May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month—a time to honor the vibrant contributions and cultural influences of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. When we say "Asian/Pacific," we’re talking about an expansive region that includes the entire Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

This celebration didn’t happen overnight—it took years of advocacy, starting in the late 1970s. By 1992, May was officially designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, packed with stories of resilience and milestones that helped shape our nation.

Why May? It marks two monumental moments in history:

• May 7, 1843: The arrival of the first known Japanese immigrants in the United States.
• May 10, 1869: The Transcontinental Railroad was completed, thanks in large part to the relentless efforts of Chinese laborers who overcame dangerous conditions, low wages and discrimination while playing a crucial role in America’s transportation expansion.

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In Downtown Tempe, we celebrate diversity and inclusion all throughout the year. While May is set aside specifically to celebrate AAPI, our downtown district is home to vibrant and diverse businesses and events that provide opportunities to celebrate all throughout the year.

Here are ways you can celebrate:

• Support AAPI-Owned Businesses: Here is a list of AAPI-Owned Restaurants and Businesses in Tempe you can support. You will find several on the list located right here in Downtown Tempe, including Slickables Ice Cream Sandwich, Matsuri Izakaya on Mill, and Dragon Tea. 
• Attend Annual events, like the Arizona Aloha Festival or Arizona Dragonboat Festival and Downtown Tempe's Festival of the Arts and 2nd Sundays on Mill, which showcase AAPI artists, musicians and vendors to blend cultural expression through art, food, and experiences.  
• Learn about the history of AAPI in Tempe and Arizona. Scroll below for historical information. 

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AAPI History & Contributions in Arizona

Early Immigration & Economic Contributions

• Chinese Immigrants were among the earliest AAPI communities in Arizona, establishing businesses, farming, and working on railroad construction. By the late 1800s, Chinese laborers helped build Arizona’s infrastructure, including key sections of the Southern Pacific Railroad. In Tempe, Chinese-owned grocery stores and laundries became vital to the community. Despite their contributions, they faced discrimination, including restrictive laws and exclusionary policies.

• Japanese Americans played a significant role in Arizona’s agricultural industry, particularly in the Salt River Valley, where they introduced innovative farming techniques that helped transform the region’s crop production. In Tempe, Japanese farmers cultivated vegetables and cotton, significantly impacting the local economy. However, during World War II, many Japanese American families were forcibly removed and placed in internment camps, such as the Gila River Internment Camp south of Phoenix.

• Filipino Immigrants arrived in Arizona in the early 20th century, primarily working in agriculture and mining. Many Filipino families later became part of Tempe’s growing service industry and educational institutions, contributing to the city’s cultural and economic diversity.

Pacific Islanders & Their Impact

• Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI), including Samoans, Tongans, Chamorros, and Fijians, have a strong presence in Arizona, with many serving in the military and contributing to the arts, education, and sports. Tempe has been home to Pacific Islander cultural organizations that celebrate traditional music, dance, and storytelling, preserving their rich heritage.
• U.S. control over Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands led to cultural suppression and economic challenges, including land displacement and resource exploitation. Despite these hardships, Pacific Islanders have continued to contribute to Arizona’s communities, with many finding opportunities in higher education and local businesses.

AAPI Influence in Tempe Today

Today, AAPI communities continue to shape Tempe’s cultural, educational, and business sectors. Arizona State University (ASU) has a strong AAPI student presence, with organizations such as the Asian/Asian Pacific American Students’ Coalition (AAPASC) advocating for cultural awareness and representation. Additionally, throughout the city of Tempe, the food scene showcases diverse AAPI-owned restaurants, contributing to the city's culinary and economic landscape.

By celebrating AAPI Heritage Month, Tempe recognizes and honors the contributions of these communities, ensuring that their stories, struggles, and achievements remain an integral part of the city’s evolving history.

View the Asians and Asian Americans in Tempe, 1880-1980, a report prepared specifically for the City of Tempe Historic Preservation Office. This historic context explores Asians and Asian Americans in Tempe from the 1880s to the 1980s, with broader regional insights, particularly pre-World War II. It builds on existing studies like The Chinese in Arizona, 1870-1950 and the City of Phoenix Asian American Historic Property Survey.

The report includes a narrative history of settlement in Tempe, where the small, dispersed population is documented through individual and family stories. A second section, Management Recommendations, provides guidelines for evaluating related historic properties using National Park Service criteria.

Terminology follows a structured approach, distinguishing between Asian for immigrants and Asian American for U.S.-born individuals. Some groups, like Filipinos and Koreans, were not identified in local records before 1980. Given historical documentation challenges, this report serves as a foundation for further research and recognition.

