Please introduce yourself and share your AAPI identity.

My name is Leilani Hoglund, daughter of Debra Charlene Hoglund and Allen Richard Hoglund. My mother is full Chamorro from the island of Guam, born in Oahu, Hawaii and my father is Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, German, Irish and French....so my grandmother used to say ...just tell folks you are Heinz 57? I grew up in California and as a child I would always say that I was Guamanian, as Chamorro is mainly used for those native to the island of Guam and those who were born and have lived on the island. My grandfather was in the Navy and very proud of his heritage, so much that he helped found the Sons and Daughters of Guam Club in National City, San Diego, CA. He was proud to be a Guamanian (even though he was born and raised in Guam), it was not until much later in my life did I learn more about my family history and why he was adamant about being a Guamanian versus a Chamorro. I learned that it was the Navy that wanted to distinguish between the two names and because of the tragic events to my great great grandparents that took place during World War II, my grandfather wanted to be proud of his new identity.

What does AANHPI heritage month mean to you? How do you experience it?

I still have mixed feelings about the combining of the different identities only because as a Pacific Islander, I feel that we don't have very many on our campus and liked when we celebrated separate months. It now feels like we are competing to be seen in some ways, but also like that there is so much effort and collaboration in AANHPI in order to be seen!

What's a local restaurant rooted in your culture that you'd recommend?

Guam Grub is located in the Everett Mall and then there is Ray & Dee's Chamorro Food in Silverdale. I heard there is a new one in Beacon Hill called Family Friend, but I haven't tried it yet and do not see the traditional meals that I am used to seeing in my culture, it gives more of the fusion type vibe to me!

What's a cultural dish that makes you feel rooted in your culture?

Estufao, red rice, kelaguen and finadene...with Bunuelos for dessert!

Is there an artist, creator, or storyteller from your AAPI community that you love? Who are they and why do you love them?

An artist I love from the PI community would be Toka Valu, he is an amazing artist and perhaps you have already driven by and seen some of the murals installed around Seattle and King County. His website is: https://www.tokavalu.com/ and you can see his artwork on Instagram @tokavalu.

And then I have two favorites sisters that I love working within the education system! Sui-lan Hookano is an educator, amazing storyteller and such a wonderful loving person! I met her while working on a project to start a PI Charter school and planning the Aspire Summit, she worked for GRC and is now the Cultural Support Program Manager at Enumclaw School district, she works with our youth and many projects and programs in the state with UW and her canoe ohana when she is not in Hilo, she is teaching students here in the Pacific Northwest about our culture, how to canoe and how to navigate and create our own Mo' oelo!

My favorite storyteller and a new author who recently started her own Consulting Firm and wrote Guiding Principals of Aloha and a kids book called Let's Live Aloha! Is Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza- Tunnell. her website is: https://www.co3consulting.net/ and you can buy her book at www.bookshop.org/shop/evolutionofaloha!

Please introduce yourself and share your AAPI identity.

Talofa Lava! My name is Leilani Salu, I use she/her pronouns and I identify as Samoan-American.

What does AANHPI heritage month mean to you? How do you experience it?

May gives me anxiety in all the worst and best ways for me. Growing up, May was one of the very few ways I could really see and learn about myself. It was a moment in the year I looked forward to all the celebrations, luaus, and heritage events. But let's be real, more often than not these 'celebrations' of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage are usually put on by overworked, underpaid and burnt-out people of color. I still remember the tireless nights, times I missed class, countless meetings and constantly advocating as a student planning heritage events. Too many times have I seen mentors, friends and community pour themselves into cups filled with bottomless cracks. May gives me anxiety in that I still see my people give so much of themselves for one moment, one month in a year. My anxiety around May serves as a reminder for me not bind my identity and who I am to a calendar. So although the month of May is my anxiety demon that annually tells me to put blood, sweat and tears into events 'because its AANHPI month', I use it as an opportunity to take a step back and remind myself to give me grace, love and patience.

