📌APIA Every Day (210) - Following the 1864 gold strike in Last Chance Gulch, Chinese immigrants began arriving in Helena, Montana. Their numbers grew rapidly, and by the 1870s, they comprised approximately 10% of Montana's territorial population. A distinct Chinatown district emerged, stretching five blocks below Reeder's Alley between South Main and lower State Streets.

Chinese residents in Helena contributed significantly to the local economy through various activities. Many worked on constructing the Northern Pacific railroad across Montana in the 1880s, while others engaged in laundry work, restaurant operation, domestic service, and merchant trading. The Yee Wau brothers exemplified this entrepreneurial spirit, dealing in Chinese merchandise and groceries from 1876 to 1886 in the Yee Wah house, one of the few structures from this period that still stands today.

The Chinese community in Helena persisted into the 20th century, maintaining long-standing businesses such as the Yat Son restaurant. However, discriminatory legislation like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 took its toll. By the late 1890s, the population began to decline and became predominantly male. Urban renewal efforts in the 1970s erased much of the original Chinatown, though some Chinese-owned businesses continued operating into the 21st century. The Yat Son restaurant, for instance, relocated to East Helena in 2003. Today, archaeological investigations of the former Chinatown site provide valuable insights into the daily lives of these early Chinese residents, preserving their legacy in Helena's rich history.

📌APIA Every Day (209) - The Crystal City Family Internment Camp, established in Texas in 1942, was the only camp for Japanese individuals and families during World War II. While also housing German and Italian incarcerees, it primarily held Japanese Latin Americans forcibly removed from their countries and brought to the U.S. as part of a hostage exchange program with Japan, as well as Japanese Americans from the United States. At its peak in 1944, the camp held 3,374 incarcerees, with approximately 2,371 of Japanese descent.

The incarceration process typically began with the arrest of male heads of households, followed by the relocation of their families to Crystal City. Prior to arrival, incarcerees underwent mandatory disinfestation procedures at INS detention centers. The camp's layout included family bungalows, schools, and various facilities. Despite marginally better living conditions than other sites, it remained a place of confinement, surrounded by barbed wire and guard towers.

A unique aspect of Crystal City was its linguistic diversity. While many incarcerees were Japanese Americans, a significant number were Peruvian Japanese who primarily spoke Spanish. Following Japan's surrender in 1945, incarcerees faced complex decisions regarding repatriation. On December 11, 1945, ships departed from Seattle carrying Japanese, Japanese American, and Japanese Peruvian incarcerees back to Japan, while some families with American-born members faced difficult choices about whether to stay in the U.S. or relocate.

The camp operated until February 27, 1948. In the aftermath, many Japanese incarcerees, especially those from Latin America, found themselves in legal limbo, sometimes remaining in the U.S. as undocumented immigrants. The Crystal City detention facility represents a significant, yet often overlooked, aspect of the Japanese incarceration experience during World War II, highlighting the international scope of U.S. policies and their lasting impact on individuals and families of Japanese descent from various parts of the Americas.

📌APIA Every Day (208) - Ewa Villages originated as a residential area for workers of the Ewa Sugar Plantation, which was established in the late 19th century. The plantation, known for its high productivity and mechanized harvesting techniques, provided housing, schools, and recreational facilities for its largely immigrant workforce, primarily Filipino families. Key subdivisions included Fernandez Village, Tenney Village, and Varona Village.

Located on Oahu's southwestern coast, the Ewa Sugar Plantation Villages played a significant role in Hawaii’s economy, culture, and politics throughout much of the 20th century. The district, which includes Varona, Tenney, and Renton Villages, reflects various ethnic and cultural influences in its layout and architecture. Worker houses were designed for cross-ventilation and painted in restricted colors like white and rust. Prominent buildings, such as the administration building and plantation store, were designed by notable architects such as Hart Wood and William Furer.

