📌APIA Every Day (123) - The Government House, located in Pago Pago, American Samoa, has served as the residence for U.S. naval commandants and later governors since the early 1900s. Captain U. Sebree initiated its construction in 1903, choosing a site with strategic views to host foreign dignitaries and represent American presence in the region. The house became an important venue for diplomatic interactions, hosting officials from Germany, France, Italy, New Zealand, and other nations.

During World War I and the subsequent seizure of German Samoa by New Zealand, diplomatic activities at Government House increased. The building continued to play a significant role during and after World War II, temporarily housing military governors and serving as a symbol of American governance in the South Pacific. In 1951, the administration of American Samoa transitioned from naval to civilian control, but Government House remained the official residence of the elected governor. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

📌APIA Every Day (122) - Kala Bagai, also known as "Jhaiji," was an infamous South Asian immigrant and community leader in California. Born in 1892, she and her husband Vaishno Das Bagai arrived in San Francisco in 1915 with their three young sons. Kala was one of the very few South Asian women in the United States at the time. Their arrival was mentioned in the San Francisco Call-Post, which noted her as the “first Hindu woman to enter the city in ten years.”

The Bagais faced severe racism, including being physically barred by neighbors from moving into their new home in Berkeley. Following the 1923 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind, Vaishno Das had his citizenship revoked, leading to his tragic suicide in 1928. Kala Bagai continued to raise her children, remarried family friend Mahesh Chandra, and embraced Western culture, eventually gaining U.S. citizenship in 1946 after the passage of the Luce-Celler Act. In Southern California, Kala became a community builder. She hosted cultural events and fostered connections between American and South Asian cultures. Her home became a hub for South Asians, promoting inclusivity and support for new immigrants. She continued this work until her death in 1983.

To honor her contributions, Berkeley renamed a two-block stretch of Shattuck Avenue to "Kala Bagai Way." This renaming recognizes her role as an immigrant from colonized India who overcame anti-immigrant attacks and helped establish one of the earliest South Asian communities in Southern California. The proposal received public support and endorsements from various councils and committees, including APIAHiP. Naming this street after Kala Bagai acknowledges her contributions to building a welcoming community and the presence and contributions of Asian Americans in Berkeley.

📌APIA Every Day (121) - Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso, Florida, played a crucial role in the aftermath of the Fall of Saigon by serving as one of the four main U.S. Refugee Processing Centers in 1975 [See Day 62: Fort Chaffee and Day 104: Fort Indiantown Gap]. After the Fall of Saigon, Eglin's Auxiliary Field Two, known as "Tent City," housed and processed over 10,000 Southeast Asian refugees, including Vietnamese, Cambodians, and Laotians. This effort was part of the largest refugee resettlement in American history, accommodating more than 130,000 refugees who fled the conflict in their homelands.

The Gulf Coast states, including Florida, became home to about 15% of these initial refugees. Many found their way to the region through both chance and personal choice, often supported by local churches and community organizations. Organizations like Boat People SOS (BPSOS) were instrumental in helping these refugees integrate into American society. Despite significant language barriers and cultural differences, the Vietnamese community, in particular, found a natural fit in the Gulf Coast's fishing industry due to their skills and backgrounds.

Eglin Air Force Base's role extended beyond Vietnamese resettlement. In 1980, the base also processed over 10,000 Cuban refugees during the Mariel boatlift. These efforts highlight Eglin's adaptability beyond its primary military functions, serving as a resettlement camp for various refugee groups. The history of these resettlement efforts is reflected today in the thriving Vietnamese American community in the Gulf Coast area. Despite being less than 50 years old, the Refugee Processing Center at Eglin Air Force Base is recommended as a National Historic Landmark by the NPS AAPI National Historic Landmark Theme Study due to the integrity of the location and its association with Southeast Asian resettlement in the United States.

