History
AAPI Heritage Month is observed in May. Name at least one of the two primary reasons
It celebrates when the first Japanese immigrants came to the U.S., and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad (May 1969)
The railroad helped open up the West to settlement and development. Nearly 20,000 Chinese laborers worked in hazardous and even deadly conditions for low wages to construct it.
The Māori are an indigenous group that belong to this island.
New Zealand
This Native Hawaiian musician and singer was known for his ukulele playing and incorporation of jazz and reggae into Hawaiian music.
His medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" spent 375 weeks on top of the World Digital Songs chart, making it the longest-leading number-one hit on any of the Billboard song charts.
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
This actress from Hawai'i voiced the titular character in this famous animated children's film that became one of the most watched films across all streaming platforms in the early 2020s.
What's the movie?
Bonus: What's her name?
Moana
Auli'i Cravalho was born in Kohala, Hawaii, and is of Chinese, Native Hawaiian, Puerto Rican, Portuguese, and Irish descent. She was 14 years old when she was cast as Moana, and reprised the role for the 2024 sequel.
A staple root in both Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine, this native root to Southern India and Southeast Asia is used in poi, mashed into a paste, boiled, steamed, fried, baked, braised, and prepared in both savory and sweet dishes.
Taro
The cause of the first large-scale Asian immigration to America.
California Gold Rush (1848-1855)
The California Gold Rush was a period of intense gold mining activity that began in California in 1848 and lasted until the early 1850s. The discovery of gold by James Marshall at Sutter's Mill sparked a massive migration to California, attracting people from around the world seeking their fortune. The gold rush significantly impacted California's development, leading to rapid population growth, economic expansion, and the establishment of new towns.
In 1852, at the peak of immigration, around 20,000 Chinese arrived, constituting nearly 30% of all immigrants.
Approximately what percentage of businesses in the United States are owned by Asians and Pacific Islanders?
About 13%, even though AAPI populations only make up 6.3% of the total US demographic.
Fun Fact: AAPIs had $1.3 trillion dollars of buying power in 2025
This NBA player is known for leading a famous team to a winning turnaround during the 2011-12 season.
Bonus: If you know his team
DOUBLE bonus: if you know his jersey number
Jeremy Lin
Bonus: New York Knicks
DOUBLE bonus: 17
This Netflix series focuses on a first-generation Indian American teenager and her journey through grief and high school
Bonus: if you can name the main actress or creator of the series
“Never Have I Ever”
Bonus: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Mindy Kaling
Founded in Queens, this is the most popular bubble tea chain in the US, boasting over 350 locations across the country.
Kung Fu Tea
Before the coup d'état of the sovereign state, Queen Liliʻuokalani was the last reigning monarch of this Pacific Island.
Hawaiʻi
This state has the lowest population of Asians.
2x points if you can guess the percentage
Montana
Bonus: 1.2%
This actor, of Hawaiian and Chinese descent, is one of the biggest names in Hollywood, having starred in franchises like The Matrix and John Wick.
Keanu Reeves
The youngest of five children of Chinese immigrants, Jonathan Chu (famous director, producer, and screenwriter), began making movies in 5th grade. Known for the Romance, Musical, & Action genres, he has produced over 18 movies today.
Name one of them.
Bonus: +100 for each additional film you can name
Step Up 2: The Streets (2008)
Step Up 3D
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011)
GI Joe: Retaliation (2013)
Now You See Me 2 (2016)
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
In the Heights (2021)
Wicked (2024)
Wicked: For Good (2025)
This Hawaiian chain has over 250 locations throughout the US and Japan, and, to this day, is still family owned. Name the restaurant!
L&L Barbecue
What was the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II?
Bonus points if you can say how many Japanese Americans were impacted.
Japanese Americans were put in internment camps during World War II primarily due to fear of espionage and sabotage after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, authorized the relocation of people of Japanese descent from designated military areas, particularly on the West Coast, to camps in remote inland locations. This decision was driven by a combination of racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and political pressure, even though there was a complete lack of evidence to support the claim that Japanese Americans posed a threat.
Bonus: 120k
What are the three largest origin groups for the US Asian population?
Note: all three are needed for full credit.
Born Micheal Ray Nguyen-Stevenson in Compton, California, this American rapper is of both Jamaican and Vietnamese descent.
Hint: He had a controversial relationship with a Kardashian-Jenner that started when he was 21 and she was 14.
Tyga
His mother, Pasionaye Nicole Nguyen, was Vietnamese, and he is also of Jamaican descent through his father, Stevie J. Stevenson. Tyga's real name is Micheal Ray Nguyen-Stevenson, reflecting his mixed heritage. He has a “Vietnam” tattoo.
Fun fact: Tyga's stage name is short for "Thank You God Always".
This pop girl group formed through "The X-Factor" had Normani and Camila Cabello in it, as well as one of the first major artists of Samoan descent in mainstream Western media.
Bonus: Who is the artist?
Fifth Harmony
Bonus: Dinah Jane
This fried egg omelet, often served with savory sauce (typically gravy) and rice is said to have been invented by Chinese chefs in America as a way to use up leftovers and cater to American palates.
Egg foo young
The first ever Hindu temple in America was built in 1906 by the Vedanta Society. Name the location (city and state) where it still stands to this day.
San Francisco, California
There are 3 regions in the Pacific Islands. Name one of them.
Polynesia, Micronesia, or Melanesia
This British-American author of Bengali descent won the Pulitzer Prize in 1999 for her debut collection of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies. As of 2022, she is the Director of Creative Writing at her alma mater, Barnard College of Columbia University.
Jhumpa Lahiri
This film centers on a Korean American family who moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.
Bonus: Who directed this film
Minari
Fun Fact: "Minari" won a total of 68 awards. The film also received 6 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Original Score. Notably, Yuh-Jung Youn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Bonus: Lee Isaac Chung
These two Asian countries heavily incorporate “SPAM” into their dishes. Name them and the reason why.
The Philippines and Korea – when U.S. Armed Forces were stationed in these countries, they ate cheap canned meat, a.k.a SPAM. When soldiers left, the countries had an abundance of these, and they became incorporated into their food (i.e. Filipino SPAM, egg and rice and Korea’s budae jiggae)