What is a value or practice rooted in your AAPI community that you are proud of?

A value that guides me and the work I do is an old Samoan proverb, 'O le ala i le pule o le tautua'. Translated, it means 'the path to success is through leadership and service'.

Is there an artist, creator, or storyteller from your AAPI community that you love? Who are they and why do you love them?

Epeli Hau'ofa is a scholar, novelist and poet who has played a key role in my life and why I do the work that I do. His work, Our Sea of Islands and The Ocean in Us have shaped the ways in which I carry myself. My favorite quote comes from The Ocean in Us: “Oceania is vast, Oceania is expanding, Oceania is hospitable and generous, Oceania is humanity rising from the depths of brine and regions of fire deeper still, Oceania is us. We are the sea, we are the ocean, we must wake up to this ancient truth and together use it to overturn all hegemonic views that aim ultimately to confine us again, physically and psychologically, in the tiny spaces which we have resisted accepting as our sole appointed place, and from which we have recently liberated ourselves. We must not allow anyone to belittle us again, and take away our freedom.”

Please introduce yourself and share your AAPI identity.

I'm Dr. Joan King and I'm a Korean American daughter of immigrants.

What does AANHPI heritage month mean to you? How do you experience it?

To be honest, I am not a fan of heritage months. This country loves designating heritage months to virtue signal. I celebrate being Asian American every day. What should be an opportunity for folks outside of our communities to come together to celebrate and learn more about our cultures has now become a crippling burden on my people. I watch as my folks overwork themselves to throw something spectacular for the month of May; a group, mind you, that already experiences disproportionate workload since as a whole, this country expects BIPOC people to go above and beyond. So what should be a month of reflection and learning becomes a parade of exhaustion, pushing past work-life balance, and contention as the country suddenly looks to us to put on a show. Meanwhile, many white communities fear contributing to the heavy lift because they are terrified of cultural appropriation, and we've lost sight of the difference between appropriation and appreciation. And because AAPIs struggle to even ask for help in the first place (Google: “Group identity”), we’re left on our own once again. Not to mention, the impossibility of a truly inclusive AAPI heritage month that includes over fifty cultural identities and doesn't make space for intersectionality. Because someone decided to cram together AA and PI, we faced a lose-lose situation when we fail to encompass all identities. So I ask, if heritage month is truly for us, why do many of my people groan, and dare I say, dread the arrival of May?

What's a local restaurant rooted in your culture that you'd recommend?

I get quite a few recommendations for Korean food from non-Korean folks, and they usually end up being disappointing. But then again, I don't eat out when I want Korean food... I go to my mom's house.

What is a value or practice rooted in your AAPI community that you are proud of?

This might sound strange to some, but I value my intergenerational "anger". Koreans are notorious for carrying the intergenerational trauma response of being fiery. It helped us survive colonization. We needed that fire to preserve our culture and our heritage when our books were burned, and our language was banned. I proudly carry the sacrifices of my ancestors who fought to survive. And in turn, that makes me a survivor. I always marvel when people come to the same conclusion when they meet me: They describe me as "spicy". They always use that word, and I just can't help coming across that way. I just don't know how to be anything else because it's in my blood. I'm four star spicy. I might not be what you ordered, but then again... I don't really care what you ordered.

Please introduce yourself and share your AAPI identity.

I’m Amanda, a faculty librarian! I’m Chinese-American. I was born in the deep south (Alabama) and have moved steadily west over the years. Washington is my 7th state to live in, and I attribute this life journey to my immigrant parents who were always looking for a better opportunity when I was a child. My father was born in Mississippi and his side of the family comes from a long line of laborers (pre-1960s Chinese migrants) in the railroads and mines. That part of my family was part of the “Delta Chinese”. My mother immigrated to the U.S. when she was a child, during the post-1960s era of “educated labor” - my grandfather got work as an engineer and brought her, her siblings, and my grandma over from Taiwan.

