📌APIA Every Day (183) - Located in Riverside, California were two Chinatowns, both now gone but well-documented through local interest and archaeological work. The first Chinatown was established in the downtown area on Ninth Street, including laundries, small restaurants, and other businesses. After a fire destroyed it, a second Chinatown was established in 1885 in the Tequesquite Arroyo near Mt. Rubidoux. Known as "Little Gom-Benn," this community had up to 400 residents, many from the Gom-Benn village in the Toishan region of southern China.

Wong Nim, Wong Gee, and Gin Duey leased 7 acres of land outside Riverside's Mile Square in 1885 and became full owners of Riverside's second Chinatown by 1888. Despite a coal stove explosion destroying the community in 1893, they rebuilt the area, which thrived until the 1920s. During peak seasons, up to 3,000 Chinese laborers lived in or near the groves, picking and packing fruit. By the 1930s, however, the community declined due to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and decreasing Chinese population. George Wong, an early resident, became the last caretaker of Chinatown until his death in 1974.

In 1968, Riverside Chinatown was designated as a historic resource and later listed as a State Point of Historical Interest and a City landmark. Following George Wong's death, the site was purchased by the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, leading to archaeological testing by the Great Basin Foundation in 1984, which unearthed significant artifacts and preserved most of the site for future study. Despite a development threat in 2008, the Save Our Chinatown Committee successfully overturned the city's approval for a medical office building in 2012, ensuring the preservation of Riverside Chinatown's historical legacy.

Today, the site of Riverside's second Chinatown is marked but closed to the public, surrounded by a chain-link fence with a historical marker at the corner of Tequesquite and Palm Avenues. The Chinese Pavilion in downtown Riverside serves as a memorial to the former Chinese community. Many descendants of Riverside's Chinese residents have resettled in other parts of Southern California and formed the Gom-Benn Village Society, which continues to hold annual meetings in Los Angeles. The Riverside Chinatown archaeological site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

📌APIA Every Day (182) - The Asan Beach Unit, one of the seven units in the War in the Pacific National Park, has a varied historical background. Originally, the site hosted a leper colony from 1892 until a typhoon destroyed it in 1900. In 1901, the area was converted into a prison camp for Filipino insurrectionists. During World War I in 1917, it became a detention site for German sailors from the SMS Cormoran. By 1922, the site had been repurposed as a U.S. Marine Corps camp, featuring a quartermaster depot, small arms range, and barracks.

During World War II, Asan Beach's strategic importance increased significantly. In 1941, Japanese forces began reconnaissance missions over Guam and bombed the island in early December, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This led to the Japanese occupation of Guam. The local CHamoru population was subjected to forced labor, including the construction of defensive structures and cultivation of food for Japanese troops. The U.S. began an extensive bombardment of Asan and Agat beaches on June 16, 1944, in preparation for a planned invasion. Despite delays due to other engagements, the invasion was rescheduled for July 21, 1944.

On July 21, 1944, U.S. Marines landed on Asan Beach under heavy Japanese defense. The Marines managed to secure the area by July 28, though fighting continued until August 10. Following World War II, the area served various purposes, including as a Navy Seabees headquarters and a Vietnamese refugee camp. It is now part of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, which preserves historical resources and memorials related to the Battle of Guam, such as the Liberator's Memoria. The retaking of Guam is commemorated annually on July 21st, known as “Liberation Day.”

📌APIA Every Day (181) - The USC Pacific Asia Museum, located in Pasadena, is housed in the historic Grace Nicholson Building, a Chinese-style mansion completed in 1924. Grace Nicholson, born in Philadelphia in 1877, moved to California in 1901 and established a curio shop in Pasadena, initially focusing on Southwestern Native American art. Her expertise and growing interest in Asian art led her to commission the construction of the building, designed by the architectural firm Marston, Van Pelt, and Maybury, inspired by the Imperial Palace Courtyard style of Beijing. The building, featuring authentic Chinese materials and craftsmanship, opened in 1925, becoming a cultural hub with galleries, an auditorium, and Nicholson's private apartment.