In 1971, the plantation ceased operations, and Oahu Sugar Co. took over, leading to demographic shifts as many long-term residents left. In the 1980s, the City and County of Honolulu acquired Ewa Villages to address the need for affordable housing. The Ewa Villages Project, launched in 1991, focused on restoring historic homes for both former plantation families and new residents, which led to some tensions over balancing preservation with modern development.

Today, Ewa Villages has transitioned into a suburban area, contributing to the growth of Oahu’s "Second City" around Kapolei. The area remains historically significant, with landmarks such as the Honouliuli Internment Camp. The Ewa Villages Historical Society, represented by members like Agnes Malate, Emy Tagama Keola, and Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand, continues to work on preserving the community’s cultural heritage, as highlighted during the National APIAHiP Forum in September.

📌APIA Every Day (207) - Little Pakistan, an ethnic enclave in Brooklyn, New York, began forming in the early 1980s along Coney Island Avenue. The neighborhood's growth was catalyzed by the opening of the Makki Masjid mosque in 1982, attracting Pakistani immigrants to the area. Following the Immigration Act of 1990, the Pakistani population in New York City grew from approximately 15,000 to nearly 40,000 by 2000. The area developed into a cultural and commercial center for the Pakistani diaspora, with numerous businesses catering to the community.

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks marked a turning point for Little Pakistan. In the aftermath, the neighborhood became a focus of intense law enforcement scrutiny, with hundreds of Pakistani immigrants detained, often for minor immigration violations. The implementation of the Special Registration Program in 2002 led to numerous deportations and voluntary departures. Concurrently, the community experienced a sharp increase in hate crimes and harassment, resulting in a significant population decline and business closures. In response to these challenges, community organizations emerged to support the remaining residents. The Council of Peoples Organization (COPO), founded by Mohammad Razvi in 2002, became a central institution in Little Pakistan, providing legal assistance, educational programs, and acting as an intermediary between the community and law enforcement agencies. Despite these efforts, the impact of the post-9/11 period has had lasting effects on Little Pakistan, though the neighborhood has partially recovered in recent years.

In December 2021, a section of Coney Island Avenue in Little Pakistan was officially renamed "Muhammad Ali Jinnah Way" after Pakistan's founder. This renaming was the result of a resolution adopted by the New York City Council on December 26, 2021, following years of lobbying by the Pakistani American community, particularly the Pakistani American Youth Organization (PAYO). The unveiling ceremony took place in 2022, attended by City Council member Jumaane Williams, who had piloted the resolution, and Pakistani Consul-General in New York, Naeem Iqbal Cheema. The event included the formal unveiling of the road sign and celebrations by local Pakistani Americans. This renaming recognizes the contributions of the Pakistani community's presence in Brooklyn, adding to the visible markers of Little Pakistan's cultural identity within New York City's diverse landscape.

📌APIA Every Day (206) - Originally part of the El Cerrito estate, the property passed through the hands of several renowned Californians before being purchased by Eugene J. de Sabla Jr., co-founder of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, in 1906. Around 1907, de Sabla commissioned Makoto Hagiwara, the renowned designer of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park Japanese Tea Garden, to create an elaborate Japanese-style garden on the property. This timing coincided with a growing trend among wealthy Californians to embrace Japanese aesthetics in landscape design, moving away from Victorian-style gardens.

Hagiwara's design for the de Sabla garden showcases key elements of traditional Japanese landscape architecture. The nearly one-acre space incorporates features of both Higurashi-en ("a garden worthy of a day of contemplation") and Shin-style hill gardens. These include a man-made mountain partially constructed with volcanic Japanese rock, a stream flowing into a waterfall and koi-filled lake, stone lanterns, a Buddha statue, a tsukubai (water basin), and a bamboo fence with a roofed entrance. The Ryoku-style teahouse, completed around 1909, evokes a rustic farmhouse with shoji screen doors, plaster walls with wood beams, and traditional interior elements.

The garden's preservation offers a rare, intact example of Hagiwara's private commissions and provides insight into the adaptation of Japanese garden principles to California landscapes. It reflects the cultural exchange between Japan and the United States in the early 20th century when Japanese aesthetics were increasingly influencing American design. The garden's historical and cultural significance was officially recognized in 1992 when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. As one of the few surviving examples of Hagiwara's work outside of public spaces, the de Sabla garden serves as an important resource for understanding the integration of Japanese garden design in American private estates of the period.

