Governor Inslee has proclaimed May 2016 as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Governor Inslee has proclaimed May 2016 as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

In 2000, the Washington State Legislature declared the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. APA Heritage Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the diverse cultures of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the state of Washington. Public entities are encouraged to designate time for activities commemorating the lives, history, achievements, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Local Celebrations in Washington

Throughout the month of May, various organizations throughout the state of Washington hold events to celebrate the culture and achievements of Asian Pacific Americans. Click the link below to view a calendar of events during APA Heritage Month.

View a calendar of API events in Washington.

This calendar is provided as a service to the community and does not represent an endorsement or recommendation by our agency. If you would like to include your planned event or celebration, contact the Commission at capaa@capaa.wa.gov. Please note that event details are subject to change.

Date               Event Presented By Location
April 24 Filipin@ History of Seattle BAYAN Pacific NorthWest Eastern Hotel

506 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, Washington 98104
April 26 10 Year Anniversary Celebration Southeast Asian Young Men’s Group Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS)

3639 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, Washington 98144
April 29 Polynesian Day 2016 UW Polynesian Student Alliance Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center
April 30 White Center Cambodian New Year Street Festival Cambodian Cultural Alliance of Washington Golden House Bakery

9823 15th Ave SW, Seattle, Washington 98106
April 30 C.A.C.A. Annual Banquet Chinese American Citizens Alliance China Harbor Restaurant
April 30 Micronesia Night 2016 UW Micronesian Islands Club Husky Union Building
4001 E Stevens Way NE, Seattle, Washington 98195
April 30 Hui ‘O Nani Annual Luau Seattle University’s Hui ‘O Nani Hawaii Seattle University Campion Ballroom

914 E Jefferson St, Seattle, Washington 98122
April 30 Annual Sukiyaki Dinner Highland Park United Methodist Church Ellis Hall
611 S Garfield St
Spokane, WA 99202
April 30 Hui ‘O Hawaii Annual Luau Eastern Washington Hui ‘O Hawaii Pence Union Building
212 PUB
Cheney, WA 99004
May 1 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration Asian Pacific Directors Coalition Seattle Center Armory
May 1 Kodomo no Hi Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington JCCCW
1414 South Weller Street
Seattle, WA 98144
May 4 Contemporary Issues & Innovations in the Cambodian Community AANAPISI, Highline College Highline College
Building 10, Room 103
May 6 Holi Festival 2016 Indian Student Association UW Rainier Vista
May 6 Dear Nanay: Wellness for our Mothers and our Motherland Anakbayan Seattle Refresh Frozen Desserts & Espresso
1620 Broadway, Ste 100D, Seattle, Washington 98122
May 7 Xuân Festival: “Tôi Là Người Việt Nam” (“I Am Vietnamese”) Seattle University Vietnamese Student Association Seattle University Campion Ballroom
914 E Jefferson St, Seattle, Washington 98122
May 7 Te Fare O Tamatoa Showcase Te Fare O Tamatoa Highline Performing Arts Center
401 S 152nd St, Burien, Washington 98148
May 7 Barrio Fiesta Central Washington University FASA Central Washington University
Barto Lawn
May 17 We Are Seattle: Stories from Families, Immigrants, Refugees, and the Agencies That Serve Them The Seattle Public LIbrary The Seattle Public Library
Central Library, 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, Washington 98104
May 19 Delano Manongs Film Screening Filipino American National Historical Society Hing Hay Coworks
409 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, Washington 98104
May 20 Experience the Wing: AAPI History, Culture and Current Issues AANAPISI, Highline College Wing Luke Museum
May 21 AAPI Heritage Month Luau AANAPISI, Highline College Highline College
Building 9, Room 215
May 21 Spring Lūʻau 2016: Holomua University of Washington Hui Hoaloha ʻUlana Husky Union Building
4001 E Stevens Way NE, Seattle, Washington 98195
May 21 Rang Barse 2016 India Association of Western Washington Blakely Hall At Issaquah Highlands
2550 NE Park Dr, Issaquah, Washington 98029
May 25 API Chaya Meet and Greet API Chaya Eastern Cafe
510 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, Washington 98104
May 27 Taste of Korea Korean Women’s Association Star Center
3873 S. 66th St. Metro Parks, Tacoma WA 98409
May 28 KERATON 2016: Indonesian Festival Indonesian Student Association at the University of Washington University of Washington
Seattle, Washington 98105
May 28 Seeing the Light: Book reading with Dean Wong Wing Luke Museum Wing Luke Museum
719 S King St, Seattle, Washington 98104

APA Heritage Month Resources

Heritage Resource Guide

The APA Heritage Resource Guide is intended to help you develop and integrate Asian Pacific American (APA) history into curriculum and teaching strategies. This guide offers an overview and history of Asian Pacific Americans in Washington State. It offers ways to understand themes around migration, labor, community development, political empowerment, identity, citizenship, and cultural similarities and differences. With specific activities and recommendations to effectively help students understand such issues at all grade levels, the guide recommends select videos and resources for the classroom.

View the Heritage Resource Guide here.

How to Celebrate API Heritage Month at Your School or Organization

K-12 Schools:

  • Discuss Asian Pacific American history in class
  • Create a school display with traditional clothes, cultural artifacts, and other heritage objects
  • Hold a school assembly celebrating APA Heritage Month featuring cultural showcases

Public and Private Organizations:

Celebrating ethnic heritage months will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, enabling you to effectively address the needs of rapidly growing API communities.

  • Recognize API Heritage Month via social media, website, or newsletter
  • Create a display in your office featuring APA Heritage Month celebration posters, cultural artifacts, and API community newspapers
  • Host gatherings featuring APA speakers to better understand your Asian Pacific American constituents

To learn more about the achievements of Asians and Pacific Islanders, check out our Facebook page for weekly facts during the month of May.