Grace Nicholson donated the building to the City of Pasadena in 1943, retaining her private quarters until her death in 1948. The Pasadena Art Institute, later renamed the Pasadena Art Museum, occupied the building until 1970. In 1971, the Pacificulture Foundation moved in, and in 1987, the foundation purchased the building, transforming it into the Pacific Asia Museum. In 2013, the museum partnered with the University of Southern California, becoming the USC Pacific Asia Museum. The building is celebrated for its historical and architectural significance, with a courtyard inspired by traditional Chinese gardens and symbolic elements like Taihu rocks, dragons, and koi ponds. The Grace Nicholson Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and has been designated as a Cultural Heritage Landmark by Pasadena and Los Angeles, as well as a Historical Landmark by the State of California.

📌APIA Every Day (180) - The Japanese Gulch, a segregated area for Japanese immigrants in Mukilteo, Washington, was formed in the early 1900s. During this time, the town hosted a significant population of Japanese immigrants, primarily due to the Crown Lumber Company’s recruitment efforts. They worked at the lumber mill and resided in company-owned housing near the mill site. Despite the segregation, they engaged in efforts to assimilate by attending church, learning English, and sending their children to local schools, while also retaining aspects of their Japanese heritage.

Japanese immigrants initially came to the Puget Sound region in the 1890s, seeking better economic opportunities amid social and economic upheaval in Japan. They found work in industries such as railroad construction, logging, and fishing. In Mukilteo, Japanese laborers were crucial to the Crown Lumber Company's operations. The company, facing a shortage of white laborers, recruited Japanese workers who earned a reputation for their hard work and reliability. This created a relatively peaceful coexistence in Mukilteo, unlike other areas where Japanese workers faced significant hostility and violence. While they participated in local activities and integrated into the broader society, they still faced economic limitations and social challenges.

The Crown Lumber Company’s closure in 1930 led to the dispersal of the Japanese community as residents moved in search of new opportunities. The area reverted to its natural state, with few physical traces of the once-thriving community remaining. The social history of Mukilteo, Washington, has made Japanese Gulch eligible for National Historic Landmark status under Criterion 6 for Archaeology, as suggested in the AAPI National Historic Landmark Theme Study.

📌APIA Every Day (179) - China Alley in Hanford, California, is a historic district established in the 1870s during the expansion of the Southern Pacific Railroad. As the railroad extended through the area, many Chinese laborers arrived to work on the railway and later on the farms. These immigrants primarily came from the Sam Yup region in Guangdong province, consisting of the three counties of Namhoi, Poonyu, and Shuntak. Initially, the community provided essential services and labor for the burgeoning town of Hanford, which was rapidly developing in California’s Central Valley.

The Chinese community in Hanford faced segregation and discrimination but still managed to create a vibrant and self-sufficient ethnic neighborhood known as China Alley. This area soon included a wide range of establishments, such as homes, restaurants, boarding houses, general merchandise stores, herb shops, groceries, laundries, gambling establishments, a Chinese school, and the Kwan Tai Temple, which was constructed in 1882. Over the years, China Alley became a bustling "city within a city," where residents maintained their cultural traditions and businesses. Despite the challenges posed by segregation and local ordinances, the Chinese community managed to thrive and sustain their unique cultural identity within Hanford. The population of China Alley began to decline during World War II, as many residents moved away or integrated into broader American society.

In the 1970s, the China Alley Preservation Society (CAPS) was formed to address the deteriorating condition of the Taoist Temple and other historic buildings. The society’s efforts led to the cleaning, research, and curation of the Taoist Temple Museum, which opened in 1982. In 2011, China Alley was listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places due to threats from disuse, deferred maintenance, water damage, and vandalism. Although a fire in 2021 heavily damaged the Taoist Temple Museum, restoration efforts are ongoing. Today, the preservation of China Alley continues to highlight the historical and cultural significance of this Chinese American experience in California.