📌APIA Every Day (205) - The House of Taga is an archaeological site located near San Jose Village on Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands. It features latte stones, foundational structures unique to the Mariana Islands, dating back approximately 800 years to the Latte Era of Chamorro culture. The site originally comprised 12 sets of latte stones, each measuring 15 feet in length. These structures consist of vertical pillars (haligi) topped with hemispherical capstones (tasa) and functioned as foundation posts for wood and thatch houses. The latte stones were quarried about 4,000 feet south of the site, indicating significant labor investment in their extraction, transportation, and erection. The site's name is derived from a legendary chief called Taga, who is said to have erected these pillars. While cultural legends associated with Taga exist, these should be distinguished from archaeological evidence. The House of Taga was part of a larger complex containing 18 similar constructions, most of which were destroyed during the urban expansion of Tinian Town prior to the end of World War II.

Historical documentation of the site began with British explorer George Anson's visit in 1742, when all twelve stones were still standing. Subsequent visitors documented the site's gradual deterioration, including French explorer Louis Claude de Freycinet in 1819 and Governor Luís de Ibáñez y García in 1872. Currently, only one pillar of the House of Taga remains standing, with the others having fallen due to earthquakes and other factors. Despite this, the site continues to be a subject of archaeological and historical research. It serves as a tourist attraction, offering insights into prehistoric Chamorro architecture and engineering. The House of Taga is considered the largest known latte site in the Marianas and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

📌APIA Every Day (204) - The Ah Louis Store, constructed in 1885 in San Luis Obispo, California, is a two-story Victorian Italianate brick building that replaced an original wooden structure from 1874. Located at the corner of Palm and Chorro Streets, it was the first Chinese-owned store in San Luis Obispo County. The store served multiple functions for the local Chinese community, operating as a general store, post office, bank, and employment office. It also acted as a gathering place for community events such as Chinese New Year celebrations. The building was constructed using bricks from the brickyard owned by its founder, Ah Louis.

Ah Louis, born as On Wong in 1840 in China's Guangdong Province, immigrated to North America between 1856 and 1861. After initially participating in the California Gold Rush, he settled in San Luis Obispo and became a prominent labor contractor. Louis supplied Chinese workers for major infrastructure projects in the county, including railroad construction, road building, and the construction of the Port San Luis Wharf. In addition to the store and brickyard, he established a flower and vegetable seed business. His various enterprises played a significant role in the economic development of San Luis Obispo County in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The store's upper floor served as the Louis family residence from 1885 to 1936. Ah Louis and his second wife, Eng Gon Ying Louis, raised their eight children there. On September 30, 1909, a tragic incident occurred when Eng was murdered in her sleep. Willie Louis, Ah's oldest child from his first marriage, was convicted of the crime and executed in 1912. Despite this tragedy, the store continued to operate until Ah Louis's death in 1936 at the age of 96. As the Chinese population in the area declined in the early 20th century, the store's role as a community hub diminished.

In the years following Ah Louis's death, the building underwent several changes. It was damaged in the 2003 San Simeon earthquake and subsequently restored by Ah Louis's great-grandson. The Ah Louis Store was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on March 26, 2008, and is recognized as a California State Historical Landmark. These designations acknowledge its historical and architectural significance, particularly its role in the Chinese American history of California. Currently, the historically preserved building houses a party planning and supply store. The structure remains a tangible link to San Luis Obispo's past, providing insight into the economic and social dynamics of late 19th and early 20th century California.