“In Arizona, early Chinese and Japanese immigrants were distributed throughout the Valley, running small family markets and farms. There never was a Chinatown, Japantown, Koreatown. In the 80’s (when I arrived) representing just 5% of the population, several ethnic groups banded together to seek representation as Asian Americans. That is why today you see a Korean American teaching Chinese American history and a Chinese American teaching Japanese American history and a Japanese American teaching Pacific Islander history. In this way I think our Asian heritage population is uniquely integrated. “

Jason C. Wong, Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders

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AAPI Pioneers in Arizona

Please refer to the Asians and Asian Americans in Tempe, 1880-1980 Report, and also the City of Phoenix Asian American Historic Property Survey - which each highlight AAPI pioneers within Arizona.

1886 - Hachiro Onuki

Arizona Power Service (the Phoenix Illuminating Gas and Electric)

Hachiro Onuki, a Japanese immigrant, arrived in the U.S. in 1876 and later co-founded the Phoenix Illuminating Gas and Electric Company, bringing electricity to Phoenix. He also operated businesses in Prescott and Seattle, including the Oriental American Bank. His legacy remains in Arizona’s modernization and APS’s origins. View Source.

1898 - Yong Woke | Restauranteur

Proprietor of The Tempe Restaurant (affiliated with Tempe House saloon)

Ad in Arizona Republic records his name as Wong Yoke (July 22, 1898)

Early 1900’s - Tom Ping

A resident of Tempe, Arizona, who immigrated to the United States in 1883. By 1900, he was working in a restaurant and lived on Mill Avenue in 1910.

Late 1800’s - Joseph Henry "J. H." Holland was a resident of Tempe, Arizona, recognized as a pioneer in the region. A pioneer and long-term residents of Arizona, indicating his established presence in the community during that time.

1914 – Joseph William Holland(son of J.H.)

• Graduates with honors from Tempe High – 1914

• Enrolls U of A

• Enlists for military service (National Guard or U.S. Army) – 1916

• World War I – 14 months overseas

Enlisted 5 January 1918 and served in World War I – Battery C, 5th Field Artillery

• Electrical engineer – Salt River Project

• Nov. 1919 – severely injured and dies in electrical accident at power plant

• Interred at St. Francis Cemetery, Phx – full military honors

1920- Nakatsu’s Ranch Market | Koryo & Tomi Nakatsu, Farmer

Nakatsu's Ranch Market was a family-owned business in Tempe, Arizona, established by Koryo and Tomi Nakatsu, Japanese-Americans who faced numerous challenges during World War II. After the war, they pursued their dream of opening a vegetable market, purchasing 17 acres of land in Tempe. Their son, James "Jimmy" Masashi Nakatsu, returned from California to assist in growing the Nakatsu Ranch Market until its sale in 1983.

This market was part of a broader community of Japanese-American farmers in Arizona. For example, the Tanita family, originally from Fukushima, Japan, established Tanita Farms in Glendale, Arizona, in 1928. They became one of the state's largest growers and shippers of mixed vegetables, farming over 2,000 acres and producing crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, green onions, radishes, squash, and melons.

These enterprises highlight the resilience and contributions of Japanese-American families to Arizona's agricultural landscape, with Nakatsu's Ranch Market serving as a testament to their enduring legacy. Nakatsu's Ranch Market - 2049 East University Drive, Tempe, Arizona – Works – Tempe History Museum

1927 – Cecilia Holland Chew, daughter of J.H. (Jospeh Henry Holand)

Graduated Tempe High School

1930 – Japanese Flower Garden

Settling near South Mountain, Kishiyama and the Nakagawa families cultivated vibrant flower fields along Baseline Road, making them a major attraction from the 1940s-1970s. Though the gardens are gone, their legacy lives on through Baseline Flowers and Arizona's agricultural history. View source.

Andrew G. Lee & Susana (Soza) Lee

• Pioneer family

• Andrew G. Lee & Susana (Soza) Lee

Early 1980’s – Japanese Spring Training

The Hanshin Tigers, a prominent Japanese professional baseball team, conducted their spring training in Tempe, Arizona, during the early 1980s. A 1981 program from the Tempe History Museum details the team's roster and history during their training period in the city.

Traditionally, Japanese baseball teams, including the Chiba Lotte Marines (formerly known as the Lotte Orions), conduct their spring training within Japan, primarily in regions like Okinawa and Kyushu.

2019 – Arlene Chin | City of Tempe Council

First Asian American woman appointed to the City of Tempe Council.

Arlene Chin is a long-standing resident of Tempe, Arizona, with 50 years in the community. She has held various roles at Arizona State University (ASU), including Director of Scholarship Advancement at the ASU Foundation, and has worked in student financial aid, undergraduate admissions, and student services. Chin's commitment to public service is evident through her participation in numerous city commissions and boards. She served on the Tempe Human Relations Commission, the Tempe Neighborhood Advisory Commission, and was a member of the Tempe Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission in the early 1980s. Throughout her career, Chin has focused on fostering inclusivity and supporting community initiatives. Her extensive experience and dedication continue to contribute significantly to the growth and enrichment of Tempe.

Learn more about Councilmember Chin here.