📌APIA Every Day (178) - The Rohwer Relocation Center Memorial Cemetery, located in Desha County, Arkansas, is one of the few remaining Japanese American incarceration site cemeteries in the U.S. Established during World War II, the cemetery was built by Japanese Americans incarcerated at the Rohwer Relocation Center from 1942 to 1945 [See Day 160 Post]. It features several monuments, including those honoring Japanese American soldiers who were drafted during the war. The cemetery includes historic monuments, concrete headstones, entrance markers, and a bench, all designed and constructed by the incarcerated Japanese Americans. Additionally, 17 flowering cherry trees were planted in 1994 to replicate the original design, which included water features and bridges.

In 1945, two large concrete monuments were erected in the Rohwer Memorial Cemetery. The first monument, adorned with floral patterns and artwork reflective of Japanese and American cultures, was dedicated to all those who died while incarcerated at the center. The second monument commemorates the young men from Rohwer who served and died in Europe as part of the U.S. Army’s 100th Battalion and 442nd Combat Team. In 1982, a granite monument with a bronze eagle was added to honor both Japanese American incarcerees and soldiers who died during the war. The cemetery was designated a National Historic Landmark a decade later in 1992 and has been preserved and documented through grants and efforts from various organizations, ensuring its history and significance are not forgotten.

When Rohwer officially closed in 1945, its buildings were auctioned off and removed, with the land repurposed for agriculture. Most of the Japanese Americans left Arkansas, either returning to the West Coast or relocating elsewhere in the U.S. A total of 168 Japanese Americans died at Rohwer, with those who chose burial laid to rest in the Rohwer Memorial Cemetery. Today, only the cemetery and a deteriorating smokestack from the hospital remain of the original center, serving as a reminder of the tragic events that occurred not only at this site but also at the nearby Jerome incarceration camp.

📌APIA Every Day (177) - Old Vatia is one of the ancient villages on Tutuila Island in American Samoa, located on the north shore at Vatia Bay. The village is accessible by American Samoa Highway 006, which is the only road passing through the National Park of American Samoa. Nestled at the base of Pola Ridge, surrounded by lush greenery and jungle-covered peaks, Vatia is the central point in the Tutuila-section of the park and is part of Vaifanua County.

Vatia, literally translating to “between the tombs of those with paramount status,” has a rich history dating back to its original inhabitants living on a narrow ridge known as Toafaiga in the 18th century. Archaeological excavations in the 1980s uncovered remnants of various structures and house foundations, including one constructed from coral slabs that may have served as a ceremonial or communal gathering place. The remains found in Old Vatia have been dated to between 1300 AD and 1750 AD. These findings reveal well-preserved house platforms atop earthen mounds encircled by basalt boulders, offering invaluable insights into the history of Polynesian Samoans.

During World War II, several concrete bunkers were constructed in Vatia, and their remnants can still be seen around the beach area. The road between Vatia and Afono is noted for its ornamental plant and flower gardens. At the end of this road in Vatia is a school, with a trail starting beyond it that leads into the national park and ends at a rocky cliff facing Pola Island. Many residents of Vatia work at the canneries in Pago Pago, and there is public transportation available via Aiga buses that travel between Fagatogo and Vatia. Additionally, the waters near Vatia witnessed the return of Apollo 11 to Earth in 1969, with a copy of the American Samoan flag carried by the mission now displayed at the Jean P. Haydon Museum in Pago Pago. There is still much to learn about the history and events that occurred in Vatia, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

Loaloa Heiau, situated in Kaupo on the Island of Maui, is the largest and best-preserved luakini heiau on the island. The heiau overlooks the rural community of Kaupo, with views of the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Manawainui Valley to the north. Historically, early Hawaiian shrines were simple structures built by families and small communities. As the population grew and religious practices evolved, larger heiau were constructed for public ceremonies. The ali'i (chiefs) worshiped four major gods—Lono, Kane, Kanaloa, and Ku—while commoners worshiped individual family gods and the major gods under the direction of high priests.

