📌APIA Every Day (349) - San Jose’s Japantown (Nihonmachi) has its earliest roots around 1890 with the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the Bay Area. The Santa Clara Valley, with its abundance of agricultural jobs and the presence of an existing Chinatown, proved especially appealing to the new settlers. From the early 20th century onward, the city’s Japantown began to develop and quickly became a significant cultural center for Japanese Americans living in Northern California. 

Japanese immigrants began establishing businesses and homes in San Jose around 1900, settling alongside one of the city’s Chinese enclaves known as Heinlenville. Like other American Japantowns at the time, the district in its primary stages catered towards single migrant laborers with supply stores, barbershops, and hotels. Eventually, the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907 allowed Japanese women to move to the U.S. and form a more permanent community. As its population grew, Japantown continued to flourish into the 1930s. Many of the district’s most significant historic buildings—including the Kuwabara Hospital, Taihei Hotel, and Okida Hall—were constructed during this period.  

During World War II, the neighborhood’s progress was cut short as the city’s Japanese residents were forcibly incarcerated under E.O. 9066. Almost all of the existing Japanese businesses during this time were closed. After they were eventually able to return to San Jose in 1945, Japantown’s Japanese population nearly doubled by the 1950s. The district continued to thrive until the 1970s when it started facing issues of cultural decline with an aging first generation Japanese American community. Revitalization efforts began in the 1980s with the installation of historic markers and the restoration of existing buildings. 

Today, San Jose’s Nihonmachi is one of only three surviving historic Japantowns in the United States, alongside those in San Francisco (APIA Every Day 339) and Los Angeles (APIA Every Day 27). Like its counterparts, San Jose’s Japantown also struggles with the challenges of maintaining historic businesses amidst a declining Japanese American population. Despite these issues, residents continue to maintain the district’s cultural character by celebrating Japanese holidays and traditions through festivals like Obon and Nikkei Matsuri.

📌APIA Every Day (348) - Pi'ilanihale Heiau, located on Maui, is the largest heiau (sacred temple) in Polynesia and one of the best-preserved in Hawai’i. Construction on the building began as early as the 13th century and is believed to have been completed by prominent Maui chief, King Pi’ilani. While not much is known about the original history of the heiau, it’s recognized as one of Hawai‘i’s most significant archaeological sites and offers insight into traditional Native Hawaiian architecture.

The dimensions of Pi'ilanihale Heiau measure approximately 341 feet by 415 feet in length and 50 feet in height. Due to its size, anthropologists initially thought that the structure functioned as a luakini heiau: a sacrificial temple that served large communities and was managed by a high chief or ali'i 'ai moku. However, alternative theories have emerged stating the heiau may have primarily been used as a residence given that “Pi'ilanihale” translates to “house of Pi’ilani.” Operating as a royal compound in this case, the site would have encompassed the king’s  living quarters and personal temple. The last descendant of Pi’ilani historically associated with the heiau was likely Kahekili, an 18th-century Maui chief who unified some of the Hawaiian Islands under his rule.

The site remained largely untouched into the 21st century until 1974, when members of the Kahanu-Uaiwa-Matsuda-Kumaewa family donated the heiau and 61 acres of the surrounding land to the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Restoration efforts were then initiated with the goal of preserving and eventually opening the site to the public. Among those involved in the restoration was Francis Kikaha Lono, a direct descendant of King Pi‘ilani. In 1999, major stabilization work was done on the structure with stonemasons from Hana restacking the heiau’s terrace walls. That same year, local community members commemorated the completion of the restoration project that began nearly 3 decades prior. 

In 1964, Pi'ilanihale Heiau was designated a National Historic Landmark in recognition of its archeological significance. Today, it serves as the piko or cultural heart of the Kahanu Garden. Further research on Hawaiian heiau across the Islands could still reveal more information about Pi’ilanihale and the broader cultural practices of the early Maui Kings. 

📌APIA Every Day (347) - Houston’s large South Asian population began emerging in the 1960s following the passage of the 1965 Immigration Act, which allowed for new immigration from Asia. By the 1980s, part of this community began concentrating around Hillcroft Avenue in what would eventually become the Mahatma Gandhi District. Since then, the area has become a cultural and commercial landmark for local Indian and Pakistani residents and businesses.

In the early 1980s, the neighborhood around Hillcroft Avenue in Southwest Houston was primarily undeveloped farmland with the exception of a fast food restaurant and an auto shop. This began to change as three South Asian businesses opened in the area, including the Sari Sapne clothing store, Karat 22 jewelry shop, and Raja Sweets bakery. The families behind these establishments—the Lullas, Patels, and Gahunias—are considered to be the “founding fathers” of the Mahatma Gandhi District. As more Indian and Pakistani immigrants arrived in Houston, the businesses became a central gathering point for newcomers to find a taste of home.

