Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have a rich heritage thousands of years old and have both shaped the history of the United States and had their lives dramatically influenced by moments in its history. Every May during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and our partners share those histories and the continuing culture thriving in parks and communities today.

Inspired by something you've learned or found a bit of family history in a national park? Share your experiences on social media using #AANHPIHM, #AsianPacificAmericanHeritageMonth, and #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque.

AANHPI Heritage All Year

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month is meant to be a time to celebrate or commemorate together, but is not meant to be the only time of year. Find resources to learn, teach, experience, and reflect on women's history and heritage beyond May.

Photographer taking a picture of a woman in traditional Japanese attire holding a flower
Sharing History & Heritage

Discover stories and cultural heritage shared in national parks and communities across the country.

Seated Samoan dancers
Heritage Travel

Explore parks, memorials, and historic sites around the country and US territories in person or virtually.

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Educators Portal

Find distance learning opportunities, lesson plans, and other educational material about history and heritage for all age groups.

We Are AANHPI
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      Observe the power of the presence, contributions, endurance, and resiliency of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders with the National Park Service and throughout our nation's history.

      Featured Stories

      There are countless stories and historical events connected to national parks and communities shared through National Park Service programs and partners. Here are some suggestions to begin exploring or to learn more:

      Person holding a surfboard while standing in ocean waves, text reads "Koa talking to me"
      "Koa Talking to Me"

      Follow Junior's love for one of the rarest and most threatened trees in the world that helps him stay connected to his Hawaiian heritage.

      Silhouette of person against a lava eruption at night
      Voices of Science

      A podcast series takes listeners on an acoustic voyage connecting the natural and cultural worlds of Hawaii's national parks.

      Video screenshot of a ranger talking with text reading "Yenyen Chan, Park Ranger"
      A Glimpse into Chinese History

      Join a park ranger sharing the important role that Chinese immigrants played in shaping the Yosemite that we know today.

      Black and white photo of a photographer holding a camera
      Breaking Barriers

      World War II challenged American cultural beliefs, biases, and practices surrounding race, culture, and ethnicity.

      What's "Your Park Story"?

      Solace, reflection, inspiration, accomplishment, enjoyment, belonging, purpose...What powerful personal connection do you have with a place? Why is it so meaningful to you? Special places of history, nature, and enjoyment are preserved in national parks and communities across the country through our programs and partners.

      Discover "park" stories from National Park Service staff and partners. Share your park story about a place connected to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and heritage on social media using #MyParkStory.

      A Continuing Tradition of Service and Stewardship

      Before the creation of the National Park Service in 1916, many places we now preserve were and continue to be part of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities and heritage. Staff, partners, and communities have been strong voices for how these places are preserved and shaping our agency since its beginning. Today a tradition of service and stewardship continues with employees, volunteers, interns, and partners in many National Park Service career fields, including natural and cultural resource management, law enforcement, interpretation, administration, and much more.

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        • Locations: Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park
        • Offices: Youth Programs, Youth Programs Division
        Young Asian male smiling with arms crossed, wearing a light gray shirt, dark gray pants

        Meet Kai Victor, a former Mosaics in Science Biology Assistant intern at Mount Rainier National Park!

        • Locations: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
        person smiling at camera with lake, mountains and trees in the background

        Meet Leiann (Lei) De Vera, a park ranger at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in California. She started as an intern and then a Community Volunteer Ambassador before becoming a full-time employee at the park. Find out more about her journey and her love for working with young kids.

        • Locations: Alcatraz Island, Fort Point National Historic Site, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument
        • Offices: Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers Directorate, Volunteers, Youth Programs, Youth Programs Division
        Becca and Jackson at Muir Woods on Earth Day 2022

        Meet Rebecca Au and Jackson Lam!

        • Locations: Honouliuli National Historic Site, Minidoka National Historic Site
        • Offices: Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers Directorate, Youth Programs, Youth Programs Division
        Hanako standing in front of the Guard Tower at Minidoka National Historic Site

        Meet Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong, the Superintendent of Hono'uli'uli National Historic Site!

        • Locations: Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Minidoka National Historic Site
        • Offices: Youth Programs, Youth Programs Division
        Alexander Kim smiling in front of a dinosaur exhibit

        Meet Alexander Kim, the museum curator for all of the South Idaho parks, which includes Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, and Minidoka National Historic Site!

        • Locations: Point Reyes National Seashore
        • Offices: Youth Programs, Youth Programs Division
        Matt Lau surveying for nesting snowy plovers at North Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore

        Meet Matthew Lau, a biological science technician at Point Reyes National Seashore in California!

        • Locations: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
        • Offices: Youth Programs, Youth Programs Division
        Michael with park staff and others

        Meet Michael T. Newman, a Visual Information Media Specialist at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park!

        • Locations: Minidoka National Historic Site
        • Offices: Youth Programs, Youth Programs Division

        Meet Kurt Ikeda, the Director of Interpretation and Education at Minidoka National Historic Site!

      Featured Parks and Places

      Thousands of years of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and heritage are found in national parks or shared through National Park Service programs and partners in communities across the country. Begin your journey exploring some of these sites in person or virtually.

      Group holding up a dragon puppet with the Statue of Liberty in the background
      National Parks & Areas

      Explore past and present AANHPI history and heritage in places throughout the National Park System.

      One-story building on a grassy field with purple flowers
      AAPI Heritage Theme Study

      Read a theme study that identifies places of important history, including current and potential National Historic Landmarks.

      Seated Samoan dancers
      Heritage Travel

      Explore parks, memorials, and historic sites around the country and US territories in person or virtually.

      Historic color photo of a city block that is part of the Little Tokyo District
      National Register of Historic Places

      Thousands of historic places in neighborhoods across the country are recognized on the register. Start exploring with these suggestions.

      Calendar of Events

      Set the calendar to May to find in-person and virtual events, tours, festivities, and other programs hosted by national parks for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month. Use this calendar to also look ahead to find more programs throughout the year.

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      By State

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      Want to volunteer? Volunteer events will soon display directly on the NPS Event Calendar. Until then, visit Volunteer.gov to find ways to volunteer!

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      Last updated: May 4, 2023