📌APIA Every Day (203) - The Alaska Packers Association (APA) Diamond NN Cannery, located at the mouth of the Naknek River in Alaska, was a key site for salmon processing from 1890 until its closure in 2015. Originally a saltery, it was converted into a cannery by the APA, becoming a major industrial facility with structures dedicated to specific functions such as canning, storage, machine repairs, and housing. The cannery's workforce and accommodations were organized along ethnic lines, with bunkhouses designated for Italian, Scandinavian, Filipino, and Chinese workers, though these designations shifted over time. The cannery's operations were integral to the local community, offering employment and services, including a hospital that was used extensively during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.

The cannery's early workforce consisted largely of Chinese laborers who carried out most of the canning process. However, after the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 restricted immigration, the industry turned to other ethnic groups, including Puerto Ricans, Koreans, Japanese, and Mexicans. The introduction of the Smith Butchering Machine in 1905, which could process fish more efficiently, reduced the need for manual labor and accelerated production. By the mid-20th century, Filipino workers became the primary labor force, playing a crucial role in the cannery's operations until women and college students began joining the workforce in the 1980s.

In 2015, as the cannery was set to close, the NN Cannery History Project was initiated to document and preserve its history. Led by historian Katherine Ringsmuth, the project collaborated with various historical and cultural organizations to collect stories and nominate the site for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The cannery was listed in 2021, acknowledging its historical role in Alaska's fishing industry. An exhibit titled "Mug Up" opened in 2022 at the Alaska State Museum to highlight the cannery's work culture and its diverse workforce.

📌APIA Every Day (202) - The On Leong Tong House in Omaha, Nebraska, is a significant landmark in Chinese American immigrant history from the early to mid-20th century. Established around 1916, the On Leong Tong was a Chinese American merchants' association. It aided newly arrived immigrants by assisting with employment and providing short-term financial support. From 1938 to 1959, the building at 1518 Cass Street served as the organization's headquarters and became a focal point for Omaha's Chinese American community.

The structure, originally built as a commercial laundry in 1911, was repurposed in 1938 to house the On Leong Tong. For over two decades, it functioned as the business, social, and cultural center of Omaha's Chinese American community. The building visibly represented the Chinese American presence in the city. It displayed the Nationalist Chinese flag beneath the U.S. flag and featured a sign with Chinese characters along its cornice. The house hosted various events including Chinese holiday celebrations, multi-day feasts, business meetings, and social gatherings. It also accommodated meetings of the Gee How Oak Tin Association, an unrelated Chinese family association, further emphasizing its community importance.

The On Leong Tong House's significance extended beyond its role as a community center. It contributed to the history of Chinese immigration, community development, and cultural preservation in Omaha. The building's influence reached its peak during World War II and the early Cold War period, reflecting the changing experiences of Chinese Americans during these times.

The house's period of historical significance concluded in 1959 with the death of Chin Ming Yuet (also known as George Hay), the organization's leader, which led to the tong's dissolution. Although currently vacant, the On Leong Tong House remains the last known building associated with this organization. It stands as a tangible reminder of Omaha's early Chinatown and the impact of Chinese American merchants on the city's cultural landscape. In recognition of its historical importance, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.

📌APIA Every Day (201) - Located on Bainbridge Island, Washington, is the Filipino American Community Hall, established in 1943 and originating from the 1928 Bainbridge Island Fair Hall. In 1935, the Filipino Growers Association acquired the 10-acre property, including the hall built with lumber from the Port Blakely Mill. During World War II, Filipino farm workers managed farms after Japanese American residents were forcibly removed. In 1945, Filipino farmers incorporated as the Bainbridge Island Filipino Farmers' Association, later transferring the hall to the Filipino American Community of Bainbridge Island and Vicinity.

As the hall became a center for Filipino culture, it also took on special importance for a unique community that emerged on the island. The Filipino American Community Hall holds particular significance for the Indipino community, a group that emerged from marriages between Filipino immigrant workers and Indigenous women from various tribes who came to work on the island's farms in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The children of these unions faced challenges of identity and acceptance in pre- and post-World War II society, making the hall an essential gathering place that fostered cultural connections and provided much-needed support.