Soon after, driven by cultural demand, more South Asian businesses moved into the burgeoning neighborhood, leading to an increase in grocery stores, restaurants, clothing boutiques, jewelry shops, and salons. Just a few of these notable establishments include the Himalaya Restaurant, Bombay Sweets, Subhlaxmi Grocers, and Bismillah Cafe. Religious institutions like mosques and Hindu temples also followed, providing space for worship and community events. Over time, the district became more multicultural and is also home to several Persian and Afghan-owned businesses like Saffron Kabob House.

In 2000, local community members and the India Culture Center began advocating for formal recognition of the neighborhood. Eventually, in 2010, the Hillcroft area was officially designated the Mahatma Gandhi District. To commemorate this development, a monument and several street signs bearing the new name were installed throughout the area.

Today, Sari Sapne, Karat 22, and Raja Sweets are still operated by the founding families, standing as some of the city’s oldest South Asian businesses. As a whole, the Gandhi District continues to serve Houston’s population of over 100,000 Indians and Pakistanis, offering a space for locals to enjoy traditional foods, purchase cultural goods, and attend community events.

📌 APIA Every Day (346) - The Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium was built in 1927 to commemorate the 10,000 Hawai‘i residents who served in World War I, including 102 who died. Designed by architect Lewis Hobart in the Beaux-Arts style, it includes a monumental arch and a 100-meter ocean-fed saltwater pool, making it a rare example of this type of facility. The site functioned for decades as a public swimming venue and hosted notable athletes such as Duke Kahanamoku and members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. It also served as a key location for public swim instruction and local recreation until its closure in 1979 due to structural deterioration.

Following its closure, the site became the focus of a long-standing debate between preservation advocates and those favoring demolition. Mo Radke, a Navy veteran and president of the nonprofit Friends of the Natatorium, became involved in efforts to restore the structure after learning about its condition in the early 2000s. Advocates have cited its historical, cultural, and architectural value in making the case for rehabilitation. The site was listed among the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “11 Most Endangered Historic Places” in 1995.

In 2019, the City and County of Honolulu released a final environmental impact statement supporting the restoration of the natatorium. The recommended “Perimeter Deck” alternative would preserve key architectural features, allow ocean water circulation, and address environmental concerns such as sea level rise and water quality. The estimated cost of the project exceeds $30 million, with funding to be raised in part by Friends of the Natatorium. The restoration is targeted for completion by 2027, aligning with the memorial’s 100th anniversary.

📌 APIA Every Day (345) - Edison, New Jersey, located in Middlesex County, is a suburban township known for its cultural diversity and thriving immigrant communities. One of its most distinctive areas is the stretch along Oak Tree Road, shared by Edison and neighboring Iselin, which has become famously known as “Little India.” This vibrant commercial and cultural corridor is lined with South Asian grocery stores, restaurants, jewelry shops, and cultural centers, serving as both a hub for the Indian diaspora and a destination for visitors across the East Coast. Oak Tree Road not only offers the sights, sounds, and flavors of South Asia but also serves as a vital space for cultural expression, religious festivals, and community gatherings.

South Asian immigration to Edison accelerated in the late 20th century, particularly after the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which removed national origin quotas and opened pathways for skilled professionals from countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. As more South Asian immigrants settled in the area, especially during the Information Technology boom of the 1990s and early 2000s, Edison became a preferred destination due to its suburban appeal, strong school systems, and proximity to New York City. Over time, a strong ethnic enclave emerged, with families establishing homes, religious institutions like Hindu temples and Sikh gurdwaras, and small businesses. The area developed into a cultural landmark, reflective of the broader story of South Asian American identity, migration, and community-building.

While there are no ongoing efforts to preserve the cultural district of Oak Tree Road in Edison, how can we understand growing ethnoburbs like Edison to be an increasingly integral part of the American landscape and historical narrative?

Temple Beth El, located at 688 Broad Street in South Providence, was built in 1910 to 1911, reflecting the early 20th-century growth of Providence’s Jewish community. After the congregation moved to the East Side in 1954, the building was sold and later fell into disrepair, despite being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. It was repeatedly named one of the Providence Preservation Society’s Most Endangered Properties. In 2024, the building was donated by entrepreneur Carolyn Rafaelian to the Center for Southeast Asians (CSEA), which plans to restore it as a multicultural community center, preserving its architectural legacy while giving it new life as a hub for community engagement.

Southeast Asian immigration to Rhode Island took root in the late 1970s and early 1980s, as the state became a key resettlement area for refugees fleeing war and political upheaval in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Following the end of the Vietnam War and the rise of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, Rhode Island—particularly cities like Providence and Woonsocket—saw an influx of Southeast Asian families through federal refugee resettlement programs, often coordinated locally by organizations such as the Diocese of Providence and Dorcas International Institute. Despite these obstacles, they began to form tight-knit communities, establishing temples, businesses, and cultural associations that helped preserve their identities while gradually integrating into Rhode Island’s civic and economic life. 

