Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Cres Pesito - Sr. Sales Manager

What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month mean to you personally?

This is a meaningful time for me to reflect on and celebrate the richness, resilience, and beauty of Asian cultures. It’s a powerful reminder of how important it is to preserve our stories, languages, and traditions — not just for ourselves, but for the generations who will follow. These are the threads that tie us to our past, and the values deeply rooted in our cultures serve as a compass that guides us into the future.

As a Filipino, I carry with me the values of resilience, optimism, adaptability, and an unwavering spirit of hospitality. We face challenges with grace, meet uncertainty with hope, and open our hearts and homes to others as if they were family. These are not just cultural traits — they are a way of life, and I find strength in them every single day. This month gives me the opportunity to honor those values and share them with pride.

To me, sharing our heritage isn’t just about food or festivals — it’s about connection. It’s about opening hearts, sparking understanding, and building bridges through empathy. To me, that’s the true spirit of AAPI Heritage Month: celebrating who we are, where we come from, and the powerful ways our cultures continue to shape the world around us.

How are you celebrating?

To celebrate, my relatives and I are gathering friends from all different backgrounds and heading to a Fil-Am Spring Festival — a vibrant celebration that brings the heart of our culture to life. It’s everything we love about being Filipino: incredible food, live music, traditional performances, and beautifully handcrafted indigenous goods.

For us, it’s more than just a festival — it’s a way to share a piece of home. Through the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Philippines, we’re giving our friends a window into the colorful, joyful life we grew up with.

It’s also our way of supporting Filipino-owned businesses and artists who pour their hearts into preserving our culture, even from across the world. Celebrating together like this helps build meaningful connections. It’s a reminder that while we may come from different places, culture has a beautiful way of bringing us all closer.

Do you have any favorite traditions/customs to share?

“Fiesta Culture” One of my favorite Filipino traditions is our deep-rooted love for fiesta culture — the way we come together to celebrate life with food, laughter, and community. It’s not just reserved for big holidays or special occasions. In Filipino homes, even the smallest wins are reasons to gather — a birthday, a graduation, a new job, or simply making it through a tough week. There’s always a reason to cook, connect, and celebrate with the people we care about.

There’s a saying I grew up hearing: “Kahit konti, pagsaluhan” — which means, “Even if it’s little, let’s share it.” That simple phrase has always stuck with me. It’s a reminder that joy doesn’t come from how much we have, but from who we share it with. That spirit of togetherness — of making people feel seen, welcome, and valued — is something I carry with me wherever I go. It’s at the heart of what it means to be Filipino, and it’s one of the

Maria Burns - Director of Hotel Services

What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month mean to you personally?

Living in Hawaii, we are so culturally diverse with many ethnicities. My Filipino ethnicity makes up 15% of the population in Hawaii.  The importation of Filipinos workers called “Sakadas,” which roughly translates to “Filipino migrant workers” and also referred to the actual importation of these workers, began in 1906 and continued until 1946. During that time an estimated 125,000 Filipinos were recruited from the Ilocos and Visayas regions of the Philippines to work in Hawaii. I am very proud of my heritage and excited to share that most of my family played a huge role in being part of the “Sakadas”.

How are you celebrating?

Our favorite tradition and custom is to share the “Halo Halo” dessert with everyone.