📌APIA Every Day (120) - The Rock Springs massacre occurred on September 2, 1885, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, and resulted in the deaths of at least 28 Chinese miners, injuries to 15 others, and the destruction of 78 Chinese homes. Starting in the late 1860s, the Union Pacific Railroad hired Chinese laborers for railroad construction; by the 1870s, these workers were scattered throughout southwestern Wyoming. In 1874, the Union Pacific Coal Company took control of local mining operations and began actively recruiting Chinese miners through the Beckwith-Quinn Company to resolve a labor dispute with union miners. This led to the arrival of approximately 400 Chinese miners in Rock Springs. The Beckwith-Quinn Company contract required Chinese miners to live in company housing and purchase supplies from the company, effectively segregating them from other miners. This arrangement fueled misunderstandings and resentment, exacerbated by regional anti-Chinese sentiment and economic competition.

On September 2, 1885, a dispute between Chinese laborers and a Euro-American miner escalated into a violent confrontation. American miners, primarily from the Knights of Labor, attacked Chinese miners at coal pit number six, resulting in the death of one Chinese worker. The violence quickly spread as armed miners attacked Chinatown in Rock Springs. They looted, beat, and murdered Chinese residents, burning many alive in their homes. The massacre left at least 28 Chinese miners dead and forced survivors to flee. In response to the massacre, the U.S. Army was deployed to restore order and escort surviving Chinese miners back to Rock Springs. Camp Pilot Butte was established to protect the miners and ensure the smooth operation of the coal mines, remaining until 1898. Despite the reconstruction of Chinatown, the Union Pacific Railroad did not increase its Chinese workforce after the massacre. By 1940, the Union Pacific no longer employed Chinese miners.

The Rock Springs massacre is a significant event in American history, highlighting the severe consequences of racial and economic tensions in the late 19th century. The Rock Springs Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, serves as a reminder of the historical struggles faced by Chinese immigrants and the broader issues of discrimination and economic exploitation during that period.

📌APIA Every Day (119) - The Taga Latte Stone Quarry at As Nieves in the Mariana Islands is a site of profound architectural, archeological, and cultural significance. First documented in 1925 by Hans G. Hornbostel of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, it is renowned for its well-preserved latte structures that remain near their original quarry pits. The site contains nine shafts and seven capstones, unique to the Mariana Islands. These structures date back to at least 845 AD and possibly continued to be built until the 16th century. Astonishingly, these massive stones were often transported over the sea and across land for several kilometers, showcasing the Chamorro people's incredible ingenuity and determination.

A typical latte stone setting consists of two large stones: a standing stone column (halagi) topped with a hemispherical capstone (tåsa). The flat side of the tåsa faces upward, and some experts believe its rounded shape was designed to prevent rats from climbing the pillars. These megaliths were typically located at ancient village sites and arranged in two parallel rows. According to early travelers' accounts, these structures likely served as foundations for buildings of special importance.

This remarkable site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1974 and was nominated as a National Historic Landmark designation due to its archeological and design significance within the context of Pacific Island heritage.

📌APIA Every Day (118) - The Hakone Historic District, located near Saratoga in the San Francisco Bay area, was established in 1915 by Oliver and Isabel Stine, inspired by Japanese exhibits at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. After Isabel Stine’s 1916 visit to Japan, the Stines enlisted Japanese architect Tsunematsu Shintani and landscape architect Naoharu Aihara to design the estate using traditional Japanese materials and craftsmanship. The resulting villa and gardens reflected the traditional shoin-zukuri and sukiya-zukuri architectural styles, integrating natural beauty with architectural elegance.

The Stines used Hakone extensively for cultural events, including Kabuki performances and the West Coast premiere of Puccini’s "Madame Butterfly" in 1923. In 1932, the estate was sold to Major Charles Lee Tilden, who, with the help of Japanese-trained gardener James Sasaki, further enhanced the gardens by adding structures like the mon gate and moon bridge. Ownership passed within Tilden's family until 1961, when a group of Saratoga residents bought it, maintaining it as a private retreat until the City of Saratoga purchased Hakone in 1966 to prevent its subdivision.

In the following years, Kyoto-trained gardener Tanso Ishihara and architect Kiyoshi Yasui worked on restoring and expanding the gardens. Since 2000, the Hakone Foundation has managed the site, ensuring the preservation of its historic gardens, including the Hill and Pond Garden, Zen Garden, Tea Garden, and the Bamboo Garden added in 1987. The Hakone Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013 and was recommended as a potential National Historic Landmark in the NPS AAPI National Historic Landmark Theme Study.