📌 APIA Every Day (343) - Houston's Historic Chinatown, once a vibrant enclave in East Downtown, served as a cultural and commercial hub for the city's Chinese American community. Centered around Smith Street, the area featured notable landmarks such as the On Leong Chinese Merchants Association Building, which hosted festivals and community events. Over time, urban development and infrastructure projects led to the decline of this historic neighborhood, with many original structures demolished or repurposed. Despite these changes, remnants of Chinese architectural motifs can still be found in the area, reflecting the community's enduring legacy. 

The roots of Houston's Chinese community trace back to the late 19th century when Chinese laborers arrived to work on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. Facing discrimination and restrictive immigration laws, early Chinese immigrants established businesses such as laundries, restaurants, and grocery stores, often serving minority communities. In the mid-20th century, particularly during the 1940s and 1950s, a new wave of Chinese immigrants settled in Houston, contributing to the growth and diversification of the community. By 1980, nearly half of Texas's Chinese population resided in Harris County, solidifying Houston's status as a central hub for Chinese Americans in the state. 

Efforts to preserve Houston's Historic Chinatown have faced challenges due to ongoing urban development and infrastructure projects, such as the proposed I-45 expansion, which threatens to erase remaining traces of the original neighborhood. Community organizations and preservationists advocate for recognizing and protecting the area's cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of maintaining historical landmarks and promoting cultural awareness among younger generations. These initiatives aim to honor the contributions of Chinese Americans to Houston's history and ensure that the legacy of Historic Chinatown endures for future generations. 

📌APIA Every Day (342) - Mo’okini Heiau, located within the Kohala Historical Sites State Monument, is one of the oldest heiau (sacred temples) in the Hawaiian archipelago. Believed to have been originally constructed in the 5th century, it is also one of the earliest luakini heiau (sacrificial temples) ever built. The site also neighbors the nearby birthplace of King Kamehameha I, the first ruler of the unified Kingdom of Hawai’i. For centuries, Moʻokini Heiau served as the principal place of worship on the Big Island and continues to remain a significant symbol of the Native Hawaiian religion.

According to tradition, the original Mo’okini Heiau was constructed by high priest Mo’okini sometime before the year 500. Centuries later, the current temple was built atop the old site by high priest Pa’ao between 1200 and 1300. Pa’ao, originally from Tahiti, is credited with founding a line of priests that served the ali'i 'ai moku (supreme chief) of Hawai’i through the 19th century. He is also considered responsible for introducing the concept of walled heiau and sacrificial practices into the Native Hawaiian religion. As a luakini heiau, the Mo’okini temple was dedicated to the war god Ku and represented the spiritual and political authority of the ali'i 'ai moku over the island. Following the birth of Kamehameha I around 1753, the heiau served as the king’s personal war temple during the late 18th century. 

Eventually in 1819, Kamehameha I’s son, Liholiho, decreed that the part of Hawaiian religion associated with heiau should be abolished. While many temples across the islands were destroyed in the aftermath, Moʻokini Heiau and others, such as Loʻaloʻa Heiau (APIA Every Day 176), were able to survive. Over 150 years later, high priestess Leimomi Moʻokini Lum—a descendent of the original Moʻokini—rededicated the historic Mo’okini temple to the children of the land, lifting previous restrictions preventing the general public from entering. In 1994, she then extended this rededication to include the children of the world, opening the site as a place of cultural learning.

In 1962, Mo’okini Heiau was designated a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its sacred importance to the Native Hawaiian religion and to the early rulers of the Islands. Today, the temple remains open to the public as part of the Kohala Historical Sites State Monument and is maintained by heiau guardians—other descendents of Mo’okini—who protect its legacy for future generations.

📌APIA Every Day (341) - Oakland’s Chinatown emerged alongside San Francisco’s Chinatown (APIA Every Day 3) during the 1850s Gold Rush era. After the 1906 Great Earthquake, many of San Francisco’s Chinese residents relocated to the Oakland district to rebuild their businesses and homes. Following this development, Oakland’s Chinatown has remained an essential cultural destination for Chinese Americans throughout the Bay Area for over a century.  

The earliest Chinese immigrants to Oakland first began establishing settlements in the city’s downtown centered around 1st and Castro Streets. Many of these residents worked in canneries, cotton mills, and other low-wage industries, and were drawn to the East Bay by greater access to farmland and job opportunities compared to San Francisco. By the 1870s, due to discriminatory laws and targeted displacement by city officials, the community was  eventually forced to relocate to the district's present location around 8th and Webster. In 1906, the burgeoning Chinatown experienced rapid expansion as thousands of Chinese survivors of the San Francisco earthquake resettled in the Oakland neighborhood. 

