Someone shot Ziauddin Rizi twice on Jan 13, 2005 at 1: 46 p.m. on a quiet road near his home in the outskirts of Gilgit Town in Pakistan. The first bullet struck the left side of the Imam’s forehead, splattering brains and blood about the car he was riding in. The second bullet hit on the right side, parallel to his mouth. He died instantly. “They drive here,” Manzoor … [Read more...] about The Peace Tournament
‘Be Respectful’
One day last January at about 8:15 a.m., I found myself sitting in Mrs. Cloud’s eighth grade class at Lahaina Intermediate School. At the front of the classroom Maui Police Officer Karen Wong was talking to the students. Above her head, in a neat row were all the U.S. Presidents. The face of Lincoln is crowned by a purple halo saying “TurboCharged.” “Who can tell me what … [Read more...] about ‘Be Respectful’
The Travel Issue
Earlier this month I was sitting at the bar of the Mustafa Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, drinking a Heineken, when Dante walked in. He was wearing a white t-shirt, jeans and a heavy silver crucifix. His hair was cut short into a tight fade. He had a toothpick in his mouth and a pencil thin mustache. “Waz’ up dude,” he said. He held out a hand. “Ain’t shit,” I told … [Read more...] about The Travel Issue
The Boss
There was to be a vigil, I was told, at a public park in Kihei. It was going to be a protest on the part of Reinstated Hawaiian Nation movement. They are nationalists who seek independence from the United States government. It was to be a solemn and serious affair. I asked when it was to take place. All they said was “in the afternoon.” When I got to the park I saw … [Read more...] about The Boss
What it’s like to work in Wailuku’s hostess bars
At first glace, Lower Main in Wailuku is indistinguishable from any other gentrified industrial neighborhood. Indistinguishable, until you notice the vast proliferation of “Korean Bars” canvasing the neighborhood. Named 7 Pools, Club Starlite, Club Ocean, Club Osaka, these establishments are conspicuously anonymous. The only clue to the nature of these establishments are vague … [Read more...] about What it’s like to work in Wailuku’s hostess bars