📌APIA Every Day (117) - The Moore Gulch Chinese Mining Site in Idaho's Clearwater National Forest is a crucial historical landmark, providing insights into the experiences of Chinese laborers from 1870 to 1900. This site is part of the Pierce Mining District, which originated with E.D. Pierce's discovery of gold on September 30, 1860. This discovery ignited the North Idaho gold rush, drawing thousands of miners and rapidly creating boom towns.

As richer gold deposits were found in Elk City, Florence, and Warrens, many miners left Pierce. This opened opportunities for Chinese miners, who began arriving around 1864 to work the less profitable claims left behind. Despite significant resistance and formal prohibitions, by 1870, Pierce had 461 Chinese residents compared to 136 whites and Hawaiian natives, and one Black person. By 1880, the Chinese population had grown to 708, making up the majority of Shoshone County's population.

The presence of Chinese miners was not without conflict. The Pierce Chinese Massacre on September 18, 1885, triggered by mercantile rivalry and worsening racial tensions led to a diplomatic investigation in 1886 after Emperor Kuang-hsu of China protested the treatment of his citizens. Despite this tragic event, the Chinese community in Pierce played a vital role in the local economy. The Moore Gulch site, with its mining infrastructure, living quarters, and discarded materials, offers valuable insights into their daily lives and economic interactions. By examining artifacts and their origins, researchers can trace the complex economic networks that sustained the Chinese miners and linked them to the broader American economy.

The Moore Gulch Chinese Mining Site is a significant historical resource, helping us understand the contributions and hardships of Chinese laborers in Idaho's mining history. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and was recommended as National Historic Landmark by the NPS AAPI National Historic Landmark Theme Study.

📌APIA Every Day (116) - Situated in Stockton, California, lies the ethnic neighborhood of Little Manila. In the 1930s, waves of young Filipino men arrived in California after the 1924 Immigration Act, attracted to agricultural jobs in the Central Valley. As the demand for cheap labor grew, the pool dwindled due to the legislation, and Filipinos filled the need for able-bodied workers. Facing racism and discriminatory laws that barred Filipinos from entering areas exclusively for White people, Filipino Americans built their own community south of Main Street, where they opened businesses and created a strong Filipino community known as Little Manila.

Throughout the next century, many Filipino men organized labor unions and held strikes against exploitative farmers. Infamous Filipino leaders such as Larry Itliong, Andy Imutan, Chris Mensalvas, Ernesto Mangaoang, Carlos Bulosan, and Philip Vera Cruz worked out of Stockton and led the strikes and unions that occurred in the area. By 1946, after anti-miscegenation laws were changed, Filipino women began migrating to the area as well, making Stockton’s Little Manila the largest Filipino community in the U.S.

Unfortunately, in the next decade, large sections of Little Manila, as well as Stockton’s Chinatown and Japantown, were bulldozed by the city to create space for the Crosstown Freeway, gas stations, McDonald’s and, ironically, an Asian-themed strip mall. Generations of Filipinos were heartbroken to see the thriving Filipino community subjected to these changes and the loss of its rich history. In 2001, Filipinos worked together to have the city designate the site as the Little Manila Historic Site which was designated in the following year.

While Little Manila’s original buildings no longer exist, efforts are being made by nearby Filipino organizations, such as Little Manila Rising, to remember the longstanding Filipino history in Stockton. The site was named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as "one of the eleven most endangered historic sites in America" in 2003 and recommended by the NPS AAPI National Historic Landmark Themes Study as a potential National Historic Landmark.

📌APIA Every Day (115) - The Lahaina Historic District, situated in Maui, Hawai’i, served as the former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Under King Kamehameha's reign over the island of Hawai’i, he designated the district as his royal residence and erected the "Brick Palace," one of the earliest Western-designed buildings in the Hawaiian Islands. Lahaina retained its status as the capital from 1820 to 1845. In 1819, the arrival of the first American whaling ships in Lahaina transformed the area into a primary Pacific port for North Pacific whaling fleets. This establishment attracted immigrants to the island, who in turn opened various businesses. A few years later, missionaries visited the island and established churches, leading to the creation of Waiola Cemetery, the final resting place for Hawaiian kings, queens, and missionary advisors to the Hawaiian monarchy.

