Cuesta College AAPI Month
What is AAPI Month?
May is Asian American - Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month – a celebration of
Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. AAPI Heritage commemoration was
first proposed in 1977 to observe the immigration of the first Japanese to the United
States (May 7, 1843), and the completion of the transcontinental railroad, constructed
mainly by Chinese immigrant workers (May 10, 1869). In 1978, President Carter made
it an annual week-long event and President George H.W. Bush extended the proclamation
to include the entire month of May.
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment
for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution
and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations
of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental
in its future success. Check out the events they are hosting on the following website:
https://asianpacificheritage.gov/
Cuesta College Events
Exploring the History of Asian Americans on the Central Coast
Wednesday, April 13 from 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Room 6304, San Luis Obispo Campus
Emily Pan, creator of the Central Coast Asian History website, has a passion for sharing with others the history of Asian Americans on
the Central Coast. Come join us as Emily, a student at San Luis Obispo High School,
discusses her journey creating the website and shares the little known facts she discovered.
The first 45 attendees will receive free Boba tea!
Preview the website: https://www.centralcoastasianhistory.org/about
AAPI Month Instagram Contest
Contest begins: Monday, April 4
Contest ends: Thursday, April 14
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, the Cuesta Cultural Center is hosting an Instagram
contest featuring the rich history of Asian Americans in San Luis Obispo County.
How do you participate?
Take a picture of yourself at one of the Asian American historical sites found on
this webpage, post it to your IG account and tag @cuestaculturalcenter for a chance
to win a $50 gift card to It's Really Yogurt or Sweetie Cup Tea. Both are AAPI owned businesses in SLO County. The Cultural Center Instagram will
be featuring local historical sites throughout the duration of the contest.
Local AAPI Historical Sites
The following list is a sampling of local Asian American landmarks for the AAPI Instagram
Contest.
Many of the additional resources provided on this page were organized and made accessible
to the public by Emily Pan through the website Central Coast Asian History.
- Ah Louis Store
Address: 800 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Resources
Film and timeline of Wong On’s (Ah Louis’) life - San Luis Obispo Chinatown District – Artifacts in Pismo Street Parking Garage
Address: 812 Palm Street, San Luis Obipso, CA 93401
Second Floor
Resources
SLO Tore Down Chinatown to Put Up a Parking Garage and Hotel
The long, storied history of San Luis Obispo's historic Chinatown and the artifacts left behind - San Luis Obispo Chinatown District - Mee Heng Low Noodle House
Address: 815 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Experience Asian History and Tradition in SLO CAL - San Luis Obispo Chinatown District - Chong Candy Store (Anderson Commercial Real Estate):
Address: 798 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 - Wharfs in San Luis Obispo County
Ah Louis worked for John Hartford and supplied Chinese laborers for Harford Wharf (Port San Luis), Avila Wharf (Avila Beach pier), and a wharf for George Hearst in San Simeon. He also supplied most of the labor for Captain Cass' wharf in Cayucos.
Resources
Ah Louis in San Luis Obispo - Eto Street Sign in SLO
Resources
Oral History by Kofuji Eto Fukunaga - Eto Park in SLO
Address: 176 Brook Street San Luis Obispo, 176 Brook St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Ethnic Enclaves, Eto Park in San Luis Obispo - Cambria Chinese Temple
Address: 2264 Center St, Cambria, CA 93428
Historic Chinese Temple in Cambria - Guadalupe Buddhist Church
Address: 1070 Olivera St, Guadalupe, CA 93434
History of Guadalupe Buddhist Church - Filipino Landing in Coleman Park
Address: 101 Coleman Dr, Morro Bay, CA 93442
Resources
Routes & Roots: Filipino American History on the Central Coast
Filipino Landing in Coleman Park, Morro Bay
Filipino American National Historical Society: Central Coast Chapter - site dedication - Iron Road Pioneers Statue, San Luis Obispo County.
Address: 1000 Railroad Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93442
Resources
Gandy Dancers Iron Road Pioneers Statue
If you know of other historical sites that you would like added to this list, please email Ali Phelps at allison_phelps1@cuesta.edu