In the decades that followed, various social organizations and institutions were established in the area, including the Wa Sung Service Club and the Chinese American Citizens Alliance. By the 1930s, over a dozen schools and multiple churches served the educational and religious needs of the community. During World War II, after the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943, the city’s Chinatown experienced another period of growth as Chinese immigrants were hired to work in shipyards. However, this prosperity decreased in the post-war era as younger generations of Chinese Americans began moving out of the district and various urban development projects were initiated in the area. This led to a period of stagnation until a revitalization began in the 1960s with the arrival of new Asian immigrants, primarily from Southeast Asia. 

Now a multi-ethnic neighborhood, Oakland’s Chinatown continues to serve as a central cultural and commercial district for Chinese and other Asian American communities. However, the area is currently struggling with issues of public safety, poverty, and reduced business  after Covid. In response to these challenges, community members have been organizing new programs and events to help revitalize the area, including hosting the district’s first-ever night market in 2024. 

📌APIA Every Day (340) - 📌APIA Every Day (340) - San Jose’s Little Saigon, centered around Story Road, began forming after the Fall of Saigon in 1975. Throughout the 1970s and ‘80s, thousands of Vietnamese refugees settled in California, particularly drawn by the warm weather and expanding job market in the Bay Area. While Orange County’s Little Saigon (APIA Every Day 274) is home to the largest Vietnamese enclave in the United States, San Jose has the highest concentration of Vietnamese residents in a single city, with an estimated population of 180,000. 

As early Vietnamese immigrants first began to settle in San Jose, they had access to pre-existing Asian businesses founded by the city’s Chinese and Japanese communities. Eventually, Vietnamese entrepreneurs started to form their own commercial corridor along Story Road, composed of various restaurants, supermarkets, and clothing stores. One of the first of these businesses was Lee’s Sandwiches, a banh mi franchise that now operates 60 locations nationwide, including 10 in San Jose. Another major chain, Phở Hòa, first established their original flagship store in the area in 1983. 

In addition to individual restaurants, large commercial and entertainment centers also emerged in the district. In the 1980s, the Lion Plaza shopping mall opened on Tully Road and became a significant cultural gathering space to celebrate Vietnamese holidays like Tết. Other shopping centers followed this development in the 2000s, resulting in the construction of the Grand Century Mall and Vietnam Town. Several local Vietnamese radio and TV stations also operate out of the area, including Viên Thao and Vietoday. 

In 2007, the community faced a divisive controversy as the city officials approved the designation of a business district along Story Road. Many Vietnamese residents wanted the new district to be named “Little Saigon” to honor Vietnam’s old capital while others proposed a more neutral “Vietnam Business District.” Then-Councilwoman Madison Nguyen settled on a compromise, voting for the creation of a “Saigon Business District.” Protests from the community, however, led to the name being rescinded in 2008. Residents continued lobbying for the Little Saigon moniker, installing street signs and monuments around the neighborhood, until San Jose officials eventually acknowledged the name in 2013.

Today, San Jose’s Little Saigon continues to exist as a thriving cultural and commercial community. Lingering challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, however, still negatively impact local businesses as they face reduced foot traffic. In response, revitalization efforts such as the Story Road Night Market, launched outside Grand Century Mall in 2024, aim to reinvigorate the district and preserve its cultural legacy.

📌APIA Every Day (339) - San Francisco’s Japantown, or Nihonmachi, is one of the oldest established Japanese communities in the United States. Officially founded after the 1906 Great Earthquake, when a number of pre-existing Japanese enclaves in the city were destroyed, the community re-emerged in the Western Addition neighborhood. For well over a century, Japantown has continued to serve as a significant cultural and commercial center for Japanese Americans living in the Bay Area. 

Japanese immigrants first began settling in San Francisco in 1869, followed by the establishment of the first Japanese Consulate in the U.S. just a year later in 1870. These early residents built their initial communities in Chinatown (APIA Every Day 3) and the South of Market area, where they faced the same discriminatory land ownership and citizenship restrictions as Chinese immigrants. By 1906, a network of Japanese businesses including hotels, restaurants, barber shops, and bathhouses flourished in these districts. 

In 1906, both Chinatown and South of Market were destroyed by the Great Earthquake and subsequent fires. Displaced Japanese residents then relocated to Western Addition, a Victorian-era neighborhood formerly inhabited by European immigrants. By 1910, around 50 Japanese businesses were operating at the heart of the district, serving a population of almost 5,000. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the new Japantown continued to grow, with an expanding commercial district that included grocery stores, boarding houses, hotels, and restaurants. Religious and educational institutions also flourished, with over 40 Christian and Buddhist churches and 17 schools established by the 1940s.

During World War II, the entire San Francisco Japanese community was forcibly removed and sent to incarceration camps under Executive Order 9066. As residents returned to the city in 1945, they slowly rebuilt Japantown and the community’s population returned to its pre-war levels. In the 1950s, the district became the target of one of the nation’s first urban renewal projects. In the following decades, many existing buildings were demolished to make way for new developments, leading to the displacement of thousands of residents and small businesses. Amid criticism from the broader Western Addition community, later phases of redevelopment began to emphasize the district’s Japanese cultural identity.

