Renovation of Historic Koura Barn
Koura Barn, October 2020 An inviting, socially-distanced, open house was held on Saturday, October 29, 2020 to re-introduce a Bainbridge Island landmark: Art Koura’s Barn. Renovation of the large, 60’x45′ barn, which was built in 1950 on the 190-acre Koura strawberry farm, was made possible by the efforts of
Usu Intrigue
Calling all community members! In the spirit of Mochi Tsuki, help solve the problem of how to fix a broken usu and maybe even mend a family feud. Recently, BIJAC received an inquiry from Port Orchard resident, Tanya Gregoire. Her story involved her heritage, a family feud, and a not-so-ordinary
USPS to Issue “Go For Broke” Stamp in 2021
On November 17, 2020, the U.S. Postal Service announced it will issue a commemorative “Go For Broke” postage stamp in 2021. “Every year, April 5 is celebrated as National “Go For Broke” Day, derived from a saying that’s known to mean “wager everything.” “Go For Broke” also happens to be
Exclusion Memorial NPS Ranger Bids Farewell
The first time Kevin Mahé sat down at a monthly BIJAC meeting he seemed prepared. Not just “prepared,” but maybe “knowledgeable”–a budding historical scholar of the Japanese American Exclusion. Clearly, he had done his homework. He introduced himself as the new National Park Service Ranger who would seasonally man the
Construction of the Exclusion Departure Deck Begins
October 5, 2020 Built at the site of the historic Eagledale Ferry Dock, the Exclusion Departure Deck at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial (BIJAEM) will be an evocative and poignant addition to this memorial of the first forced removal and exclusion of 120,000Japanese Americans during WWII. The 45-foot
BIJAC Adds Newest Member
The BIJAC community has recently expanded! Jordan Dre Takashi, grandson of members Stan Miyao and Eileen Shimose Miyao, was born on November 20th. Grandpa is thrilled to have his first grandson. As manager of merchandise sales for Mochi Tsuki, Stan could not resist–that’s Jordan stylin’ in his new baby mochi
In Memory: Yukiko Katayama Omoto
On November 6, 2020, Bainbridge Island lost its oldest remaining survivor, Yukiko Katayama Omoto, age 102. The younger daughter of Isosaburo and Tome Katayama, Yukiko was raised on the Katayama farm located at the corner of Cave Avenue and Winslow Way in downtown Winslow. The Katayamas were also greenhouse operators
Prisoner in My Homeland featured in CUNY TV’s Asian American Life
6:38 Mission US is the subject of a news segment in the November 2020 episode of CUNY TV’s series Asian American Life. Senior producer Michelle Chen discusses the development of Prisoner in My Homeland, the new educational game focused on the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans, and her
In Memory: Junji Yukawa
Sadly, BIJAC received news that Junji Yukawa passed away on November 2, 2020 at the age of 93. Junji was one of our honored survivors. He grew up on Bainbridge Island and was 13 years old on March 30, 1942, the day the Bainbridge Island Japanese were evacuated. While at
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) Introduces the Japanese American Confinement Education Act
Wednesday, October 20, 2020 “The forced internment of our fellow citizens through Executive Order 9066 is one of the darkest chapters in American history. The fact that it occurred during my lifetime highlights just how fresh of a wound this is for Japanese Americans across our country. In 1988, I