Despite Lahaina's growth, tensions arose between sailors from the whaling ships and the local populace. "Blue Laws" were implemented to regulate the sale of spirits and liquors to sailors. In response, the Royal Governor of Maui constructed Lahaina Fort on the waterfront, the reconstructed remains of which can still be seen in Banyan Court Park. By the 1860s, the whaling industry began to decline, prompting the relocation of the capital of the Kingdom of Hawai’i to Honolulu, Oahu. Although Lahaina was occasionally used as a royal residence, the 1850s saw the emergence of sugar plantations. Chinese immigrants arrived in Hawai’i as contract laborers to work on the sugar plantations, with some settling in Lahaina by 1909. The influence of Chinese migration can be observed in some of the area's buildings.

The rich history of Lahaina, characterized by the influences of American, European, and Asian cultures with the local population, has significantly shaped the environment. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1962, Lahaina faced a devastating event in August 2023 when a series of wildfires swept through Maui, including Lahaina. Several buildings in the area were destroyed, and many residents, particularly Native Hawaiians, were displaced. How can we honor the history of the Lahaina historic district while acknowledging the impact of the fires on the local population?

📌APIA Every Day (114) - The Pearl S. Buck House, formerly known as Green Hills Farm, stands as a historic site nestled in Perkasie, Pennsylvania. This estate served as the residence of Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck from 1933 until her passing in 1973. Originally constructed in 1825, the Pearl S. Buck House showcases exemplary 19th-century Pennsylvanian architecture fashioned from coursed fieldstone. Over the years, Buck made significant modifications and additions to the farmhouse, including the incorporation of a two-story fieldstone wing and two libraries. Here, Buck not only wrote several books but also raised her family, pursued her humanitarian interests, and cultivated her passion for gardening.

Beyond the physical structure, the Pearl S. Buck House carries a profound cultural legacy. Born in 1892, Buck spent her early years in China, where her parents had been missionaries since 1880. Her family returned to China from the U.S shortly after her birth, preferring to live among the Chinese rather than in a missionary compound. Growing up, Buck had intimate interactions with the Chinese people, speaking their language, playing with local children, and absorbing their culture firsthand. Despite her immersion in Chinese life, Buck's parents also exposed her to American culture, celebrating American holidays and providing meals with American influences. Buck's education extended beyond traditional schooling; she was tutored by a Confucian scholar in Chinese history, writing, and reading. In 1910, Buck returned to the United States to attend Randolph-Macon Woman's College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Philosophy in 1914. She briefly taught psychology at the college before returning to China to care for her ailing mother.

In 1917, Buck married John Lossing Buck, an American agricultural missionary, and the couple spent their early years together in a small town in North China. It was here that Buck's experiences provided the inspiration for her most famous work, "The Good Earth." Buck's empathetic portrayal of Chinese life in her literary works earned her the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1938. Through her writings and initiatives such as the East-West Association and the Pearl S. Buck Foundation, she tirelessly worked to dispel stereotypes and cultivate appreciation for Chinese culture, leaving a mark on American literature and society.

Today, the Pearl S. Buck House has been transformed into a museum and is managed by Pearl S. Buck International, a charitable nonprofit organization committed to advancing intercultural education and humanitarian aid. Welcoming approximately 17,000 visitors annually, the house offers insights into Pearl S. Buck's remarkable history and contributions, and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1980.

📌APIA Every Day (113) - Located in Newell, California, the Tule Lake Segregation Center serves as a stark reminder of a dark chapter in American history. Initially established in 1942 as a War Relocation Center, it was repurposed into a high-security Segregation Center the following year, primarily for Japanese Americans deemed "disloyal" to the U.S. The camp received its first wave of prisoners mainly from Washington and California, later extending to include individuals from Hawai’i and Oregon. Tule Lake, the last camp to close, held a population exceeding its intended capacity, resulting in overcrowded conditions.