What does AANHPI heritage month mean to you? How do you experience it?

I free-wrote my thoughts about AANHPI month when I wrote a collegewide email earlier this month. And, re-reading that response, I feel like it is still true to my general feelings about the month. So, I’m re-posting a slightly revised version of what I had written there, to give folx a chance to read it (in case the email fell into their inbox black hole).

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AANHPI month is always a mixed blessing and curse for those of us in the AANHPI community. To me, it often means a lot of extra labor to produce "celebrations" and content for others to enjoy...labor that we take on because so many of our communities are rooted in service to others and we are not prone to making visible the hard back-breaking efforts we put ourselves through. This labor is not only done with great love, but it is usually not recognized or remembered outside of our community.

On the other hand, this month is one of the only times in the year when the nation and others outside of our communities truly take time to "see" us. We do not often share ourselves widely, and many of us do not ask for recognition or visibility. But the issues we struggle with, the burdens we carry, have the potential to be carried by others, in this one moment. It would be lovely if everyone were to celebrate and honor AANHPI communities every day of the year, just as we do for ourselves. But we know that is not always the reality.

So, I know deeply that we can take care of our own, no problem. But a small part of me does like it when others take the time to care for us, too. Perhaps, for now, having a nationally recognized month is the reminder people need to see voices that often scream in silence. Despite the burden that is often placed on AAPI communities during this month by the nation and systems of power...I do look forward to AANHPI month, if only so that others make the time to "see" me...when it is such a difficult thing for me to ask for myself.

What is a value or practice rooted in your AAPI community that you are proud of?

I’m not entirely sure how to call this practice, but it’s something like “I am my family, and my family is me”.

Sometimes this can manifest itself in toxic ways...for instance, the immense mental health challenges that Asian American students often face because their grades are an extension of their parents/family’s success. Thus a “unsatisfactory grade” is not only the student’s “failure”, but also the “failure” of their family. It is seen as deeply shameful, and, combined with a community that struggles to seek help, leads to severe impacts when a student is struggling in school (suicide rates among Asian American teens is quite high).

Like many cultural values and practices, it is a double-edged sword.

However, the reason why I am proud of this value is because it also means that I am part of a larger picture. What is mine is my family’s, and what is my family’s, is mine. We share our happiness collectively, just as much as we share our burdens.

I remember once my (white) husband telling me how he sometimes worries about losing his job, and the financial trouble we will face.

I understood that worry, and it is something we all might face. But, in that moment, I also realized why I did not feel that fear as deeply as he did. It’s because I knew, without a doubt, that I would have someone to turn to if times became tough. Just like my parents took my little cousin in for a year when we were kids, when my aunt broke her leg. Or when my aunt’s house burned down, and everyone shipped boxes and boxes of supplies and clothes to her immediately. Or even when a car has been passed between families and younger generations so often (from cousin to cousin to cousin...) that it is now known as “the family car”. In the end, I know that things will be okay. I have my family. And, as an AAPI individual...this includes my non-blood AAPI family as well. We are all each other’s aunties and uncles and cousins. We all take care of each other.

What is a stereotype that is commonly associated with your AAPI community or culture? What's your experience with that stereotype?

As an East Asian individual, I run up against the “model minority” stereotype quite often, and it’s a lose-lose situation. On the one hand, I am expected to be a “good” minority, but white people are taken aback when I “don’t smile enough” in a job interview. Or, when people find a typo in a document I created, because “it’s not like (you) to make mistakes”.

On the other hand, I’m not “of color” enough, or oppressed enough, to be seen as a part of the collective anti-racist movement.

I’m okay with this, to some extent. I acknowledge my privilege, as a minority more closely aligned with whiteness in this racial caste system we live in. I recognize my responsibility in fighting to combat my internalized whiteness that has been ground into me by my elders when assimilation was the key to survival.

