Celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions, histories and contributions of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people in the United States.

Origins and history of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The first presidential proclamation for “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week” was signed in May 1979 by President Jimmy Carter. In 1990, Congress passed a law expanding the observance to a month-long recognition for that year. It became an official month-long observance in 1992.

Movements for inclusion

As seen in the recent name change from “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month” to “Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month,” movements for better representation are taking place. This is because, even during Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders are often excluded or overlooked.

The Pasifika communities — Pacific Islander or Pasifika people are those originating or living in Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia — have diverse cultures and unique experiences. By disaggregating “Native Hawaiian” and “Pacific Islander” from the umbrella terminology “Asian /Pacific,” the diverse narratives of Pasifika peoples and cultures can shine.

Theme for 2023

According to the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), the theme for 2023 is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” The FAPAC encourages local and national governments to prioritize creating leadership and advancement opportunities for Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander peoples.

Email signature

Celebrate Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and support your colleagues by adding an icon to your UW Medicine email signature. Plus, learn about the flowers celebrating the diverse cultures and communities of Asia and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

Visit the UW Medicine brand site to download the signature. If you need instructions on adding an email signature, visit one of the following Microsoft Office support pages.

• Office 365 and 2019
• Office 2007-2010

Zoom background

Visit the UW Medicine brand site to download the background.

Poster

Download a PDF of the poster.

Honoring Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander peoples and cultures should happen year-round — and we’ve compiled a list of resources to help you do just that.

Visit

• Seattle’s International District and support local shops and restaurants
• Seattle Asian Art Museum
• Wing Luke Museum
  • 2023 Spring Market on May 27 — support local Asian and Pacific Islander small businesses and artists
• Seattle Japanese Garden
• Asia Pacific Cultural Center
• Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration at the Seattle Center Festál on May 6 — featuring food, music, vendors, performances and a cultural display of nations

Read and learn

• Learn more about the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Community
• UW University Book Store’s Top 5 Reads for AANHPI Heritage Month
• Find books, helpful links and museums and cultural centers through the Burke Museum Asian, Asian-American Diaspora Heritage Resource Packet
• Visit Seattle’s Support for AA & NH/PI Communities in Seattle
• Try these recipes to celebrate Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage from UW Medicine chefs
• Read the Seattle Met’s 12 Asian and Pacific Islander Seattleites You Should Know About
• Listen to Minyo Crusaders: Tiny Desk (Home) Concerts
• Read about The surprising history of Hawai‘i’s hula tradition in National Geographic