As a focal point for cultural preservation, the hall became a safe haven where Indipino individuals could explore and celebrate their dual heritage. It offered a space where they could connect with their Filipino roots through traditional cuisine, music, and dance, while also acknowledging their Indigenous ancestry. This cultural blend was particularly important for a community that often struggled to find its place in the broader social landscape of the time.

Despite challenges, including the U.S. government acquiring part of the property in the 1960s for an Army Nike site (later converted to Strawberry Hill Park), the hall continued to serve as an important cultural landmark. Its historical significance was recognized in 1995 when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, the Filipino American Community Hall continues to play a vital role in preserving and sharing Filipino and Indipino culture. On September 14th, 2024, attendees of the National APIAHiP Forum visited the hall, where they met Gina Corpuz, the hall's Project Administrator and Executive Producer of "Honor Thy Mother." Corpuz, an Indipino native of Bainbridge Island, shared the hall's history and significance. Visitors also viewed a traveling exhibit featuring posters explaining the history of Filipino migration to the U.S. and experiences on Bainbridge Island.

📌APIA Every Day (200) - The Managaha Historic District, a small islet off the west coast of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, is significant for its association with Agruhubw, the Carolinian chief who led the first group of Carolinian settlers to Saipan in 1818. These settlers, displaced by storms, established the first permanent population on Saipan since the Spanish depopulated the island in the early 18th century. The district holds cultural significance for the Saipanese Carolinian community, as it contains Agrub's burial site and a commemorative statue as well as various plants and herbs used in traditional Carolinian medicine. Additionally, the district features remnants of Japanese fortifications from World War II, providing a glimpse into Japan's defensive efforts on Saipan.

Managaha Island is ecologically and historically significant, hosting colony of breeding Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, which nest in burrows mainly on the island's east side. Despite having no permanent residents, the island attracts numerous visitors due to its natural beauty and historical significance. Surrounding the island is a beach that encircles a forested area with various facilities. In recognition of its cultural and historical importance, the entire island is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district.

📌APIA Every Day (199) - The Chinese and Japanese commercial districts in Isleton, California, emerged in the late 19th century following the town's founding by Dr. Josiah Poole in 1874. Isleton's Chinatown was established in 1878 on rented land, initially serving Chinese laborers working on levee construction and land reclamation in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. By the 1890s, it had grown into a well-established community. Japanese immigrants began arriving around the turn of the century, partly replacing the declining Chinese workforce and responding to the booming asparagus industry.

Two major fires in 1915 and 1926 reshaped the area, leading to a clear division between the Chinese area (west of F Street) and the Japanese area (east of F Street). From 1926 until World War II, Isleton's Asian American district thrived, known for its gambling halls and family-oriented community with schools teaching Chinese and Japanese languages and customs. Isleton's Chinese population began to decline in the 1930s and 1940s as younger generations moved to larger urban areas. Filipino workers began moving into the districts, while the success of the canneries maintained stable populations.

The outbreak of World War II and the subsequent incarceration of Japanese Americans in 1942 marked a turning point. During the war, Filipino and Mexican laborers occupied the Japanese district. Few Japanese Americans returned after the war, and those who did soon left for nearby cities. Today, the districts retain much of their 1920s and 1930s character, with unique architectural styles and small gardens throughout. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, the area is currently undergoing construction for the Asian American Heritage Park, which will contribute to historic preservation, promote tourism, and tell the story of Chinese and Japanese immigrant communities in Isleton and the Delta region.

📌APIA Every Day (198) - Honouliuli, opened on March 1, 1943, was the largest and longest-operating World War II incarceration and prisoner of war (POW) camp in Hawaii. Built on 160 acres in west Oahu, the camp was hidden in a deep gulch that incarcerees called jigoku dani, or "hell valley." This site became a focal point of wartime policies following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

The camp held approximately 320 civilian incarcerees, mostly second-generation Japanese Americans, as well as Japanese, German, and Italian permanent residents living in Hawaii. It was divided into sections separated by barbed wire to segregate incarcerees by gender, nationality, and military or civilian status. Honouliuli was also the largest POW camp in Hawaii, incarcerating nearly 4,000 individuals, including Okinawans, Koreans, and Taiwanese captured during Pacific campaigns. In total, over 2,300 Japanese American men and women from Hawaii were incarcerated during World War II, including many prominent community leaders, teachers, journalists, religious leaders, local politicians, and World War I veterans.