But I am also filled with rage, for myself, and for my auntie who tells me to “always laugh at the white man’s joke”. I hate that I am placed in a position with high expectations that I can never successfully accomplish.

Is there an artist, creator, or storyteller from your AAPI community that you love? Who are they and why do you love them?

I wanted to end my interview on a more affirming note! But, since it’s long enough, I’ll just drop one artist recommendation here: Mimi Choi. She’s an amaaaaaazing makeup illusion artist. Check out her website portfolio (Mimi Choi Makeup Artistry — creatives) or Instagram (@mimles)!

I love that she is this amazing Asian woman who goes hard into this alternative art form (makeup) with themes and ideas that are wild, often sprinkled with various Asian cultures, and something disturbing to the point of grotesque. She takes a feminine aesthetic medium and her use of it defies images of the China Doll or geisha. I find her work mesmerizing.

Please introduce yourself and share your AAPI identity.

I'm Robert Bean, Carpentry Faculty. My AANHPI identity is Thai. Although I am mixed race (Father was Caucasian and Mother is Thai), I have always found more interest in Thai culture and have always been considered by most people as "non-white" anyway.

What does AANHPI heritage month mean to you? How do you experience it?

The AANHPI heritage month is still too new for me to have it be very meaningful yet. So, I don't currently have a way of experiencing it. But I anticipate this is the perfect excuse for me to try different foods and cuisine that I am not familiar with.

What is a stereotype that is commonly associated with your AAPI community or culture? What's your experience with that stereotype?

Some people don't know there's a difference between Thailand and Taiwan. People have asked, "What's your heritage?" I'd say "Thai" and they respond "Oh, Taiwan?" Or "oh Thailand, spicy food". "you must like spicy food" or "I love Thai food".

What's a local restaurant rooted in your culture that you'd recommend?

It's difficult to recommend a Thai restaurant so I'll recommend 2. My choice, because it's closer to where I currently live, is Khao San Thai Cuisine100 Front St S, Issaquah, WA 98027. My Moms favorite place is Royal Orchid Restaurant http://www.royalorchidthaicuisine.com/.

What's a cultural dish that makes you feel rooted in your culture?

I like using Prik King with beef as a measuring stick for food quality and spiciness level.

Please introduce yourself and share your AAPI identity.

My name is Third Andresen and I am Filipino American whose ancestors migrated in the mid 1920s from the Philippines to Seattle when the "Philippine Islands" was a United States territory/colony.

What does AANHPI heritage month mean to you? How do you experience it?

AANHPI heritage month to me is collective solidarity effort in order to have a political influence in our society. It is also a month to acknowledge AANHPI history, contributions, and resilience. AANHPI heritage month is an opportunity to address anti-Blackness and settler colonialism that Asian Americans participate in and benefit from the context of the system of White supremacy everyday whether we know it or not. It is also an occasion to address the colorism prevalent in the Asian American community and the lack of representation and space for the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. I experience AANHPI heritage month by participating in teach-ins, educational workshops, community engagement and organizing efforts, and other AANHPI cultural-based activities. I actually celebrate Filipino American history month in October more than the AANHPI in May.

Is there an artist, creator, or storyteller from your AAPI community that you love? Who are they and why do you love them?

While I acknowledge that many of these artists draw inspiration from Black culture within the context of music, I also make it a point to listen to and support numerous Filipino American artists such as Bruno Mars, H.E.R. Saweetie, Apl de AP, Ruby Ibarra, Rocky Rivera, Klassy, Dj Qbert and the Invisible Scratch Pickles, Dj Babu from Dilated Peoples, Blue Scholars, Olivia Rodrigo, Dj Nasty Ness (one of the godfathers of Seattle Hip Hop) and others that I forgot to mention. I support them because they are at most respectfully representing the Filipino American community in some way or the other through their artform.

Who is your role model in your AAPI community?

