Asian Pacific Islander Desi Heritage Month Resources

Educate

  • The LA Kings recognize the month of May as Asian Pacific Islander Desi Heritage Month to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of the APIDA community, intentionally expanding recognition to include our South Asian Kings family.
  • In 1978, Congress designated first week of May as Asian American Heritage Week to commemorate both the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants as well as the completion of the transcontinental railroad (by mainly Chinese workers). 
  • As denoted by the U.S. Census, Asians and Pacific Islanders refer to people who trace their origins and identities to over 50 countries in Central Asia, East Asia, Hawai’i and Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia (the Middle East). 
  • Fun Fact: Yutaka Fukufuji became the first player born in Japan to play in the NHL when he appeared in four games for the LA Kings during the 2006-07 season.

Celebrate

  • Celebrate the Japanese holiday Kodomo No Hi (Children’s Day) at the 3rd Annual Kibō Nobori Children’s Day Festival at Terasaki Budokan on Saturday, May 4th.
  • Attend the 40th VC Film Fest (Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival) from May 1 - May 10.
  • Learn more about the heritage of Hawai’i and Polynesia at the Heritage of Aloha Festival on May 18 – 19.
  • Check out picks from the LA Kings front office of API Desi movies and TV shows:
    • Warrior
    • The Brother’s Sun
    • Hunt for the Wilderpeople
    • The Debut

Act

  • Support local AAPI chefs, brands and creatives at AAPI LA Market x Smorgasburg on Sunday, May 19.

  • Make a donation or volunteer with one of our nonprofit partners who serve the API Desi community:

    • SIPA (Search to Involve Pilipino Americans): SIPA enriches and empowers generations of Pilipino Americans and others by providing health and human services, community economic development, arts and culture, and a place where people of all backgrounds come together to strengthen the community.
    • Terasaki Budokan: Terasaki Budokan’s mission is to provide a facility in Downtown, Los Angeles for youth, families and seniors that offers sports, community activities, and opportunities to connect visitors to Japanese American culture and a vibrant, sustainable Little Tokyo.

    • Asian Pacific Community Fund: APCF’s mission is to cultivate philanthropists to invest in organizations that empower underserved Asian and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) to prosper by building healthy communities, creating a stronger voice and developing leaders.

    • Support API Desi-owned brands and businesses of choice of the LA Kings front office: