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 and Native Hawaiian/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.
Sharing History & Heritage
Discover stories and cultural heritage shared in national parks and communities across the country.
Heritage Travel
Explore parks, memorials, and historic sites around the country and US territories in person or virtually.
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.
Power of Parks for Health Roundtable
The graphic is an annoucement for an event. Text on the graphic reads "Power of Parks for Health Roundtable. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Wednesday, May 26. 6:30-8:00 P.M. EDT. Join us as we discuss increasing visibility, representation, and relevancy of AAPI communities in the outdoors. https//go.nps.gov/may-popforhealth."
The graphic includes a photo of two people sitting in nature. It also include the logos for the National Park Service and the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).
The graphic includes a photo of two people sitting in nature. It also include the logos for the National Park Service and the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the partnership between the National Park Service and the US Public Health Service, we are hosting a year-long series of educational and celebratory events to share the history of the partnership, highlight the role of public health in parks, and launch efforts to begin planning for a health focused future. During Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders Heritage Month, join us for a virtual Power of Parks for Health Roundtable on May 26 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm EDT hosted in partnership with the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).
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:
This Month's National Park Getaway
Tule Lake National Monument tells the stories of 30,000 Japanese Americans who were forced to relocate to the camp far from their homes.
"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.
Voices of Science
A podcast series takes listeners on an acoustic voyage connecting the natural and cultural worlds of Hawaii's national parks.
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.
Breaking Barriers
World War II challenged American cultural beliefs, biases, and practices surrounding race, culture, and ethnicity.
National Park Foundation Features
The National Park Foundation, an official partner of the National Park Service, explored ways people tell stories to interpret history, reflect on their journeys, and make personal connections with parks.
Remarkable National Park Stories
Explore some parks that share the triumphs, perseverance, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
The Power of Place
From Assateague to Manzanar, NPF’s Kim Hirose Tobe shares how national parks and her personal story are intertwined.
Outdoors in Your Own Authentic Way
Ambreen Tariq is helping more people get outside to discover the wonder and joy of national parks through social media.
A Passion and a Gift
George Masa had a passion for parks and a gift for photography. Masa Knob in Great Smoky Mountains NP was named in his honor.
Reflecting on Japanese American Confinement
Seventy-five years ago in 1946, the last Japanese American confinement site closed. During World War II, Japanese Americans faced widespread racism and prejudice against them. More than 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were US citizens, were imprisoned by the US government under Executive Order 9066. Allowed to take only what they could carry, they were imprisoned without trial, in rural areas far from home and the lives they built. Learn some of their stories preserved in national parks and communities through the work of our programs and partners.
Japanese American Confinement
More than 120,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned by the US government following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Visit World War II Parks
Find parks that tell the story of events that influenced or directly impacted Asian Americans' and Pacific Islanders' wartime experience.
Remembrance in National Parks
Examining History with Archeology
Archeologists use clues from objects and features in the ground to piece together the past and take a deeper look at history. Discover some of the recent and ongoing archeology projects in national parks or through our programs that are examining history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.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.
AAPI Heritage Theme Study
Read a theme study that identifies places of important history, including current and potential National Historic Landmarks.
Japanese American Confinement Sites
Visit places of remembrance where more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were involuntarily relocated during World War II.
Heritage Travel
Explore parks, memorials, and historic sites around the country and US territories in person or virtually.
National Register of Historic Places
Thousands of historic places in neighborhoods across the country are recognized on the register. Start exploring with these suggestions.
Last updated: May 26, 2021