The inspirational community organizers in AANHPI community (I'm getting flustered and overwhelmed with emotions as I type their names) for me are:

• Haunani-Kay Trask-Kanaka activist, educator, author, poet, and a leader of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.
• Dorothy Cordova- Matriarch of the Filipino American community in Seattle who founded the Filipino Youth Activities and Filipino American National Historical Society. In her 90s, she continues to spend her time advocating for social justice issues, preserving Filipino American history, and empowering the Filipino American youth.
• Yuri Kochiyama-Japanese American Civil Rights activist who was right next to Malcolm X on the day he was tragically shot and killed in 1965. She advocated for Black and Asian solidarity.
• Grace Boggs-Chinese American activist and philosopher who exemplified the power of organizing between Black and Asian communities in the pursuit of racial justice. Her work highlights the importance of discovering shared interests, committing to collective action, and cultivating resistance.
• Helen Zia-Chinese American journalist and activist for Asian American and LGBTQ rights, played a pivotal role after Vincent Chin's murder. She helped establish American Citizens for Justice, which successfully advocated for a federal trial.
• Larry Itliong-Filipino American labor organizer and a key leader in the Delano grape strike of 1965, which united Filipino and Mexican American farmworkers in the fight for better wages and working conditions. His efforts were instrumental in the formation of the United Farm Workers (UFW) alongside César Chávez and Dolores Huerta.
• Philip Vera Cruz- a Filipino American labor leader and a founding member of the United Farm Workers (UFW), who played a crucial role in the Delano grape strike of 1965. His lifelong dedication to improving the rights and working conditions of farmworkers made him a significant figure in the labor movement and the fight for social justice.
• Fred Cordova-Filipino American community organizer who founded the Filipino Youth Activities and the Filipino American National Historical Society along with Dorothy Cordova. He spent his lifetime advocating for social justice issues, preserving Filipino American history, and empowering the Filipino American youth.
• Bruce Lee- Chinese American martial artist and activist from Seattle. Lee's activism extended beyond the screen as he actively fought against racial discrimination in the entertainment industry. He refused roles that perpetuated harmful stereotypes and pushed for authentic representation of Asian culture and philosophy. Lee's philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, which emphasized adaptability and self-expression, mirrored his broader vision for societal change, advocating for breaking down barriers and embracing diversity. Bruce Lee's legacy of resilience and resistance against racial stereotypes has also found a strong sentiment in Hip Hop culture. Many Hip Hop pioneers and artists see Lee as a symbol of strength and perseverance, someone who overcame significant obstacles and broke down racial barriers in Hollywood. Moreover, Lee's visual impact—his iconic poses, fluid movements, and distinctive fashion sense—has been a source of inspiration for Hip Hop's visual art forms, including graffiti, break dance/bgirl/bboy, and fashion. References to Bruce Lee appear frequently in lyrics, music videos, and performances, underscoring his enduring influence on the culture.

What's a local restaurant rooted in your culture that you'd recommend?

The emergence of Filipino/Filipinx diaspora food in mainstream US society is 100 years in the making. While a lot of Filipino Americans think that this is a good thing, others may see it as another way to commercialize and co-op Filipino food by non-Filipinos particularly by the White-owned establishment. In my perspective, there is no such thing as "authentic" food once it becomes diasporic.

James Beard nominee- one of the most expensive Filipino American restaurant out here: https://www.archipelagoseattle.com/

Seattle Met restaurant of the year: https://www.musangseattle.com/

For deserts such as ube cheese cake/cookies and spirits https://www.hoodfamousbakeshop.com/

Or you can always visit your Filipino American friend's house to enjoy some home-cooked Filipino food from their parents (if they cook).

Please introduce yourself and share your AAPI identity.

I am of south-Indian origin from the state of Kerala. I speak Malayalam, but having spent many years in Mumbai, I also speak Hindi and can understand and speak little bits of Marathi.

What does AANHPI heritage month mean to you? How do you experience it?

