PORTLAND, Ore. — May marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
AANHPI Month was recognized by President Joe Biden on April 30, 2021. It was originally known as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month, which was officially recognized by former President Barack Obama in 2009, until 2021.
Below are some events happening this month to celebrate and honor AANHPI Heritage Month.
To find more events, look through these guides and calendars:
Oregon Rises Above Hate Kickoff
Date: May 4
Location: Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 Northwest Everett Street, Portland, OR 97209
AAPI community leaders are coming together to speak out against, draw attention to and halt anti-Asian hate in Oregon and across the United States. Lan Su Chinese Garden will also have free admission from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Date: May 3 (runs through Sept. 1)
Location: Japanese American Museum of Oregon, 411 Northwest Flanders Street, Portland, OR 97209
The new exhibition offers visitors an in-depth look at all that Bill Naito — the namesake of that street along Portland's downtown waterfront — built in the city of Portland and what drove that success. Naito took an interest in transforming downtown starting in the 1960s, shaping many iconic places and projects — the Japanese American Historical Plaza, the preservation of Old Town, the Portland Saturday Market, the downtown transit mall, the Portland Galleria and Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
This exhibition is supported in memory of Bill and Micki Naito.
Japanese American Museum of Oregon AANHPI Weekend
Date: May 4-5
Location: Japanese American Museum of Oregon, 411 Northwest Flanders Street, Portland, OR 97209
The museum is offering free admission May 4 and 5, as well as a Tour the Plaza (the Japanese American Historical Plaza) event on May 4 at 2 p.m. On May 5, there will also be a family museum activity, "Mystery Objects," and the return of the "History Detectives."
On both days, the museum is launching the latest edition of "Make Us Visible," an Asian American history coloring book. Guests can come by to get a free copy!
Date: May 5
Location: Matthew Knight Arena, 1840 E 13th Avenue, Eugene, OR
The University of Oregon Hui `O Hawai’i is presenting its 49th annual Lūʻau. The theme this year is “No ka Mo`omeheu,” which translates to “For the Culture.” The event will highlight the history of the Hawaiian and Polynesian islands and the culture that continues to thrive.
Re:Generation – Manifesting at the Peach Blossom Spring
Date: Until May 4 (began in November)
Location: The Portland Chinatown Museum, 127 NW Third Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
"Artists Lark Pien, Josh Sin, and Yuyang Zhang braid generations of Pacific Northwest Chinese immigrant history with their personal narratives to reveal the complex and nuanced psychological landscape of being ethnic Chinese living in America.
Drawing resonance from a 5th-century Chinese fable of encountering the transitory/illusionary Peach Blossom Spring utopia and early Chinese migration to Gold Mountain (America), each artist pursues their personal utopia in their work, exploring a variety of topics from daily encounters to world-building designs, and political satires."
Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) at the Portland Japanese Garden
Date: May 5, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
Each year in Japan on May 5, Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Day, celebrates the growth and good fortune of children. The celebration will feature a range of family-friendly activities throughout the day, including an origami workshop, koi feeding and taiko performances. Those who attend can, of course, explore the Portland Japanese Garden with a new and colorful map, created by local Portland artist Mike Bennett, at the entrance's stairs in the Tateuchi Courtyard.
Date: May 10
Location: Portland Spirit Dock Location at Salmon Street Springs Dock, 1010 Southwest Naito Parkway, Portland, OR 97204
API Forward is celebrating its 10th anniversary by hosting its 7th annual celebration to honor the community, as well as fundraise "to educate local students and young professionals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to become leaders in our community." The black-tie affair encourages guests to wear their cultural and traditional attire.
Portland State University Annual PacFest
Date: May 11
Location: 710 SW Jackson Street, Portland, OR
PSU's Pacific Islanders Club "welcomes anyone and everyone who is passionate with the Pacific Island Heritage" to come out and celebrate.
Date: May 11 at 7 p.m.
Location: Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 Southwest Crescent Street, Beaverton, OR 97005
The Immigrant Story is hosting its third edition of “I Am An American Live,” a program that is part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition. Four women from Yemen, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar share their experiences "of what it means to belong in America, even while at times being excluded," and what inspired them to be "agents of change."
Before the auditorium opens at 6:30 p.m., happy hour starts at 6 p.m. in the Reser lobby with food, drinks, swing music and opportunities to talk with local publishers and authors, including Elizabeth Mehren, who just published "I Lived To Tell the World." You can also enjoy the exhibits on display at The Reser Gallery and in the lobby.
Date: May 14
Location: 631 Northeast Grand Avenue, Portland, OR 97232
Impact NW has been part of Portland since 1966 and is raising support to fuel its homeless prevention efforts, which includes helping prevent people from losing their housing. The group says it has "served 83% more people since the pandemic (now more than 30,000)" and that "well over 90% of the people we support remain housed."
Roots of Resilience Fundraiser for APANO, APANO Action Fund
Date: May 16 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: 631 NE Grand Avenue, Portland, OR 97232
In addition to celebrating AAPI Month, Voices of Change is hoping for community support for its sibling organizations, APANO and APANO Action Fund, "to continue advocating for and lifting up the change-making leaders in our communities."
Ulana, Hawaiian Cultural Practice: Celebrating Hawaiians in Oregon
Date: Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Oregon Historical Society
KALO Hawaiian Civic Club is partnering with the Oregon Historical Society for a free day of museum admission for all and a day of activities to mark AANHPI Heritage Month. The activities will include a two-hour workshop of Papa Ulana Launiu (weaving with coconut leaves), a traditional practice of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people.
Tokyo Borderless Concert
Date: May 18, 3 p.m.
Location: Portland Community College's Sylvania Campus Performing Arts Center
enTaiko's concert will be "departing from conventional expectations" with merging the traditional and classical. The classical music ensemble led by conductor Ines Voglar Belgique, as well as reimagining enTaiko's signature piece "Celebration" with the Portland Youth Philharmonic String Ensemble. Breakdancing champion Walle Brown will join the performance, "set within a vibrant street culture atmosphere."
Date: May 18 and 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Stoller Family Estate, 16161 Northeast McDougall Road, Dayton, OR 97114
May is also Oregon Wine Month, so why not take advantage? The event was founded last year by Oregon's first Korean American winemaker, Cho Wines. This year, 22 AAPI-owned restaurants, wineries and a mobile dry bar are in the spotlight. General admission and VIP tickets are available, along with limited shuttle service for an extra charge.
Date: May 25, 6-8 p.m.
Location: Classic Pianos Portland, 3003 Southeast Milwaukie Avenue, Portland, OR 97202
Gather for an evening of celebrating AANHPI heritage through music, starring local pianists.
AANHPI Heritage Month Free Day at the Oregon Historical Society
Date: May 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Oregon Historical Society, 1200 Southwest Park Ave, Portland, Oregon 97205
The free family day, organized in partnership with Oregon Rises Above Hate, includes special performances by Shivani Joshi at 11 a.m. and Paradise of Samoa at 1 p.m.
Date: May 30
Location: The Redd, 831 Southeast Salmon Street, Portland, OR 97214
The annual gala will "be filled with delicious food, cultural performances, remarks from community leaders, and updates on all the incredible things your support has enabled in the last year."
Don't see an event on this list? Let us know!