Preservation efforts for Honouliuli gained momentum in 2009 when Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka, along with then-Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, introduced bills to evaluate the site for potential inclusion in the National Park System. The site was rediscovered in 2002 by volunteers from the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, having been largely forgotten as vegetation reclaimed the area. On February 24, 2015, President Obama designated Honouliuli as a National Monument, which was later redesignated as a National Historic Site on March 12, 2019, through the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. This designation serves to preserve the site's history and provide educational opportunities. The site now stands as a powerful reminder of civil rights violations during wartime, aiming to educate future generations about this dark chapter in American history. Various organizations, including the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, National Park Service, Historic Hawaii Foundation, and the University of Hawaii - West Oahu, continue to play crucial roles in preservation efforts and public education about the site's significance.

📌APIA Every Day (197) - The Sikh Temple of Wisconsin was formally established in October 1999, but its roots trace back to 1997 when a small group of Sikh families began gathering in rental community halls in Milwaukee's south side. The initial location at 441 E Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee, served a growing congregation of 450-500 people. However, as the community expanded, the need for a larger space became apparent.

To accommodate this growth, the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin purchased 13 acres of land at 7512 S Howell Ave near the airport in Oak Creek. Construction of a new 17,500 square foot Gurdwara was completed on April 13, 2007. This new facility featured a library, educational areas for children, a play area, ample parking, and space for childcare. It also provided accommodations for visiting ragi jathas (priests) from around the country and the world.

Tragically, on August 5, 2012, this temple became the site of a mass shooting carried out by a white supremacist. Six people were fatally injured, and several others were wounded, drawing national and international attention discussions about hate crimes and religious tolerance. Despite this tragedy, the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin continues to serve its community, offering religious services, language instruction, and collaborating with cultural organizations to preserve and celebrate Sikh heritage. It begs the question of how we can preserve religious institutions when horrific or significant events have occurred there?

📌APIA Every Day (196) - Situated in Fresno, California once resided the historic Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple which dates back to 1899 when the first "Howakai" or religious gathering was held. In January 1900, it was officially recognized by the San Francisco headquarters as the Fresno Hompa Hongwanji. The first official service was held on January 27, 1901, led by Rev. Fukyo Asaeda from Kyoto, Japan. A three-story wooden temple was built and dedicated on April 8, 1902, by first-generation Japanese immigrants.

As the community grew, so did its challenges. In 1919, a fire destroyed the original wooden building, but the community quickly rallied to raise funds for a new structure. A concrete temple was built and dedicated in November 1920 by Rev. Kakuryo Nishijima. On November 4, 1936, the Fresno Buddhist Church was elevated to "Betsuin" status by the mother temple Hompa Hongwanji of Kyoto, Japan, indicating its direct branch status and conferring the title of "Rimban" to the head minister.

Over the years, the temple has undergone several changes and expansions. In 2010, a Family Dharma Center was dedicated at the current location on 2690 E. Alluvial Avenue in Fresno, while the original Kern Street property was sold in 2018, becoming the Burmese Mrauk Oo Dhamma Center. Construction of a new Hondo (main temple), which began in November 2020, was completed in April 2022. Today, the Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple serves a membership of over 1,400 people across the San Joaquin Valley. It continues to preserve its rich traditions while ensuring that the teachings of the Buddha remain relevant in modern life.

📌APIA Every Day (195) - Little Manila in Woodside, Queens, began forming in the 1970s when Filipino immigrants, many recruited by Elmhurst Hospital due to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, settled in the area. New York hospitals faced nursing shortages and recruited from the Philippines, bringing many Filipino nurses and their families to Queens. Those who worked at Elmhurst Hospital settled in the surrounding neighborhoods, including Woodside, where the Filipino community has since thrived. By the 1990s, 72% of Philippine immigrants in New York were registered nurses. The nearby Catholic church, St. Sebastian’s, also supported their integration, and over time, the neighborhood developed a distinct Filipino presence with numerous Filipino-owned businesses and cultural establishments.

