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.

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Sharing History & Heritage

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

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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.

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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:

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"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.

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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.

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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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    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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    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