Loaloa Heiau, built around 1730 for ali'i 'ai moku Kekaulike, ruler of Maui, exemplifies a luakini heiau. The structure features a three-tiered rectangular raised platform, divided into eastern and western sections by a stone wall, with overall dimensions of 115 feet by 500 feet. The walls are terraced for stability. Heiau in ancient Hawaii varied in size and function, from single upright stones to large, complex structures. Larger heiau were typically built by the ali'i, and the most complex, the luakini heiau, could only be constructed by an ali'i 'ai moku (paramount chief). These heiau were used for rituals involving human or animal sacrifice and symbolized the paramount chief's authority over his lands and people.

In 1802, Kamehameha I, while en route to conquer Kauai, stopped at Maui and rebuilt Loaloa Heiau, dedicating it to Ku. Following Kamehameha I's unification of the Hawaiian Islands, the influence of Maui's ali'i 'ai moku and religious centers like Kaupo declined. The traditional Hawaiian religious system was further dismantled in 1819 when Kamehameha's successor, Liholiho, ended the kapu system, leading to the abandonment and ruin of many heiau, including Loaloa Heiau. This marked a significant shift in Hawaiian culture as many ancient religious sites fell into disuse. Because of its significant cultural importance, it was designated a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

📌APIA Every Day (175) - Dr. Margaret “Mom” Jessie Chung was the first Chinese American woman to become a physician, opening one of the first Western hospitals in San Francisco’s Chinatown in the 1920s. Born in Santa Barbara, California, in 1889 to Chinese immigrant parents, she was the eldest of eleven children and helped raise her siblings. Determined to become a medical missionary, she worked her way through medical school at the University of Southern California, graduating in 1916. After being rejected by the Presbyterian missionary board because of her race, she pursued a career in medicine, first as a surgical nurse and later as a surgeon, eventually opening a private practice that served Hollywood celebrities.

In 1922, Dr. Chung moved to San Francisco and established a clinic in Chinatown to provide medical care to Chinese women. She faced skepticism and rumors due to her status as a young, single woman who wore masculine clothing. Despite these challenges, she attracted a diverse clientele, including non-Chinese patients and members of the LGBTQ+ community. During World War II, she became known for her connections with her “adopted sons,” American military soldiers, sailors, and airmen. These "sons" and their guests, including movie stars and military officials, were frequently hosted at her San Francisco home for weekly dinners. Dr. Chung used her influence to support the Allied war effort and lobbied for the creation of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services (WAVES), the women’s branch of the naval reserves, despite facing prejudice due to her race, gender, and sexuality.

Dr. Chung passed away from cancer in 1959 at the age of 69, and her contributions to the medical field are still remembered today. A memorial to Chung is included in the Chicago Legacy Project’s Legacy Walk, honoring the accomplishments of LGBTQ people.

📌APIA Every Day (174) - Amot Taotao Tano Farm, located in Dededo, Guam, has been a vital part of the community since its establishment in 2010 by Bernice Tudela Nelson. The farm spans 2.5 acres and contains over 200 medicinal plants, many native to Guam and others from places like China, the Philippines, Japan, Pohnpei, Palau, and the U.S. The name 'Amot Taotao Tano' translates to "Medicine for the People of the Land" reflecting the farm's mission to protect and preserve Guam's native medicinal plants while perpetuating CHamoru traditional healing practices which is currently a dying practice.

Bernice Nelson, inspired by her suruhana (traditional healer) aunt, dedicated herself to traditional medicine and healing later in life. Her passion for herbal medicine and traditional CHamoru practices led her to open the farm, where she has been educating various groups, organizations, and families about the importance and use of these medicinal plants for over a decade. The farm also aims to teach CHamoru youths about traditional healing practices, emphasizing the spiritual aspect of medicine preparation, often incorporating prayers like "Hail Mary" during the process.

