Between May and June 10, 2016, the International Examiner called upon readers to vote for their favorite leaders, artists, service providers, businesses, community organizations, and restaurants across 36 categories. Over 800 people cast their votes through our print and online surveys.
We will be honoring the 2016 RCA winners and the contributions of all nominees to the API community at a potluck dinner and awards ceremony. All are invited to join in the celebration, which will be held at Hing Hay Coworks on Thursday, June 16 from 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm. Please contact Lexi Potter at [email protected] with any questions.
The following are our readers’ 2016 favorites. Other close contenders (having 80+% of votes compared to the winner’s total) are listed with honorable mentions.
Favorite Local API Artist: Dean Wong
- Honorable mention: Raychelle Duazo, Lauren Iida
Favorite Local API Performing Artist: Troy Osaki
Favorite Local API Author / Writer: Sharon H. Chang
Favorite Local API Journalist: Lori Matsukawa
Favorite Local API Musician / Musical Group: Geo / Prometheus Brown
Favorite Local Art Gallery: KOBO
- Honorable mention: ArtXchange Gallery
Favorite Local Museum: The Wing Luke Museum
Favorite Local Family Business: Uwajimaya
Favorite Community Meeting & Events Space: Eastern Café
- Honorable mentions: Nagomi Tea House, Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee, Hing Hay Coworks
Favorite API Young Leader (15-30): Tony Vo
- Honorable mention: Sam Le
Favorite API Activist: Zer Vue
Favorite API Philanthropist: Tomio Moriguchi
Favorite API Educator: Zer Vue
Favorite API Executive Director: Teresita Batayola
- Honorable mention: Beth Takekawa
Favorite API Health Care Professional: Kimo Hirayama, MD
- Honorable mention: Ping Wong, LAC
Favorite Local API Politician: Former Governor Gary Locke
- Honorable mentions: Councilmember Kshama Sawant, State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos
Favorite API Student Organization: Asian Coalition for Equality (ACE UW)
Favorite API Senior Organization: International Community Health Services (ICHS)
- Honorable mention: Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS)
Favorite Local Nonprofit: The Wing Luke Museum
Favorite Business Giving to API Causes: Alaska Airlines
- Honorable mention: Boeing Employees Credit Union (BECU)
Favorite Happy Hour: Japonessa
Favorite Karaoke: Bush Garden Restaurant
Favorite Café: Eastern Café
- Honorable mention: Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee
Favorite Bakery: Yummy House Bakery
- Honorable mention: Delite Bakery
Favorite Bubble Tea: Oasis Tea Zone
Best Chinese Food: Kau Kau
- Honorable mention: Harbor City
Best Japanese Food: Maneki
Best Korean Food: Korean Tofu House
Best Indian Food: Cedars on Brooklyn
Best Thai Food: Thai Curry Simple
- Honorable mentions: Thai Tom, Buddha Ruksa
Best Vietnamese Food: Green Leaf
Best Filipino Food: Kusina Filipina
- Honorable mention: Food & Sh*t
Best Hawaiian Food: Kauai Family Restaurant
Best Local API Grocery Store: Uwajimaya
Best Desserts: Hood Famous Bakeshop
2016 Special Category – Best Pho: Pho Bac