The official recognition of Little Manila came with the co-naming of the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and 70th Street as "Little Manila Avenue." This recognition followed a two-year advocacy effort that was triggered by a mural honoring Filipino healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A community petition led to the city council passing a bill for the co-naming in December 2021.

Currently, Little Manila is known for its Filipino businesses, including Phil-Am Food Mart and various restaurants. The area is home to approximately 85,000 Filipinos in New York City, making them the third-largest Asian group in the city. In such a diverse state, it is important to recognize and preserve the contributions of ethnic neighborhoods like Little Manila through place-based historic 📌APIA Every Day (195) - Little Manila in Woodside, Queens, began forming in the 1970s when Filipino immigrants, many recruited by Elmhurst Hospital due to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, settled in the area. New York hospitals faced nursing shortages and recruited from the Philippines, bringing many Filipino nurses and their families to Queens. Those who worked at Elmhurst Hospital settled in the surrounding neighborhoods, including Woodside, where the Filipino community has since thrived. By the 1990s, 72% of Philippine immigrants in New York were registered nurses. The nearby Catholic church, St. Sebastian’s, also supported their integration, and over time, the neighborhood developed a distinct Filipino presence with numerous Filipino-owned businesses and cultural establishments.

The official recognition of Little Manila came with the co-naming of the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and 70th Street as "Little Manila Avenue." This recognition followed a two-year advocacy effort that was triggered by a mural honoring Filipino healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A community petition led to the city council passing a bill for the co-naming in December 2021.

Currently, Little Manila is known for its Filipino businesses, including Phil-Am Food Mart and various restaurants. The area is home to approximately 85,000 Filipinos in New York City, making them the third-largest Asian group in the city. In such a diverse state, it is important to recognize and preserve the contributions of ethnic neighborhoods like Little Manila through place-based historic preservation practices.

📌APIA Every Day (194) - The Tui Manu'a Graves Monument is a historical site on Ta'u Island, the largest island of the Manu'a group in American Samoa. Located northwest of the junction of Ta'u Village and Ta'u Island Roads on the island's west side, the monument features a stone platform about 3 feet high. The graves of several Tui Manu'a (kings of Manu'a) are marked here, including Tui Manu'a Matelita and Tui Manu'a Elisala. The graves are distinguished by sections of smoothed stones and a marble column, with a possible unmarked grave in the projection.

The formation of the Tui Manu’a title is rooted in ancient Samoan tradition, believed to be descended from the supreme god Tagaloa. The Manu’a Islands were considered sacred, and the chant "Tui Manu’a Lou Ali’i E" honored the Tui Manu’a title. The cultural and political influence of the Tui Manu’a extended across Tonga, parts of Fiji, and other Pacific islands. The Tui Manu’a kings commanded respect and tribute from these regions, as evidenced by oral traditions, cultural practices, and archaeological findings. Known as the Manuatele or the Faleselau, the empire had a broad reach, influencing Polynesia through trade and cultural exchange. Many Polynesian languages and dialects, such as those in Tikopia, Pukapuka, Uvea, and Tuvalu, have roots in or were heavily influenced by Samoa. The Tui Manu’a kings controlled and regulated interisland trade networks from Manu’a, distributing goods like basalt adzes and obsidian across the Pacific. Despite shifts in political power within Samoa, the Tui Manu’a title maintained its cultural significance. The decline of the Tui Manu’a empire led to increased autonomy for various islands, paving the way for the rise of the Tui Tonga dynasty and other regional powers.

Due to the historical significance of the Tui Manu’a title and the Tui Manu’a Graves Monument, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. It was recognized for being a gravesite of persons of transcendent importance and conveying significant symbolic information about the culture of the islands, fulfilling Criterion A and B.

