In this issue, we mixed it up every way we could think of, from the challenges of cross-cultural weddings, to hybrid performance artists, to innovators who use both their left brains and their right ones. We talk to South Asian emcees who are taking hip-hop into their own hands, the couple behind Pink and White Productions' sex-positive queer porn, and Robert Karimi, who blends cuisine with community. Plus, a special report on hapas, including the debate surrounding the term 'hapa', why Hapa Issues Forum closed shop, and an interview with the face of hapa: filmmaker, professor and Hyphen cover model Kip Fulbeck.

A truckload of stories about Asian Americans who are on the go. Video artist Laurel Nakadate makes art out of chance encounters on the road. Oscar winner Ruby Yang moves to Beijing to shed light on China's AIDS crisis. Yul Kwon and Mr. Hyphen talk about Asian American manpower. And "MadTV's" Bobby Lee gets naked for us. Of course, we also have stories about buses, cabs, subways and bikes. When we thought about the role of import cars — and their all-important accessory, the bikini-clad girl — we wondered how we could make it work for us. It finally clicked when we realized that our Mr. Hyphen host, comedian Ali Wong, would look killer in front of our friend's beater of an Integra.

We go searching for acts of faith in visionary and risk-taking Asian Americans, including Muslim women's activist and journalist Asra Nomani, Chinatown theater owner Frank Lee, glassblower Kana Tanaka, and a group of Filipino World War II veterans in Queens, New York. We also discuss faith of the religious variety, including an in-depth look at Asian American Jews and the rundown on a few of our favorite controversial spiritual gurus. This issue also features the winning entry in Hyphen's short story contest, “Our House Stands in a City of Flowers” by Preeta Samarasan, as well as the work of artist Ala Ebtekar, who paints on top of found prayer manuscripts in the style of Iranian miniatures to explore the crossings of spirituality and war.

Music that matters! Hyphen gets elemental with hip-hop's new school in five profiles of up-and-coming artists. A new generation of South Asian American musicians — including Alam Khan, Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale — struggle to define their own sound. Music meets design in the art of Keith Tamashiro. And bands who combine their love of video game soundtracks with classical training to create a new genre of music. Also, everything you ever wanted to know about Asian earwax, how to raise a child prodigy, "Project Runway's" Chloe Dao, "Colma: The Musical," the HIV epidemic among undocumented immigrants, and a conversation with filmmakers Mora Stephens and Eric Byler.

As adults, can we ever recapture the carefree possibility that characterized our childhood playtime? In this issue, we explore how to play as grown ups. (And no, we don't mean that kind of play, though we're fond of that too.) From Caltech students who take the Rubik's Cube to another level to four fresh faces in comedy to badminton champion Howard Bach, we talk to people for whom working hard and playing hard is the same thing. Also. Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda, why we're over Michelle Wie, the desolate landscapes of painter Maria Park, mobilizing against casinos that target Asian Americans, and the story of a group of almost-famous teenaged boys krumping in their parents' garage.

In this issue, a Hyphen reporter takes you inside Koreatown's booking clubs, going on multiple “dates” where waiters play matchmaker — dragging her from table to table to meet men. Vietnamese Americans consider how to rebuild in a post-Katrina New Orleans. And Angry Asian Man shares some of his favorite blogs. We interview Robert Sarmast, who believes he's found the insland of Atlantis; Bow Wow Wow's Annabella Lwin, author R. Zamora Linmark; and the filmmakers behind "Divided We Fall," a documentary about Sikh Americans. Also, the photography of Marvi Lacar and fiction by Lara Stapleton.

What do you get when you put together five hot Asian American athletes, a Playboy cover model, transgender Asian American women and a survey about sex? The Body Issue! Also in this issue, an astronaut tells you how to take care of your body in space, Hyphen editors review home remedies they learned from their parents, a report on the growing rates of obesity and breast cancer in Asian Americans, a haunting fashion shoot featuring the work of designer Marilyn Yu, chick lit, how Margaret Leng Tan makes toy pianos sound grand, and why New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" is the Asian American anthem.

Hyphen gets made over and we unveil our new look in this issue about change. In our main story, we talk to Korean adoptees who are flocking to their birth country in mass numbers, changing the landscape of international adoptions in the process. Gulf War veteran David Miyasato challenges orders to serve in Iraq by taking the US Army to court. And the story of China Joe, who in the midst of the gold rush, became the only Chinese person in Juneau, Alaska. Plus, five must-see Asian American films made before 1961, catching up with the first Asian American reality TV star: Dr. Pamela Ling of "The Real World," and interviews with a few three-lettered musical acts, including M.I.A and IQU.

Asian Americans have low voter turnout. No wonder candidates ignore us. But at Hyphen, the race is on to raise political clout. We ponder whether or not it's possible for Asian Americans to deliver a block vote, something the 80-20 Initiative strives to do. Mike Honda and Eddy Badrina spar on George W. Bush's record on Asian American issues. We profile politicians in seven races and report on politicians reaching out to voters in Asian languages. Plus, we rate the Asian women's mags, the story of sweatshop workers fighting back, rice rockets gone good, Vern Yip of “Trading Spaces,” writer Jeff Chang's diary, and a handy guide to R&B divas.

Get your art on. Graffiti artist David Choe tells us how he found God in a Japanese prison. Tamlyn Tomita kisses and tells. We take stock of the state of Asian American fiction on the anniversary of "Aiiieeeee!" and "The Joy Luck Club." And an N.E.R.D. show prompts a public display of Asian-ness over Chad Hugo. Plus, drag kings center stage, evil monito, the story of ping pong prodigies Justen and Alex Yao, documentary filmmakers to watch for, children's book authors, and how to avoid the dreaded Asian Glow. (We test the methods, albeit unscientifically.) This issue also features a short story by Dan Taulapapa McMullin.

How many times have you been counted, sorted, quota'd? How many times has it happened without your knowledge? In this issue, we examine the ways we are coded, from ethnic sports leagues that struggle to define their membership while preserving tradition, to the government's airline passenger screening systems. We talk to Raj Jayadev, who gives voice to workers and youth through new media; science fiction writer Cecilia Tan, songwriter Mike Park, and erotica writer Mary Anne Mohanraj. Also, the low-down on all those Asian spies, quick-hit short films online, and a photo essay in the aftermath of 9/11 by veteran photojournalist Corky Lee.

It's the Food Issue — Hyphen, style. That means you won't find recipes for 4-course meals in our pages. We're more interested in the journey that food makes to get from the land to your plate, the people behind it, and of course, food as culture. One of our editors follows a harvest of lemongrass from a California farm to a Thai restaurant, both run by Asian immigrants. Another editor reflects on a childhood spent on a farm. We also take a peek inside the home fridges of a few star chefs and are surprised by what we find. Plus, how Bollywood is overtaking Hollywood, an interview with Viet Dinh, who helped pen the Patriot Act, and filmmaker Greg Pak's diary. Also: DJ Jester, Richard Baluyut of Whysall Lane and Ruth Ozeki.

In our first issue, we pay tribute to the people who paved the way for Asian Americans in a special package about activism. Gordon Lee remembers how he and others fought to be recognized as Asian Americans 35 years ago and questions whether our radical heritage has been lost. Bob Hsiang takes intimate portraits of community activist families for us. And we search for an Asian American spokesperson. We also take a look at Cambodian Americans who suddenly face deportation and sit in on a conversation between filmmakers Justin Lin and Jon Moritsugu. Plus, interviews with Shahzia Sikander, Kid Koala, Arthur Dong, Ee and Meera Nair.