It was founded in 1974 by Gerald Yuasa and Lawrence Imamura to serve what the founders thought were the business interests of the Asian American community in Seattle's CID.

In 2023, the IE published its 50th volume, identifying five areas of coverage: public safety, the arts, housing, transportation, cultural preservation, and commerce.

With its print editions distributed across Seattle, and articles published on a rolling basis online, its total monthly readership is estimated at 20,000.

In 1975, the Examiner was purchased by the Alaska Cannery Workers Association (ACWA) for $1 and became an activist, community-based newspaper.

Although the paper became independent three years later, it continued the tradition of community activism firmly established under the ACWA.