I don’t do anything special by myself, or for myself and my family, which is multiracial. I do enjoy being exposed to cultural presentations (particularly by PBS) during this month.

What do terms like "AANHPI" or "AAPI" mean to you? How do you experience them?

I have only recently begun to understand these terms and to identify with these groups.

What is a stereotype that is commonly associated with your AAPI community or culture? What's your experience with that stereotype?

That Indians are either brainy and good at math or spelling, or like Apu in the Simpsons. That we all speak with the same Apu-like accent which is an entirely made-up accent that I have never heard in a real person from the Indian sub-continent.

What's a local restaurant rooted in your culture that you'd recommend?

• The Himalayan Café near Ikea in Renton has good cheap food.
• East India Grill in Federal way is pricey.
• Golden India Curry House in Tukwila.

What's a cultural dish that makes you feel rooted in your culture?

There’s a lentil and vegetable soup called sambar from south India. I grew up eating rice and sambar nearly every day. Some “pappadams” to go with as well.

Is there an artist, creator, or storyteller from your AAPI community that you love? Who are they and why do you love them?

There isn’t a singular person of art that I could say I am a fan of. The Indian subcontinent has a rich tradition of English literature both modern and colonial and I’ve read many wonderful stories and poems. I also like to listen Indian classical music and songs from older (pre-1980s) Hindi and Malayalam musicals. Authors I’ve enjoyed reading include Arundhati Roy (God of Small Things), Rabindranath Tagore (Gitanjali), Vikram Seth (A Suitable Boy), Salman Rushdie (Shame) and Suketu Mehta (Maximum City).

Who is your role model in your AAPI community?

I can’t really identify any one person. There are numerous social reformers and leaders from the time of India’s freedom struggle with the British who inspired me growing up and they still do.

What is a value or practice rooted in your AAPI community that you are proud of?

Share alike, care for your family.

Please introduce yourself and share your AAPI identity.

V. Tina Christian – Black on the paternal side and Japanese on the maternal side

What does AANHPI heritage month mean to you? How do you experience it?

AANHPI means a celebration of all things within those cultures and appreciating lessons, accomplishments, ancestors, history etc that comes with it. I celebrated with a power point presentation to my office one year. It also, means discussions with others who are of the Asian ancestry and talking about differences and similarities within the diaspora, as well as educating others about Asian culture. This weekend I am challenging myself by cooking a full Japanese dinner set with all the various dishes. Also, it is not just a one month celebration for me, it is all year long as I embrace myself and others who appreciate AAPI’s.

What's a local restaurant rooted in your culture that you'd recommend?

Maneki or Fuji Sushi in the CID.

What's a cultural dish that makes you feel rooted in your culture?

Nigiri Sushi of which ‘hamachi’ is my favorite!

Who is your role model in your AAPI community?

Masako Inukai Christian, my okasama (mother) who taught me so much and meant the world to me even though she had all those Japanese rules. 😊

Please introduce yourself and share your AAPI identity.

aloha mai kākou, konnichiwa, nǐ hǎo, olá – born to my parents, malcolm anthony chang of o`ahu (mānoa) and sylvia ann crivello of hawai`i island (onomea), i come from the windward side of the island of o`ahu in the kingdom of hawai`i…kailua and mānoa is where i call home. as a child of my parents i am hapa (chinese, japanese, hawaiian, portuguese) with some sprinkles of ancestry from korean and northern africa. i am a dedicated daughter, loving wifey, proud mommy and awesome sister 😃 hawai’i is home and i try to share my hapa identity in how i show up always through story sharing, code owning and bringing the voices and mana (power) of my ancestors with me always.