Today, San Francisco’s Nihonmachi is one of only three remaining historic Japantowns in the United States, alongside those in San Jose and Los Angeles (APIA Every Day 27). In recognition of this historical significance, Japantown was designated San Francisco’s first official Cultural District in 2018. Even though the district is currently struggling with a shrinking Japanese American population, the community remains active in preserving its heritage by hosting annual cultural festivals and celebrations. In 2024, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the long-anticipated renovation of the Peace Plaza—symbolizing a new chapter in Japantown’s legacy.

📌APIA Every Day (338) - Historic Filipinotown (HiFi) in Los Angeles emerged in the post–World War II era of the 1950s, following the destruction of the city’s original Little Manila neighborhood. Filipino migration to Southern California began as early as the 1920s, spurred by the 1924 Immigration Act, which exempted Filipino workers from immigration quotas. Since then, the Filipino community has continued to grow in L.A. with HiFi serving as an important cultural district filled with Filipino restaurants, churches, and social organizations. 

The initial Filipino enclave of Little Manila, centered around modern-day 1st Street and Weller Court, thrived in the city’s downtown between the 1920s and 1940s. The district presented a safe haven for local Filipino laborers who struggled with racial segregation and hostile working conditions. Eventually, urban renewal policies led to the destruction of Little Manila to make way for new freeways and a modernized city center. The displaced residents moved westward and established a new community surrounding Temple Street, the present site of Historic Filipinotown. The new district grew steadily during the 1970s and 1980s as more Filipino immigrants settled in the area, fleeing a dictatorial government in the Philippines. 

During the early 21st century, various cultural monuments and street art displays were installed in Historic Filipinotown. This included the 1995 creation of the "Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana" mural and the 2006 dedication of the nation’s only Filipino American World War II Veterans Memorial. Around the same time, however, the district also  began to face issues of diminishing cultural visibility and gentrification. Despite these pressures, landmark businesses like the Tribal Cafe, organizations like the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles, and religious centers like the Filipino Christian Church (APIA Every Day 84) continued to endure. 

Historic Filipinotown was officially designated a Los Angeles historic-cultural neighborhood in 2002, an occasion marked by the unveiling of a new community monument. In 2022, a decorative gateway arch was dedicated at the district's eastern entrance, reflecting renewed efforts to increase visibility of Filipino culture and identity in the area. Today, HiFi continues to celebrate the city’s Filipino heritage through annual events like the Historic Filipinotown Festival and Parade.

📌APIA Every Day (337) - The Japanese American Historical Plaza, located along the Willamette River at the edge of Portland's Chinatown/Japantown district (APIA Every Day 33), was dedicated and opened to the public in 1990. The memorial remembers and honors the 120,000 Japanese Americans who were forcibly incarcerated during World War II, including the approximate 4,000 Japanese Americans living in Oregon at the time that Executive Order 9066 was enacted, 

Robert Murase, a landscape architect and third-generation Japanese American, was inspired to create the plaza after attending a Day of Remembrance event—an annual observation of the day Executive Order 9066 was signed into effect. In 1988, as Portland was preparing to complete the northern end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the city issued a call for design proposals. Murase’s plan, which he submitted with support from local businessman Bill Naito and the Japanese American Citizen League, was selected the same year. 

The design of the plaza features thirteen engraved basalt and granite stones that guide visitors through the history of Japanese Americans, from early immigration to the present. Inscriptions on the stones include the names of ten World War II incarceration camps, as well as a plaque quoting an excerpt from the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which issued a formal government apology for the unjust imprisonment of Japanese Americans. Poems composed by local Japanese American writers, including Lawson Inada, Shizue Iwatsuki, Masaki Kinoshita, and Hisako Saito, are engraved throughout the site. The surrounding cherry blossom trees, a gift from Japan, were planted in honor of the plaza’s dedication in 1990.

Today, the plaza is administered by the Japanese American Museum of Oregon (formerly the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center) and remains open to the public. It continues to serve as a space for remembrance, reflection, and education. Occasionally, events honoring Japanese history, such as the observance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Memorial Day, are organized by local Japanese American organizations and hosted at the plaza.

📌APIA Every Day (336) - The Arch of Healing and Reconciliation, dedicated in 2018, is a recently constructed monument in Bellingham, Washington that honors Asian American immigrants who faced racist attacks and expulsions throughout the city's early history. It specifically commemorates three pivotal events: the expulsion of Chinese Americans in 1885, the incarceration of Japanese Americans in 1942, and particularly, the violence against Indian Americans who were targeted in the 1907 Bellingham Riot. Recalled as one of the largest discriminatory events against South Asian immigrants in the United States, the 1907 riot violently forced hundreds of Punjabi Sikh migrant workers out of the city. 

