Vashon: Then & Now, the Voice of Vashon produced documentary series, is pleased to announce the screening of two episodes The Japanese American Presence on Vashon – Parts 1 & 2. The two shows trace the evolution of Japanese Americans on the island from early 1900 farm laborers, their integration into Vashon society, the shameful 1942 exclusion, the return of some, and concludes with an examination of Japanese American culture on Vashon today. The shows utilizes historical footage and records, video interviews, audio recordings, and touching essays on what it was like to be a Japanese American on Vashon Island from 1900 to the present.

Part 1 runs approximately 40 minutes and Part 2 is 64 minutes. Part 1 had it’s first screening at the Vashon Theatre on Tuesday, November 20, 2018. Part 2 has never been shown before.

Co-Hosts: Bruce Haulman, Meredith Yasui, Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma, Indigo Rinearson
Director: Michael Monteleone
Editor: Dennis Lambert
Producer: Susan McCabe for Voice of Vashon
Writers: Michael Monteleone, Dennis Lambert and Bruce Haulman
Special Guests: Joe Okimoto, Sam Sakamoto, Mary Matsuda-Gruenewald, Barbara Steen, Milton Mukai
Newsreader: Jeff Hoyt
Mostly True Historian: Chris Austin
Original musical compositions: Larry Lawson
Thanks: Densho, Otsuka Family, Milton Mukai, Chris Hedgepath, Lisa Hasselman

Additional funding provided by Bernie O’Malley. Produced for Voice of Vashon by Susan McCabe. Vashon: Then & Now is made possible by a grant from King County’s 4 Culture.