AAPI Heritage Month: Asian & Pacific Islander Cultures
May is AAPI Heritage Month — a chance to dig into the rich, distinct cultures across Asia and the Pacific, beyond a single 'Asian' lens.
AAPI Heritage Month spans an enormous cultural geography: East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia), Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos), South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan), and the Pacific Islands (Hawaiʻi, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Guam). Each has its own languages, foods, religions, and histories. This hub helps you explore the diversity, not flatten it.
Key Facts
- When: May (US)
- Founded: 1990 (signed into law)
- Why May: First Japanese arrival to US (May 7, 1843); transcontinental railroad (May 10, 1869)
- Asian Countries in MaiMai: 12+
- Pacific Island Resources: Hawaiʻi, Samoa, Fiji
- Languages Covered: Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Hawaiian +
Don't Flatten Asia
There is no single 'Asian culture'. Korean cuisine has nothing in common with Indian cuisine; Vietnamese language is unrelated to Mandarin; Filipino history is shaped by Spanish and American colonization in ways that East Asian histories are not. AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to teach kids the specifics — not to lump everything under one banner.
Pacific Islander Inclusion
The 'PI' in AAPI is often overlooked. Hawaiʻi, Samoa, Tonga, Guam, and other Pacific cultures have distinct languages, navigation traditions, oral histories, and ongoing political contexts (Native Hawaiian sovereignty, decolonization). Include them deliberately.
Activities
- 🥢 Asia Food Atlas Project: Each pair of students researches one Asian country's signature dish + history. Build a wall map of dishes.
- 🏝️ Pacific Islander Story Time: Read a Hawaiian creation story, a Samoan folk tale, or a Maori legend. Discuss what they teach.
- 📿 Lunar Calendar Crafts: Many Asian cultures use lunar calendars. Make a lunar-month wheel showing Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, etc.
- 🎶 Music Across Asia: Koto (Japan), pipa (China), tabla (India), gamelan (Indonesia), ʻukulele (Hawaiʻi). Listen and identify.
- 👘 Traditional Clothing Showcase: Compare hanbok, kimono, sari, áo dài, barong, kebaya — all distinct, all beautiful.
- 🏔️ AAPI Map of the US: Map historical Asian-American settlements: Chinatowns, Little Manilas, Japantowns, Hmong communities.
Printables
Bring AAPI heritage and Asian/Pacific cultures to Life Inside MaiMai
Sign up free and unlock interactive adventures, language pronunciation, and a printable passport for every culture you explore.
- Interactive adventures that adapt to your child's age and reading level
- Native pronunciation audio for greetings, numbers, and key vocabulary
- A digital passport that fills with stamps as kids explore each country
- Printable lesson plans, coloring pages, and activity sheets included
- COPPA-compliant, ad-free, and safe for kids 3–18
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AAPI stand for?
Asian American and Pacific Islander. Some institutions use AANHPI to explicitly include Native Hawaiians.
Why is AAPI Heritage Month in May?
May commemorates the first Japanese immigrant to the US (May 7, 1843) and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (May 10, 1869) — built largely by Chinese laborers.
How do I include the Pacific Islander 'PI' meaningfully?
Dedicate at least one week to Pacific Islander cultures specifically. Use Native Hawaiian, Samoan, or Chamorro voices and resources — not pan-Asian content as a substitute.
Is it ok to teach about anti-Asian discrimination?
Yes, age-appropriately. Older kids can learn about Chinese Exclusion Act, Japanese internment, and recent anti-Asian hate. Younger kids can learn empathy and 'how to be a friend' framings.
Keep Exploring
Start exploring with MaiMai
Free to start, no credit card required.