Families were allocated one room furnished minimally with a single light bulb, a coal stove, and army cots. Community mess halls served meals, disrupting traditional family dynamics, while sanitation facilities lacked privacy, resembling military setups with open latrines and shower areas. Despite the harsh conditions, efforts were made to maintain a semblance of normalcy through cultural events such as harvest festivals, dances, and sports like baseball. The camp's infrastructure evolved to accommodate various needs, repurposing buildings into stores, canteens, religious spaces, and recreational facilities.

As tensions escalated within the Segregation Center, security measures intensified, including the addition of barbed wire fencing, guard towers, and military patrols. Discontent among the incarcerated population led to internal conflicts, protests, and clashes with the authorities. The Army assumed control of the camp in late 1943, imposing martial law. A stockade area was established, serving as a detention center for those deemed disloyal. Additionally, President Roosevelt's signing of Public Law 405 in 1944 allowed for the renunciation of U.S. citizenship, prompting a significant number of Japanese Americans at Tule Lake to consider this option. Misinformation further fueled anxieties, leading to a surge in applications for repatriation to Japan. However, many renunciations were driven by coercion, misinformation, and fear rather than genuine desire to go to Japan.

By the end of 1945, with other relocation centers closed, Tule Lake faced the task of repatriating renunciants. Legal challenges delayed deportations, and hearings were held for those seeking to rescind their renunciations. Ultimately, only a fraction of the camp's population faced deportation. The Tule Lake Segregation Center officially closed in 1946 and was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

📌APIA Every Day (112) - Boston's Chinatown in Massachusetts holds a rich history of the early Chinese immigrants who arrived in the mid-19th century. Initially, Chinese immigrants came to New England as merchants and laborers seeking economic opportunities. However, the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 severely restricted Chinese immigration, resulting in a predominantly male population in Chinatown, often referred to as a "bachelor society."

Despite the challenges posed by the Exclusion Act, Chinese immigrants managed to establish a community in Boston's South Cove area, characterized by low rent and land values, providing essential services and a sense of home. Many turned to opening laundries due to exclusion from manufacturing and construction jobs, leading to the proliferation of Chinese-owned businesses along major transportation routes. Hostility towards Chinese immigrants, exemplified by speeches like Denis Kearney's in 1878, which strongly opposed Chinese laborers, resulted in discriminatory actions. Such actions were evident in the 1903 police raid, during which policemen forced Chinese Americans to produce citizenship documents during funeral ceremonies. However, nearby residents rallied a few days later in support of the Chinese community, highlighting concerns over individual liberties.

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake inadvertently aided Chinese residents in gaining citizenship, facilitating the formation of families and a gradual increase in Chinatown's population. With the rise of families, community organizations like the Denison Settlement House and the Kwong Kow Language School emerged, providing essential services and cultural education to immigrants and their children. Today, Boston's Chinatown is the third largest Chinatown behind Manhattan and San Francisco, marking the area's commitment to preserving Chinese heritage and culture. With the Chinatown’s history, the area is considered a potential National Historic Landmark in the National Park Service’s AAPI National Historic Landmark Theme Study.

📌APIA Every Day (111) - Situated on the island of Wailuku, Hawai’i, the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve, the smallest of the eight main volcanic islands of the Hawaiian Islands, holds rich historical and cultural significance. It is said that the island is the physical embodiment of the Hawai’ian god of the sea, Kanaloa, who took the form of an octopus to represent the island. Archaeological findings suggest early Hawaiian settlement dating back to 400 A.D., with evidence indicating the island's role as a navigational hub, adze quarry, agricultural center, and site for religious ceremonies. Despite its historical importance, Kahoʻolawe has faced challenges, including erosion and sparse population due to limited freshwater sources. Over time, it served various purposes, from a brief period as a penal colony to its eventual use as a U.S. Navy bombing range.