Recently, the farm's future has become uncertain due to a lease issue with the CHamoru Land Trust Commission (CLTC). Bernice applied for a small business assistance loan to help repair damages sustained from Typhoon Mawar, which brought attention to her lease. Under the Organic Act, Bernice needed to prove that her family was living on Guam before 1950 to keep the land lease. She faced challenges finding the necessary documentation due to incomplete records from that time. Eventually, she managed to gather evidence, including her grandfather's birth and baptism certificates, proving her family's residency before 1950. Despite this, the final decision lies with the CLTC board, which is expected to meet soon to determine the fate of the farm. However, there is hope that Amot Taotao Tano Farm can continue to serve its mission in preserving traditional healing practices for future generations

📌APIA Every Day (173) - Dr. Kazue Togasaki, born in 1897 to Japanese immigrant parents in San Francisco, was one of the first two Japanese American women to earn a medical degree in the U.S. Following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fires, she witnessed her mother convert their church into a makeshift hospital. This experience inspired Togasaki and several of her siblings to pursue careers in medicine.

Togasaki earned a degree in Zoology from Stanford University but struggled to find work in San Francisco due to racial discrimination. She faced similar treatment when she was younger, being forced to switch schools due to racial segregation. Despite excelling in a nursing program, she was not hired. Undeterred, she attended medical school at the Women’s College of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1933 [See Day 80 Post on Anandi Gopal Joshi who also graduated]. Upon returning to San Francisco, she established a medical practice and became a key healthcare provider for the Japanese American community. However, the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 led to the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans, including Togasaki, who was sent to multiple American concentration camps. There, she set up medical facilities and provided essential care, including delivering over 50 babies in her first month at the Tanforan Assembly Center.

After her release in 1943, Togasaki returned to her home in San Francisco, which had been ransacked during her forced imprisonment. She rebuilt her medical practice and continued to serve the community for over 40 years. In 1970, she was recognized as one of the "Most Distinguished Women" by the San Francisco Examiner. Dr. Kazue Togasaki passed away in 1992 at the age of 95, leaving a lasting impact on the healthcare landscape for Japanese Americans in San Francisco.

📌APIA Every Day (172) - The Queen’s Medical Center, originally known as the Queen’s Hospital, was founded in 1859 at Manamana in Honolulu, Hawaii. King Kamehameha IV highlighted Hawaii’s population decline due to diseases introduced by foreigners in his 1855 speech to the Hawaiian Legislature. He proposed two acts: "An Act to Institute Hospitals for the Sick Poor," aimed at establishing hospitals in Honolulu and Lahaina, and the "Act to Mitigate the Evils and Diseases Arising from Prostitution," which included measures to combat venereal diseases through registration and examination of prostitutes.

In 1859, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma personally raised funds and contributed their own money to establish The Queen's Hospital. The initial building, made from coral blocks and California redwood, was completed at Manamana for $14,728.92. It opened in 1860, providing healthcare services during ongoing health crises, including smallpox epidemics affecting the Hawaiian population.

The hospital expanded over the years and eventually relocated to downtown Honolulu. In 1967, it was renamed The Queen's Medical Center to better represent its growth and stature as Hawaii's largest private hospital. Today, The Queen's Medical Center continues to fulfill its founders' mission, offering comprehensive healthcare services to Native Hawaiians and all residents of Hawaii. Known for its advanced medical facilities, including the state's largest MRI, it remains a crucial part of Hawaii's healthcare system, prioritizing community health and well-being.

📌APIA Every Day (171) - In the late 19th century, Dr. Chang Gee Wo became a prominent Chinese physician in Omaha, Nebraska. His practice, located at 519 1/2 North 16th Street, offered free consultations and operated daily. Dr. Chang specialized in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, providing various patent medicines for different ailments. These included remedies like the "Last Manhood Cure," "Sick Headache Cure," and "Female Weakness Cure," each priced at $1. These medicines were prepared by the Chinese Medicine Company, which had its headquarters in Omaha and an office in Beijing.