📌APIA Every Day (193) - Located in Phoenix, Arizona, once stood a Chinatown that developed in the 1870s as Chinese immigrants, primarily single men, formed a community to support each other amid widespread discrimination. Initially, they settled at First and Adams Street, building a community that allowed them to maintain and celebrate their Chinese heritage. By 1890, due to anti-Chinese sentiment and development pressures, the community moved several blocks south to a less visible area centered at First and Madison Streets. This new Chinatown became larger and included various businesses such as grocery stores and laundries. During this time, Louie Ong served as the unofficial mayor, maintaining order within the community.

As the Chinese community prospered, they moved out of Chinatown to take advantage of the city's growth and opportunities, distancing themselves from its negative reputation. Many Chinese-owned businesses began operating outside of Chinatown, further dispersing the Chinese population. This was further encouraged by Chinese leaders who wanted residents to relocate as a means of minimizing attention and conflict associated with high-profile Chinatowns. Additionally, urban redevelopment in the 1980s, including the construction of American West Arena, led to the demolition of the remaining Chinatown structures. Over time, the Chinese community in Phoenix integrated more fully into the broader city, contributing to its economic and social landscape. The combination of economic success, social integration, business relocation, and urban redevelopment ultimately led to the disappearance of Phoenix's Chinatown. How can we best remember and honor the contributions made in Phoenix’s Chinatown?

📌APIA Every Day (192) - In the early 2000s, Walnut Grove, Minnesota, experienced a dramatic demographic shift when Hmong immigrants began residing in the area. This was part of a broader movement of Hmong refugees and immigrants to Minnesota that began in the late 1970s and 1980s following the Vietnam War. Many Hmong fled Laos and Thailand due to their involvement with U.S. forces during the war, seeking stability and economic opportunities. Minnesota, particularly towns like Walnut Grove, offered welcoming conditions with available farmland, job prospects in local factories, and a slower-paced small-town environment.

Surprisingly, the decision for many Hmong families to settle in Walnut Grove was influenced by the town's depiction in the television show Little House on the Prairie. Harry Yang, a former soldier and refugee, chose Walnut Grove after his daughter suggested the town as a peaceful place to raise their family, inspired by the show's portrayal of a friendly community. By the mid-2000s, the influx of Hmong families had significantly shifted the town’s demographics, with Hmong residents comprising over a quarter of the population.

Over time, the Hmong community in Walnut Grove faced challenges as migration rates slowed and many younger Hmong moved to larger cities for educational and career opportunities. Despite the population being smaller, the community has continued to thrive as they preserve their cultural heritage while simultaneously adapting to American society. The unique experience of the Hmong community in settling in Walnut Grove highlights the importance of migration networks and cultural preservation established for a refugee group in America. It poses a question about the ways we think of place-based historic preservation practices for refugee groups settling across the U.S.

📌APIA Every Day (191) - Jacksonville's Chinatown, located at the intersection of Oregon and West Main Streets, was established in the early 1850s as Jacksonville developed rapidly due to the gold rush. Initially a mining camp known as Table Rock City, Jacksonville attracted various immigrants, including many Chinese seeking opportunities in the gold fields. The Chinese Quarter, which formed along West Main Street, featured a mix of wooden and later brick buildings. This neighborhood quickly became a central area for Chinese miners and residents, providing necessary services and businesses. However, as businesses moved to California Street in the 1850s and gold mining declined, the Chinese Quarter gradually fell into disuse.

In the 1870s, the Chinese community in Jacksonville had expanded, with many involved in mining and other local trades. Despite their economic contributions, the Chinese faced significant racial discrimination and restrictive legislation. The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, along with other local taxes and regulations, further marginalized the community and limited their opportunities.

The decline of the Chinese Quarter was marked by a major fire on September 11, 1888, which devastated the neighborhood. Recent archaeological excavations have uncovered important artifacts from this period, providing insights into the lives of Jacksonville’s early Chinese American community. Today, the site of Chinatown is occupied by commercial buildings, residences, and Jacksonville’s Veteran’s Park. Jacksonville was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.