What does AANHPI heritage month mean to you? How do you experience it?

for me, being aanhpi isn’t reduced to just a month. i live in this body with my experiences 365 AND i’ll take a ‘named’ month to additionally highlight my culture(s) and my people(s). honestly, many times i experience this month through the eyes of others where i take the time to share, teach, redefine what systems have mistakenly taught folx about what it means to be kanaka, kama`aina, hapa, etc. as someone who has lived more years on the continent than at home (kingdom of hawai`i), i also use this month as a reminder to check in with my mind, body and soul to help me better understand and honor my own intersecting identities.

What's a local restaurant rooted in your culture that you'd recommend?

oooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhkayyyyyyyy! local grindz…my jam. just going to list off some of my faves:

• patrick’s café - burien
• saimin says – tukwila
• kona kitchen – seattle
• lucky horse – kent
• mauka shave ice – follow on ig or fb to find food truck
• seattle poi company – instagram ordering

What's a cultural dish that makes you feel rooted in your culture?

hot laulau with chilipeppah water, side of poke, side of pipikaula and a big ole bowl of fresh poi

Is there an artist, creator, or storyteller from your AAPI community that you love? Who are they and why do you love them?

yes! artist, activist, culture champion, mana wahine…kumu hinaleimoana wong-kalu. why? more like why wouldn’t i? she is a native hawaiian third-gender māhū, teacher, cultural practitioner, filmmaker, author and a transgender wahine (woman) who elevates, centers and protects/perpetuates indigenous languages and traditions. she embodies what it means to be kanaka and the importance of our kingdom, culture, people and traditions.

Please introduce yourself and share your AAPI identity.

Hello, 안녕하세요! I’m Jimmy Yang, a storyteller, filmmaker, failed comedian, and hopeless romantic – emphasis on the hopeless part. You might know me as the guy running around campus with a camera in hand, capturing moments in my role as a Media-Video Producer in College Relations.

My special skills include dancing barefoot in a field of wildflowers, writing a love letter by candlelight, and standing in the rain while giving a speech about being in love. Speaking of love, it took a lot of grand gestures, heartfelt moments, and just the right amount of awkwardness, but I’ve grown to love being Korean American.

Imagine if Kimchi and Apple Pie had a child; little bit of Seoul with soul – that would be me. I am proud of my heritage and love to share my culture, imperfections and all.

What does AANHPI heritage month mean to you? How do you experience it?

On one side, I hold a lot of gratitude for AANHPI month. To be acknowledged in this world is an awesome thing. But also, it sucks that I've always felt like when we – and I mean people who look like me – are celebrated, it gets institutionalized, and we get boxed together. Half of me feels like the month is a bit of a backhanded compliment. Like, "Oh, my little sibling wants to play the game too. Let's give him the unplugged controller so he can be quiet and feel good about it." That's what it feels like at times.

Experiencing AANHPI Month is like being in a Y2K rom-com where cultural pride and modern identity try to find love. It's watching "Parasite" win an Oscar and feeling like we all just won the Best Family Dinner Award. It's also navigating through the awkward moments, trauma, but also laughing at stories that only someone who grew up with a Korean mom would understand, like the universal panic of hearing, "Did you eat?" as both a greeting and a threat.

In essence, AANHPI Heritage Month is about pride and reflection, celebrating the milestones of our community, from political leaders to pop culture icons. It's about remembering the strength and perseverance of my ancestors, grandparents, and parents, who lived their lives with little more than hope and a recipe for the perfect kimchi. They taught me that our culture isn't just something in the past; it's a living, breathing part of who we are.

What's a cultural dish that makes you feel rooted in your culture?

A lot of Korea's best comfort foods were originally considered peasant food. However, it reminded me that there's no need to have it all. You can always create something loving with what you have.

Kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) is made with fermented kimchi, tofu, pork, and a medley of vegetables, all stewed together to create a hearty and flavorful dish. The beauty of kimchi jjigae lies in its versatility and the personal touch each family brings to it. My mom's version is uniquely hers, with a little extra of something-something and a secret ingredient she never reveals. It's a dish that evolves with time but remains anchored in tradition.