Despite his success and popularity, Dr. Wo faced significant challenges due to racial discrimination toward Chinese immigrants and traditional Chinese medicine. Many Chinese doctors, including Dr. Wo, were often labeled as "quacks" by the American medical establishment and faced legal and social persecution. The medical community and law enforcement frequently targeted Chinese physicians, accusing them of practicing without proper licenses and seeking to undermine their businesses through regulations and sting operations.

Eventually, Dr. Wo relocated his practice to Portland, Oregon, where he continued to operate under the banner of the Chinese Medicine Company. His advertisements from the early 20th century indicate that he maintained a presence in Portland's medical market until at least 1924. Dr. Wo's career illustrates the broader challenges faced by Chinese immigrants and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine in the United States during this period. Their contributions to healthcare were often marginalized, and they had to navigate a hostile environment that questioned their legitimacy and sought to exclude them from the medical profession.

📌APIA Every Day (170) - Esther Hipol Simpson, born on November 27, 1945, in Pacdal, Baguio City, Philippines, earned her nursing degree from St. Paul College in Manila in 1967 and a Master's in Nursing from the University of the Philippines in Diliman before immigrating to the United States in 1973. She started her nursing career at Roosevelt Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, during a period when the U.S. faced a shortage of nurses in inner-city and rural hospitals. Filipino nurses, trained in Americanized medical programs, were specifically recruited starting in the late 1960s, and tens of thousands immigrated to the U.S. under the Immigration Act of 1965.

In 1975, after a couple of years in the U.S., Esther married Bill Simpson, and the following year they had their only son, Richie. The family relocated to Washington in 1982, where Esther worked at Harbor View Hospital for a year before spending the next 30 years at the VA Hospital in Seattle, Washington, until her retirement in 2014.

Beyond her nursing career, Esther was deeply involved in activist efforts, particularly in defending Filipino nurses against racial and gender discrimination. Notably, she supported Filipina nurses Filipina Narciso and Leonara Perez, who were wrongfully accused of poisoning patients at the V.A. Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Esther, alongside the KDP and the Chicago Support Group for the Defense of the Narciso-Perez Case, advocated for their defense through forums, fundraisers, and demonstrations, leading to the dismissal of the case in February 1978.

Throughout her career, Esther was a distinguished nurse and a prominent leader in her community. She served as President of the Filipino Nurses Association and actively participated in numerous associations, including the Filipino Community of Seattle and the KDP, Union of Democratic Filipinos. Even after retirement, Esther continued to make a significant impact, contributing to the KDP book "A Time to Rise." She passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of activism and dedication to the Filipino community.

📌APIA Every Day (169) - The Chinese Hospital, located in San Francisco’s Chinatown, is the city's only remaining independent community hospital. Established in 1899 as the Tung Wah Dispensary, it initially served Chinese immigrants excluded from mainstream healthcare services. The dispensary was staffed by both Western-trained physicians and Chinese herbalists.

After the 1906 earthquake, the Chinese Hospital Association was formed in 1923, leading to the opening of a new facility at 835 Jackson Street in 1925. This hospital was the first and only one of its kind in the country. In 1979, a new healthcare facility was built to meet growing demands and new hospital requirements.

In the 1980s, amidst the emergence of managed care, the Chinese Community Health Care Association (CCHCA) and the Chinese Community Health Plan (CCHP) were created to ensure continued care within the Chinese Hospital Health System. To address the community’s growing needs, several community clinics were opened. In 2012, the original building was torn down to construct a new acute care facility, which opened in 2016 as The New Chinese Hospital. This new facility included an integrative Chinese Medicine clinic, East West Health Services, and an outpatient center in Daly City. In 2018, a new East West Health Services clinic opened at 445 Grant Ave, San Francisco.

The hospital celebrated its 125th anniversary this past year on May 9 and was recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Hospitals in California. Recently, Assemblyman Phil Ting announced a $5 million state budget allocation for a new 23-bed subacute-care unit, addressing a critical need in the Bay Area, which is expected to open in a year. This follows a previous $5 million budget allocation in 2022 for infrastructure upgrades. The Chinese Hospital symbolizes the efforts made by the Chinese community to care for their own when refused by other healthcare services, emphasizing the hospital’s evolution from exclusion to inclusivity.

