I WASN’T THERE

Inspired by the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, Knight Alyxandr crafted a poem. The poem became a video. The video became a powerful message. Thank you, Knight, for sharing your work.

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In Memory: Iku “Dorothy” Amatatsu Watanabe

Sadly, BIJAC received news that Iku Amatatsu Watanabe passed away on June 28, 2020 from natural causes. She was 96 years old and the youngest and last of the Amatatsu sisters of Bainbridge Island, who all lived long, full lives. Iku was 18 years old on March 30, 1942, the day

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In Memory: Kazuo “Kayo” Terayama

KAZUO “KAYO” TERAYAMA Mar 28, 1926 – Jul 13, 2020 Kayo Kayo and Toshi Kayo Kayo and Karen Obituary Kayo passed away on July 13, 2020 at the age of 94.  He was born March 28, 1926 in Port Blakely on Bainbridge Island, WA.  He was one of six children

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BI Features Prominently in Virtual Pilgrimage

Many members of the BIJAC family have had the opportunity to experience the annual Minidoka Pilgrimage, a road trip to Twin Falls, ID followed by a dusty ride crossing the Snake River and into farm country, where a watchtower stands guard at the entrance to the Minidoka National Historic Site

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Tell A Story Without Saying Anything

College application assignment: “Submit a 3 minute silent video telling a story without saying anything.” Easy peasy, right? This was one of the daunting tasks facing Kai Uyekawa as he forged his way through college application season this past fall. Ever resourceful, Kai, a graduating senior at Bainbridge High School,

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Op Ed: Fight Back in the War Against Expertise

Soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, rumors spread that some of the Japanese American residents of Hawaii had blocked the path of emergency vehicles that were heading to the naval base to put out fires and save lives. Such incidents, it was said, showed that the nation’s Japanese

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Remembrance Ceremony: Bellevue College

Act of Bellevue College vice president defacing a mural of two Japanese American children in a World War II incarceration camp leads to a remembrance ceremony and show of support. Read on: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/bellevue-college-administrator-who-altered-display-on-japanese-american-incarceration-placed-on-leave/ Remembrance Ceremony Announcement On Tuesday, March 3rd at 1:30 p.m., there will be a short commemoration ceremony

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Bainbridge Island’s Mochi Tsuki Festival

Hot off the presses! The Kitsap Sun featured these photos on Saturday, January 4th, 2020, immediately after the close of the 31st Annual Mochi Tsuki celebration at Woodward Middle School.

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A SAKAI CELEBRATION: Bainbridge community hosts 100th birthday bash on school’s 20th anniversary

They shared their family name, and so much more. The extended Bainbridge community gathered Saturday at Sonoji Sakai Intermediate School to mark its 20th birthday and to celebrate the 100th birthday of Kay Sakai Nakao, the daughter of the school’s namesake and one whose presence has been synonymous with the

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