Another dish that holds a special place in my heart is miyeokguk (seaweed soup) which is traditionally served every birthday. Miyeokguk is made from seaweed, often with beef or seafood, simmered in a light, savory broth. I remember many birthday mornings where I dreaded eating it because I didn't feel like it or because I didn't care for tradition. Still, to this day, she makes sure I eat it every birthday. I savor every bite realizing that it's basically a love language.

What is a value or practice rooted in your AAPI community that you are proud of?

Han is a uniquely Korean spiritual emotion that encompasses a mix of grief, longing, and resilience. It's often described as a profound sense of sorrow and unresolved bitterness, born from Korea's tumultuous history of invasions, occupations, and hardships. However, han is not just about suffering—it's also about endurance, collective strength, and an unwavering spirit. It's said that every Korean carries this Han as a fiery flame within their soul.

Han is reflected in Korean art, literature, music, and daily life. You can hear it in the mournful notes of pansori, a traditional Korean musical storytelling genre, and see it in the powerful brushstrokes of traditional Korean paintings. You see it in the eco-technological boom and thriving entertainment industries (shoutout K-pop and K-Dramas). Han is the silent determination that pushes generations to strive for a better future despite the weight of the past.

For me, han represents the incredible resilience and depth of the Korean spirit. It’s a reminder that our collective experiences, no matter how painful, shape our identity and foster a sense of unity and solidarity. This shared understanding of suffering and endurance creates a deep bond within the Korean community, encouraging empathy and support for one another.

Please introduce yourself and share your AAPI identity.

My name is Dayna-Joy Calubaquib. I was born and raised on Maui, Hawai'i.

Many would assume that I am Hawaiian, but I am not. This is because although I did grow up in Hawai'i, I personally do not have any Hawaiian ancestry in my family. However, growing up in Hawai'i has made me appreciative and knowledgeable of the culture that I proudly had the opportunity to apart of.

I am full Filipino. My parents migrated from the Philippines in the 1980s, after their parents had settled in. After many nights of discoing, my parents got married in December 1990. I have 3 older siblings and till this day, my family continues to live in the house my Grandpa Aresenio first chose to live in. My childhood consisted of traveling to the Philippines very often, where I would spend majority of my Summer and or Winter breaks. I was fortunate enough to have the experience of living in both Hawai'i and the Philippines, as many others did not get the same opportunities.

What does AANHPI heritage month mean to you? How do you experience it?

For me, AANHPI heritage month is a moment of reflection and celebration. I truly did not start to appreciate my identity/background until I moved away from home. I think it was because I never knew what it meant to be deeply rooted to who I was or proud of where I came from. I never imagined being where I am today. Who once a small island girl now navigating the higher education system, breaking down barriers for students who also have struggled to find their confidence in who they are and where they fit in. I am living proof that no matter where you come from, you can achieve beyond what you imagine for yourself. Keep yourself grounded in who you are and watch your roots grow.

What's a cultural dish that makes you feel rooted in your culture?

Because I grew up around both the Hawaiian and Filipino culture, I am going to say one for each.

A cultural dish that makes me feel rooted in the Hawaiian culture has to be Lau Lau or Kalua pig and cabbage with Lomi salmon AND the Hawaiian sweet potatoes.

A cultural dish that makes me feel rooted in my Filipino culture has to be dinuguan also known as pig meat covered in pig's blood.

What is a value or practice rooted in your AAPI community that you are proud of?

A value or practice that is rooted in my AAPI community that I am proud of is the idea of getting together or what my family calls it "tunu tunu" which means to cook using a grill. Whatever the occasion may be, a birthday, a holiday, my Family has a tradition of getting together every weekend. Sometimes there might not even be a reason but you will always find my family together eating. I am proud of this because as you get older there is a realization that time becomes precious, and you never know when the last time is going to be the last time. This has made me grateful because many families do not get the opportunity to get together or even see each other as often as my family does.