In early-20th century Bellingham, the Asian immigrant population numbered in the hundreds, including Chinese, Japanese, and Indian workers. Previously in 1885, following the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, a hate campaign boycotting and threatening Asian businesses had pushed many of the Chinese residents out of the city. In 1906, a group of Indian men—mostly Sikh laborers from Punjab—had begun settling in Bellingham to work in the city’s lumber mills. By 1907, around 250 Indians were employed by local factories and a prevalent rumor insinuated that they were replacing white workers for lower wages. White labor leaders and members of the local Japanese-Korean Exclusion League (later renamed the Asiatic Exclusion League) began calling for their removal. On Labor Day on September 2nd, these sentiments lead to an organization of over 1000 union members parading through the town in protest. 

As Indian workers arrived at their jobs the next day, tensions quickly escalated and led to the riot on September 4th. That night, a mob of 500 white men violently rounded up the city’s South Asian population from their homes and workplaces, destroying property and beating individuals in the process. Over 100 Indian residents confined themselves in the City Hall’s basement jail to escape the attack. Within ten days of the riot, Bellingham’s entire South Asian community fled the city, seeking refuge in other towns across the Pacific Coast. In the aftermath, only five rioters were arrested for their crime, but were later released after no witnesses came forward to testify against them.

A century later, in 2007, members of the Lyndon Sikh Gurdwara began to initiate efforts to formally recognize the victims of the 1907 riot and other discriminatory events against Asian immigrants. This culminated in the construction of the Arch of Healing and Reconciliation in 2018. Using 10 tons of red granite from India, the monument features several plaques recounting Bellingham’s exclusionary history, highlighting the events of 1885, 1907, and 1942. Today, September 4th is annually commemorated as a Day of Healing and Reconciliation and the arch continues to promote cross-cultural understanding—representing a doorway into a more inclusive future. 

📌APIA Every Day (335) - The Ozawa Boarding Houses, established in the early 20th century, include the only pre-war Japanese boarding house in L.A. that remains in operation. Comprising two buildings—the still-active Ozawa House and the adjacent Joyce House—these residences provided support to early Japanese Americans facing housing discrimination and racist immigration policies in California. For over 100 years and counting in the case of the Ozawa home, the boarding houses have served as important cultural centers, allowing immigrant residents to find community and stability in an unfamiliar country. 

During the early 1900s, as the first wave of Japanese immigrants arrived in California, many began settling in ethnic enclaves throughout Los Angeles. In 1914, Tsyua and Sukesaka Ozawa purchased a house in the emerging neighborhood of J Flats. As the Japanese population in the area grew, the Ozawas and their adjacent neighbor converted their homes into boarding houses to meet the demand for affordable housing. In addition to providing affordable residential units, the buildings also contained employment agencies that helped Japanese community members find jobs. 

By 1942, the Ozawas were operating both boarding houses, primarily housing single men who worked as local gardeners, farmers, and laborers. During World War II, the Ozawas were incarcerated at Heart Mountain, Wyoming, while a neighbor maintained operation of their homes in their absence. After the war, the buildings offered shelter and support to any returning community members struggling with displacement. The Ozawas also supported new business developments in the community, contributing to the construction of a neighborhood Judo Dojo and Japanese language school. They continued managing the boarding houses through the 1980s and expanded their reach by purchasing an additional four properties in J Flats. 

In 2021, the last Japanese family managing the boarding houses sold the buildings to a local developer. In response, the current residents of the Ozawa house formed a Tenants Association to advocate for the continued protection and maintenance of their home. Meanwhile, local neighbor Lindsay Mulcahy began an application to designate the boarding houses as a historic-cultural monument. Throughout the year, however, the residents struggled with habitability issues caused by the new landlord and ongoing construction. At this point in time, only seven elderly tenants remained in the 23-room boarding house. 

In 2022, the nomination passed and the two Ozawa Boarding Houses were officially designated as a Los Angeles historic-cultural monument. Today, a few elderly Japanese men still live in the Ozawa House. While the building is now safe from demolition threats, the tenants still worry about possible eviction amid growing gentrification in the area. Despite this challenge, local community members and advocacy organizations continue to support the remaining residents, working to preserve the boarding houses as living symbols of resilience and community in L.A.

📌APIA Every Day (334) - For 25 years, from 1925 to 1951, the Jaisohn Memorial House in Media, Pennsylvania served as the residence of Dr. Philip Jaisohn (Seo Jae-Pil) and his family. A key revolutionary advocate for Korea’s independence, Dr. Jaisohn was the first Korean American to become a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1890. From his home in Media, he practiced medicine and worked to raise awareness of Korea's struggle for freedom against Japanese colonial rule. 