In response to growing concerns, efforts arose to reclaim Kahoʻolawe, culminating in legal action by the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana (PKO) group in 1976. Despite setbacks, activists like Walter Ritte emerged as leaders in the movement for Hawaiian rights and environmental conservation. In 1993, Senator Daniel Inouye initiated the transfer of Kahoʻolawe and its surrounding waters to Hawai’i, aiming for environmental restoration and cultural preservation. This led to the establishment of the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, responsible for overseeing the area for future Native Hawaiian management. Restoration efforts have focused on erosion control, vegetation reestablishment, and the removal of invasive species, guided by a commitment to native Hawaiian cultural practices. A business plan proposed in 2015 outlined steps for ecological restoration, including the removal of feral animals and addressing regulatory and financial considerations.

Today, the island remains uninhabited and represents Hawaiian heritage as well as ongoing efforts toward cultural and environmental preservation. The reserve was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

📌APIA Every Day (109) - The Vedanta Hindu Temple, located in San Francisco, California, stands as the oldest universal Hindu temple in the West. Designed by Swami Trigunatitananda, who oversaw the Vedanta Society of San Francisco, along with architect Joseph A. Leonard, the temple's construction began in 1905, and it commenced services in 1906, just before the great San Francisco earthquake struck that same year. Remarkably, the temple remained undamaged. However, in 1914, it became the target of a bombing when a former student detonated explosives while Trigunatitananda was speaking during a service, making him the first martyr of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Movement.

Swami Trigunatiatnanda envisioned the temple as an architectural embodiment of religious harmony, echoing the central theme of his Guru Sri Ramakrishna’s message to the modern world. Thus, it does not follow a traditional Indian temple design. Instead, each of its four towers on the roof and the small tower at the entrance to the auditorium showcases unique architectural influences, drawing inspiration from Shiva temples of Bengal, the Varanasi temple, medieval Christian churches, the Taj Mahal, and Muslim mosques. The veranda running along the north and east sides of the building on the third-floor features sculpted arches in Moorish style. Beyond the auditorium, the temple also housed monks' quarters and administrative offices.

In 1959, major activities were relocated to the New Temple, constructed at the northwest corner of Vallejo and Fillmore Streets, a few blocks away from the Old Temple. The Old Temple underwent significant renovations, including seismic retrofitting. A Re-Dedication Ceremony for the Old Temple was held on October 29 (Kali Puja Day) and October 30, 2016, graced by a senior monk from Belur Math and attended by about a dozen monks from across North America. The temple's significance led to its recommendation by the NPS AAPI National Historic Landmark Theme Study for fulfilling Events and Architecture NHL criteria.

Located in Seattle, Washington, the Pike Place Public Market was established by the Seattle City Council, enabling residents to purchase fresh farm produce directly from local growers. The market opened on August 17, 1907, drawing nearly 10,000 customers who quickly bought out the produce of the eight farmers present. By the year's end, construction began on a long narrow shed housing 76 stalls for farmers and food vendors, offering some protection from the weather.

Given Pike Place Market's success, it's crucial to acknowledge the challenging history of the Japanese American community, which faced significant xenophobia while establishing their livelihoods in Seattle and at the Market. Issei farmers, among the first to sell produce on opening day, played a crucial role in the market's growth. Despite outnumbering white farmers two to one, they encountered discriminatory practices in stall assignments, with preferential treatment given to white farmers. Japanese farmers were pivotal to Pike Place Market's success, supplying 75% of the fruits and vegetables sold.

During World War II, the forced incarceration of Japanese American farmers deeply impacted the Market community. The Market Foundation, established in 1982 to provide service and support for the Market community, acknowledges the profound harm and generational impact of Japanese-American incarceration on the Market on the Day of Remembrance. In 2019, the Market Foundation received the Community Service Award from Seattle's Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).

The significance of the Japanese community's contributions to Pike Place Market is commemorated in various ways, including the preservation of cherry blossom trees. The City of Seattle replaced 40-year-old cherry blossom trees at the Market's entrance with eight new ones on Pike Street in 2023, symbolizing the historic meaning of sakura and honoring the Japanese community's contributions. Moreover, the Market is home to several AAPI-owned businesses in the Seattle area that continue to flourish. In 1971, the Market was designated as a National Register of Historic Places and a Market Historical District. Over the following decade, extensive restoration and redevelopment efforts transformed Pike Place Market into the bustling, vibrant community it is today, fueled by both public and private investment.