📌APIA Every Day (168) - Mai's Restaurant, Houston's first Vietnamese restaurant, was founded in 1978 by Phin and Phac Nguyen to support their family of eight children. The Nguyen family immigrated to South Dakota in 1975, securing sponsorship from a local family. About three years later, they moved to Houston, seeking a climate similar to Vietnam's. Upon settling in Houston, they opened a pool hall with a buffet but quickly realized that more people came for the food than the pool. This pool hall soon transformed into Mai’s Restaurant.

They named the restaurant after their daughter Mai for its simple pronunciation and significant meaning, "golden flower," symbolizing prosperity and luck. Over the years, Mai's gained popularity for its authentic Vietnamese cuisine. In 1990, ownership of the restaurant was passed to Mai, and a year later, Mai's Restaurant officially introduced Vietnamese cuisine to Houston, receiving local media coverage thanks to its loyal patrons. In 2002. Anthony Bourdain praised its authentic and memorable Vietnamese cooking.

On February 15, 2010, an accidental fire destroyed Mai's Restaurant, prompting a rebuilding effort led by Mai's daughter, Anna Pham. The incident significantly impacted both the family and the Houston community, as Mai's was considered a city landmark. When Mai's finally reopened on April 26, 2011, the mayor declared it Mai’s Restaurant Day.

Today, Mai's remains under family management, blending traditional Vietnamese recipes with updated menu offerings and a refreshed dining environment. Anna Pham now oversees daily operations alongside her mother, Mai Nguyen, navigating the challenges of a dynamic restaurant scene while preserving Mai's legacy in Houston.

📌APIA Every Day (167) - Dong Il Jang, established in 1979 by Sung Kim, was one of the first Korean restaurants in Los Angeles' Koreatown, an ethnic neighborhood formed in the 1980s. Known for its unchanged menu, the restaurant featured Korean steak tartare and banquet-style grilled Korean barbecue. It also offered Japanese dishes like sukiyaki and teriyaki, honoring its namesake, a sukiyaki restaurant in Seoul founded by Kim's father in 1945. Dong Il Jang became a beloved spot with a nostalgic, 1950s LA atmosphere, featuring dim lighting, red vinyl booths, retro tables, and scripture-adorned wallpaper. Despite its popularity, the restaurant struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually closing its doors, marking the end of an era for a cultural and culinary landmark in Koreatown.

Roy Kim later assumed management of Dong Il Jang, which became a popular venue for celebrations within the Korean community, amplified by its feature on Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” series in 2013. However, their success was disrupted when the pandemic hit, and their transition to takeout services proved challenging. Later that year, Dong Il Jang closed permanently on August 15, 2020. How can we best honor the legacy of Asian American restaurants following their closure and their cultural contributions to Los Angeles’ Koreatown? Additionally, how can we gain a clearer understanding of the impact on small Asian businesses during the pandemic, particularly considering the challenges caused by anti-Asian sentiment?

📌APIA Every Day (166) - The Pekin Noodle Parlor in Butte, Montana, is recognized as the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the United States. Established in 1909 by Tam Kwong Yee and Hum Yow, it originally served as a noodle parlor and general store catering primarily to Butte's mining community. Over the years, it transitioned into a popular gathering spot, offering a menu featuring staple Chinese American dishes such as chop suey, chow mein, and lo mein. The restaurant also housed a basement gambling parlor until the 1950s.

Chinese immigrants were drawn to Butte in the late 19th century due to opportunities in the mining industry, particularly the extraction of copper. Many Chinese laborers contributed to building essential infrastructure like railroads, including the transcontinental railroad. Alongside their labor roles, they established businesses such as laundries, restaurants, and shops, which played crucial roles in supporting and integrating into Butte's diverse community.

Despite facing challenges like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which restricted Chinese immigration, Butte's Chinese American community, exemplified by figures like Yee and Yow of the Pekin Noodle Parlor, left a lasting imprint on the Butte-Anaconda Historic District [See Day 116 Post]. Today, under Jerry Tam's management, the Pekin Noodle Parlor remains operational and has garnered recognition, including being designated as an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2023. It symbolized Butte's multicultural heritage and continues to serve as a popular destination for both locals and visitors seeking traditional Chinese American cuisine.

📌APIA Every Day (165) - Thanh Long, situated in San Francisco, California, is one of the Bay Area's earliest Vietnamese restaurants. Established in 1971 by Diana An, a Vietnamese immigrant, the restaurant was originally purchased as an Italian deli in the Outer Sunset upon her arrival in the U.S. Following the fall of Saigon, the rest of the An family joined her and lived together in Diana’s one-bedroom apartment above the deli. Initially serving Italian cuisine, the menu gradually integrated Vietnamese-inspired dishes once Diana’s daughter-in-law, Helene An, took charge of the kitchen. Within a year, Helene learned English, became a CPA, and balanced accounting during the day while managing the deli at night. Around 1978, she created the restaurant's signature garlic noodles, blending French, European, and Vietnamese influences into a unique "Euro-Asian" fusion. This evolution led to the transformation of the Italian deli into the notable Thanh Long restaurant.

The restaurant gained prominence in the 1980s for its seafood offerings, drawing a diverse clientele that included celebrities like Robin Williams and Danny Glover. Building on Thanh Long’s success, the An family expanded their culinary ventures with Crustacean, first in San Francisco and later in Beverly Hills. These ventures marked milestones in introducing high-end Vietnamese fusion cuisine to a global audience. Just before the pandemic, Chef Helene An, along with Elizabeth An and granddaughter Bosilika An, launched Da Lat Rose, aiming to showcase authentic Vietnamese flavors and provide a platform for young chefs to reimagine traditional dishes.

In May 2019, Chef Helene An received the Pioneer Award in Culinary Arts from the Smithsonian Institute. This prestigious honor was presented during the first-ever Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center celebration, recognizing her significant contributions to culinary arts, particularly in introducing and popularizing Vietnamese flavors in mainstream American cuisine.

📌APIA Every Day (164) - The Mukai Cold Process Fruit Barreling Plant's history begins with Denichiro "B.D." Mukai, who emigrated from Japan to the United States in the late 19th century. After various jobs in San Francisco, Mukai and his wife Sato moved to Seattle following the 1906 earthquake and later relocated to Vashon Island around 1910 to start a strawberry farming business. The Mukai’s became successful tenant farmers, hiring other Japanese laborers and introducing efficient practices like using a barge to transport berries to market.

In 1924, the Mukai’s established their first barreling plant to preserve strawberries, allowing them to bypass Seattle wholesalers and sell directly to larger distribution companies. This innovation significantly impacted the industry by enabling direct sales to makers of preserves and ice cream. Unable to own land due to restrictions on Japanese immigrants, the Mukai family purchased a 40-acre site in 1926 under their son's name, Masa. Masa Mukai later took over the business, contributing to advancements in frozen fruit techniques and managing the operation. The farm continued to prosper during the Depression, employing over 400 workers annually to help pack and ship 200 tons of strawberries.

During World War II, the Mukai family fled to Oregon due to Executive Order 9066 moving outside the exclusion zone, and thus were not imprisoned as were the other Japanese families on Vashon. From Oregon, they managed to maintain their business connections. After the war, they returned to Vashon Island, though the strawberry business had declined. Masa Mukai shifted focus to engineering and construction, eventually selling off the Vashon properties. The Mukai Cold Process Fruit Barreling Plant was designated a King County landmark in 1993 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Nearly a decade later, restoration efforts began in 2001 led by non-profit organizations, resulting in significant structural improvements and the preservation of the historic site. Due to concern over the future stewardship of the resource, a group of Vashon residents formed Friends of Mukai to work toward the long-term preservation.