Born in 1864 in Kanae Village, South Korea, Philip Jaisohn received an extensive education and was one of the youngest people in the country to pass the Civil Service Examinations at age 18. In 1884, at the age of 21, he took part in a failed coup attempting to modernize Korea’s government. Forced to flee to Japan and later to the United States as a political refugee, Jaisohn arrived in America in 1885. Soon after, Jaisohn enrolled at the Hillman Academy in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and later at George Washington University in D.C., where he  became the first Korean to obtain an American medical degree in 1892. Two years later, he married Muriel Armstrong, marking the first recorded interracial union between a Korean and white American. 

In 1896, Dr. Jaisohn journeyed to Korea and initiated a series of democratic reforms, founding the first Hangul (Korean script) newspaper and the Korean Independence Club. Returning to the U.S. in 1898, he later established stationery stores in Wilkes-Barre and Philadelphia, using the profits to support Korea’s independence movement. Dr. Jaisohn remained politically engaged in the States, organizing the First Korean Congress conference in Philadelphia and founding influential organizations such as the Korean Information Bureau, League of Friends of Korea, and the Korean Review Journal. After settling in his Media home in 1925, he returned to medicine following a nearly 30-year hiatus. In 1936, he opened a general practice clinic in Chester and continued publishing scientific articles in both English and Korean. 

Dr. Jaisohn passed away in 1951 at the age of 87. His ashes were repatriated to Korea in 1994 where they were buried at the Korean National Cemetery. After the passing of his daughter Muriel, the Jaisohn Memorial House was donated to the city. Following extensive restorations, the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation opened the home to the public in 1990. Today, the house operates as a museum, showcasing exhibits that honor Dr. Jaisohn’s accomplishments and his vision for a free and democratic Korea. 

📌APIA Every Day (333) - Located in San Francisco’s Union Square district, the New Delhi Restaurant is one of city’s oldest operating Indian dining establishments. Founded in 1988 by Head Chef Ranjan Dey, the restaurant first opened in the historic Hotel Ramona, built in 1914. Over 35 years, the restaurant has served as a popular gathering space for the local South Asian community and is renowned for serving specialty dishes from across India with a San Francisco twist. 

Ranjan Dey originally began his restaurant career at the age of 14, working in hotels in Kolkata and New Delhi. Eventually, Dey moved to Hong Kong, where he met his wife, Kodi Gamble, while working at the Viceroy of India. In 1984, Dey opened his first New Delhi Restaurant in Kowloon, and its success led the couple to launch three more locations in Hong Kong and Bangkok by 1987. After the birth of their daughter, the Deys moved to Kodi’s home country of the U.S. and settled in San Francisco. The following year, Ranjan Dey consolidated their existing international businesses to establish the New Delhi Restaurant in San Francisco. 

The restaurant’s grand opening in 1988 was attended by then-Mayor Art Agnos and has since remained a popular destination for celebrities and politicians including Kamala Harris as well as Bill and Hillary Clinton. Various local South Asian organizations, including Non-Stop Bhangra, the South Asian Bar Association, and the Gulabi Gang, have also held foundational meetings and events at the establishment. In 2007, the New Delhi Restaurant launched the Compassionate Chef’s Cafe initiative, donating proceeds to support children in San Francisco’s Tenderloin After-School Program and the Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, India. 

In 2020, the New Delhi Restaurant was officially designated a San Francisco legacy business, becoming the first Indian-owned establishment to be included on the register. However, in 2025, the business is currently struggling with potential closure as the city’s downtown faces reduced foot traffic since the 2020 pandemic. In response to this challenge, Dey continues to explore creative strategies to attract new customers—such as hosting live events like “Curry-Oke” nights—to keep the restaurant’s cultural legacy alive.

📌 APIA Every Day (332) - The Forty Acres is located just west of Delano, California, along Garces Highway in the heart of the state’s agriculturally rich Central Valley. This region has long relied on the labor of migrant communities, including generations of Mexican, Filipino, Chinese, and other Asian workers who formed the backbone of California’s agricultural industry. Surrounded by expansive fields and vineyards, The Forty Acres emerged in a landscape shaped by both exploitation and resistance. Its proximity to Delano—a town with a deep history of Filipino and Mexican farm labor—allowed it to become a powerful organizing hub for multiracial solidarity in the fight for farmworkers' rights. Here, the intersection of Latino and Asian American histories played out on the frontlines of one of the nation’s most significant labor movements.

Established in 1966 by the United Farm Workers (UFW), The Forty Acres became the movement’s first permanent organizing site and a symbol of self-determination for farm laborers. While César Chávez and Dolores Huerta are often recognized as central figures, the contributions of Asian Americans—particularly Filipino laborers—were crucial to the farmworker movement’s foundation. Filipino workers, many of whom were part of the aging manong generation, were the first to walk out during the Delano Grape Strike of 1965, led by Larry Itliong and the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC). It was their action that prompted the later unification with Chávez’s predominantly Mexican National Farm Workers Association, forming what would become the UFW. The Forty Acres stands as a testament to this multiracial collaboration, and the nearby Paulo Agbayani Retirement Village, built to house retired Filipino farmworkers, honors their lifelong contributions to labor justice.