📌APIA Every Day (108) - Situated in San Francisco, California, the Gran Oriente Filipino Hotel is a three-story-over-basement rooming house at 104-106 South Park, constructed in 1907. In the 1920s, as Filipino men began arriving in California (Filipino women were not allowed entry until the repeal of anti-miscegenation laws in 1948), a group of 40 pooled their money and purchased the property for $6000. Their acquisition followed the passage of the Luce-Celler Act in 1946, which allowed Filipinos who had arrived in the US prior to 1934 to naturalize and subsequently purchase property in California.

Named after Gran Oriente in honor of their fraternity in the Philippines, the 24-room hotel served as a meeting place and provided an affordable, flexible housing option for Filipinos, who were often away at sea or traveling throughout the San Joaquin Valley or along the West Coast in search of seasonal agricultural work. By 1940, the Gran Oriente in the United States had 700 members, with lodges throughout California, Hawaii, and in the cities of Seattle, Phoenix, New York, and Newark. For over eight decades, the Gran Oriente Filipino hotel offered a space to live, socialize, and celebrate Filipino culture amidst significant national and international political and demographic changes and local neighborhood gentrification.

With the demolition of Manilatown in 1977, the closure of dozens of Filipino residential hotels in San Francisco, and the effects of gentrification in the neighborhood, the resident population of the Gran Oriente Filipino Hotel began to dwindle. Concerns about the hotel’s continuity sparked discussions within the Filipino community regarding who would be the next owner. However, in 2018, Mission Housing Development Corporation, a nonprofit dedicated to creating and preserving high-quality affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, acquired the property. To honor the legacy of the Filipino men who purchased the building, along with the flourishing Filipino community in the area, the nonprofit worked in conjunction with SOMCAN, SOMA Pilipinas, and the Filipino Community Development Corporation. A year later, in 2019, the Gran Oriente Filipino Hotel was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places with support from the APIAHiP board directors for its listing.

📌APIA Every Day (107) - Located on the northeastern coast of Guam in Yigo, Pågat (meaning "counsel" or "advice" in the CHamoru language) is one of only four recorded latte sites and is an important cultural resource for the CHamoru people. A large, permanent latte village developed on this relatively isolated limestone bench and continued to be occupied until the 16th or even 17th century. It is believed that the remnants of the village indicate that Pågat was part of a larger exchange network. Because Pågat was occupied before, during, and after the arrival of the Spanish, one of the most important events in the history of the Mariana Islands, its significance to cultural historians and archaeologists is paramount.

Pågat, along with Nisichau (Nisi’an), Pigpug (Pipok), and Malesso’, was one of four church parishes into which Guam was partitioned in 1672, shortly after the introduction of Christianity to the Marianas. A wooden church was erected in Pågat in January 1672, although it was apparently destroyed during warfare between the CHamorus and the Spanish. There appear to be no records of the church having been rebuilt. Given the limited range of resources in the immediate environment of the site and the relatively expensive nature of most procurement and processing activities, it is unlikely that the inhabitants of Pågat existed as an isolated settlement. The presence of items such as volcanic stone demonstrates that this village was part of a larger exchange network.

In 2010, the proposal by the US Department of Defense to use Pågat as a site for a firing range to train US Marines generated heated debate over issues of accommodating military activities while protecting one of Guamʼs most significant heritage sites. The very public effort of local residents to remove Pågat from the militaryʼs list of sites considered for the firing range, as well as the militaryʼs plans to mitigate the potential loss of cultural resources, point to both sidesʼ recognition of the area as being culturally significant. However, it was the effort to educate the larger public about Pågat’s history that revealed the deep-seated desires of members of the CHamoru community to protect this area at an extraordinary cost and pointed out the need for broader and more creative ways to educate people about these unique places around the island.

Today, the yo’amte (traditional healers) continue to visit Pågat to seek advice from the spirits and collect herbs for medicines. Fishermen still frequent this coastline, and many others hike in to learn about Guam’s past or to simply reflect on Guam’s heritage and be inspired by the spectacular scenery. The area has been included on the Guam Register of Historic Places as well as the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. These designations by the Guam Department of Parks and Recreation and the US National Park Service attest to the historic significance of the site, and in 2010, the National Trust for Historic Preservation included Pågat on America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list.

