in the area of increasing access and success.

Rafu Staff WriterThe recent closure of The Hawaii Herald and The Hawaii Hochi ハワイ報知 reminds me of a trend that has continued since I started working for the Japanese American/Asian American press as a freelancer and a staff member 40 years ago.The San Francisco-based newspaper closed in 2009.

and Nikkei West in Northern California.English front page from the first issue of The Hokubei Mainichi.a bilingual newspaper serving the Chinese American and larger Asian American community.

and Nikkei Sentinel 日系みはり.since it was located outside the West Coast restricted area.

UCLAs Asian American newspaper.

has been published since 2009.Here we have second-grade level students speaking fluent Japanese.

I was watching those kids studying Japanese and English.From left: Consul General Kenko Sone.

But you know what these dual language programs have a strength by themselves.including essays written in both languages.