Today, The Forty Acres is preserved not only as a National Historic Landmark but also as a living reminder of the multicultural roots of the farm labor movement. Preservation efforts led by the César Chávez Foundation, in collaboration with the National Park Service and Asian American community organizations, have focused on maintaining the physical site while elevating the stories of the Filipino and other Asian American workers who helped shape this history. Educational programs, interpretive exhibits, and commemorative events at The Forty Acres now strive to reflect the full diversity of voices involved in the struggle for farmworker rights. Through these efforts, The Forty Acres continues to serve as a space for honoring the unity forged across racial and ethnic lines in pursuit of dignity, justice, and equity for all workers.

📌 APIA Every Day (331) - The Gila River War Relocation Center was located on the Gila River Indian Reservation in south-central Arizona, approximately 30 miles southeast of Phoenix. The center was divided into two separate camps—Canal and Butte—spread across the flat desert terrain of the reservation near the towns of Sacaton and Chandler. Situated within the lands of the Akimel O'odham (Pima) and Pee-Posh (Maricopa) peoples, the camp was one of ten incarceration sites used during World War II to forcibly confine Japanese Americans removed from the West Coast. The location’s remoteness, extreme heat, and limited natural resources made life difficult for the incarcerated individuals, while also imposing additional burdens on the tribal communities whose lands were used without their consent.

The Gila River War Relocation Center opened in July 1942 and operated until November 1945. At its peak, it held over 13,000 Japanese American men, women, and children, making it one of the largest of the incarceration camps. The residents were housed in hastily built barracks and subjected to military-style surveillance, surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by watchtowers. Despite the harsh conditions, those incarcerated at Gila River established schools, newspapers, places of worship, and even sports leagues, demonstrating resilience and a strong sense of community. Notably, some of the young men imprisoned there volunteered for military service, including the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, one of the most decorated units in U.S. history. The incarceration left a lasting impact on the Japanese American community and the Gila River Indian Community, whose land was used without proper restitution.

Preservation efforts at the Gila River War Relocation Center have been ongoing, though challenging due to the remote location and limited remaining structures. Much of the original site has returned to desert or agricultural use, and access to the land is restricted, as it is still part of the Gila River Indian Community. However, the Japanese American community and members of the Gila River Indian Community have worked together to ensure that the memory of the incarceration is not lost. Memorials have been established near the site, and historical markers provide context for visitors. Organizations such as the Japanese American Citizens League and the Gila River Indian Community collaborate to support educational initiatives, host remembrance events, and advocate for greater recognition of the site’s historical significance. These efforts are part of a broader movement to acknowledge injustices committed during World War II and to honor the resilience of those who endured them.

📌 APIA Every Day (330) - San Diego’s historic Chinatown was located in what is now the Gaslamp Quarter and parts of the Marina District, centered around Third Avenue between Market and Island Streets. This area, which once served as the heart of the Chinese American community in San Diego, was modest in size compared to other major Chinatowns but held great cultural and historical significance. The neighborhood was conveniently situated near the waterfront and the Santa Fe Depot, which allowed residents easy access to both economic opportunities and incoming goods. Though San Diego’s Chinatown never developed into a large enclave, it functioned as a vital center of cultural and social life for Chinese immigrants, including boarding houses, restaurants, laundries, and community organizations that helped maintain cultural traditions and provide support for newcomers.

The history of San Diego’s Chinatown dates back to the late 19th century, when Chinese immigrants arrived in the region seeking work on railroads, in fishing, agriculture, and later, service industries. By the 1880s, a small but close-knit Chinese community had formed in the downtown area. However, like other Chinatowns across the U.S., San Diego’s Chinatown faced significant racial discrimination, restrictive immigration laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and periodic hostility from the broader public. Despite these challenges, the community endured for decades, carving out a space that blended Chinese traditions with American urban life. Over time, demographic shifts, redevelopment, and the decline of the Chinese population in the area led to the dispersal of the original community, leaving behind only fragments of what was once a vibrant cultural district.

In recent years, a renewed effort has been to preserve the legacy of San Diego’s historic Chinatown through the creation of the Asian Pacific Historic District. Organizations such as the Chinese Historical Museum, located in the restored Mission Building at Third Avenue and J Street, serve as important cultural anchors and educational resources. Preservationists and community advocates have worked to document oral histories, restore historic buildings, and install interpretive signage to educate the public about the neighborhood’s past. While many of the original structures have been replaced or repurposed, the ongoing efforts to commemorate Chinatown’s history aim to ensure that the contributions of San Diego’s Chinese American community are not forgotten in the face of urban change.