📌APIA Every Day (106) - Nestled on Ofu Island in American Samoa, the To'aga site holds immense historical and archaeological significance, spanning nearly three millennia of Samoan history. The site boasts a deep and continuous sequence of ceramics dating back over 3000 years, revealing how early inhabitants shaped the landscape and biota, with the discovery of bird bones suggesting significant impacts on the island's bird population. Meticulously studied, it received notable research funding from the Samoa Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service.

The archaeological findings at To'aga offer insights into the complex interactions between early Samoans and their environment, shedding light on indigenous practices, including subsistence strategies and cultural activities. Moreover, the site serves as a valuable resource for understanding broader migration and settlement patterns in the Pacific region. Today, while the To'aga site is uninhabited, local legends persist, such as the To'aga Aitu. Deeply ingrained in Samoan culture, many locals share eerie encounters and show serious respect for these entities. Historical accounts highlight warnings from islanders about the presence of aitu at the To'aga site, with reports of ghostly visitations prompting the relocation of a dispensary due to persistent disturbances attributed to these spirits, reflecting the enduring cultural significance and spiritual connections in the collective memory of the Samoan people.

📌APIA Every Day (105) - Established on February 20, 1920, in Glenn County, California, the Willows Korean Aviation School played a significant role in training fighter pilots for the Korean Independence Movement. Financially supported by Kim Chon-lim, a prominent figure in the Korean American community known as the “rice king” in the northern part of California, the school aimed to produce pilots who could aid in Korea's fight for sovereignty against Japanese rule. The school shut down a year later, ended by a flood that wiped out Chong-lim’s fortune, therefore leaving the school unsupported financially. The school is recognized by both Korean Americans and the Korean government as a pivotal heritage site.

Many notable figures in Korean aviation, such as Park Hee-sung, Lee Yong-keun, and Song Yi-kyun, received their training at the Willows Korean Aviation School. Two graduates went on to join the Republic of Korea Air Force, solidifying the school's legacy as the predecessor of the modern Korean Air Force. Today, efforts by the Willows Memorial Foundation of Korea’s First Aviation School and Air Corps are underway to preserve the school's building and its surrounding airfield, ensuring that its historical significance is properly recognized.

📌APIA Every Day (104) - Situated in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Fort Indiantown Gap, a resettlement and processing center, was established for thousands of Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees after the fall of Saigon in 1975. Refugees first relocated to processing centers in Guam, the Philippines, Thailand, Wake Island and Hawaii before being flown to the four resettlement centers in the United States: Camp Pendleton in California, Fort Chafee in Arkansas, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, and Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania. Refugees were then matched with sponsors through the processing center who agreed to provide food, clothing and shelter until they could become self-sufficient.

Fort Indiantown Gap’s history dates back to 1755 when the colonial government established forts for White settlers against the Susquehannock, an Iroquoian Native American group in Pennsylvania, who has long hunted and cultivated in the area. Moreover, the name “Indiantown Gap” was fashioned from the Native American presence and geography - “Indiantown” referring to the Native American villages and “Gap” pointing to the separation in the Blue Mountains made by a creek that runs through it. Fort Indiantown Gap was created in response to World War II when Pennsylvania agreed to lease the land to the U.S. Army as a training post. Today, the land continued to be managed by the military.

Following the Fall of Saigon and prior to the arrival of the refugees, Fort Indiantown Gap prepared beds, mess halls, medical care facilities, and other needed resources. Refugees began arriving at Harrisburg International Airport and arrived at Fort Indiantown Gap and then taken to an auditorium where they waited to be photographed, interviewed and assigned living quarters. For eight months in 1975, Fort Indiantown Gap housed more than 20,000 Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees and slowly integrated them in American society. Additionally, the 1970s was not the only period in which Fort Indiantown Gap as a refugee processing center; Cuban began arriving to Fort Indiantown Gap during the 1980s after facing issues in the country.

While their significance in housing Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees in 1975, and later cubans in 1980, is important, it is even more important to remember the land that was owned and taken by the Susquehannock Native Americans in the 1750s.