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Pacific Islander Heritage

Explore America's national parks from the comfort of home. Register now (Zoom) Every park has a story. During this virtual series, we'll connect with people from across the country to talk about special places and complex stories at National Park Service sites. Join us to learn more about a place that might be close to home or in a destination you dream of visiting. Each hour-long program includes…

10 parks and sites (NPS)

About Pacific Islander Heritage

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    Parked at Home · Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

    Explore America's national parks from the comfort of home. Register now (Zoom) Every park has a story. During this virtual series, we'll connect with people from across the country to talk about special places and complex stories at National Park Service sites. Join us to learn more about a place that might be close to home or in a destination you dream of visiting. Each hour-long program includes a presentation and time for questions and answers. All visitors can attend these free Parked at Home programs, hosted o…

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Featured parks for pacific islander heritage

Programs & experiences

Parked at Home

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

Explore America's national parks from the comfort of home. Register now (Zoom) Every park has a story. During this virtual series, we'll connect with people from across the country to talk about special places and complex stories at National Park Service sites. Join us to learn more about a place that might be close to…

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Upcoming events

Upcoming programs and events at parks in this collection (from the NPS Events API).

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Special Events
May 31
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Visitor Center Open: Summer Schedule

 

Visitor Center The park’s Visitor Center is your starting point for exploring the stories, people, and history of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Hours: May 1 through November 30 Wednesday - Sunday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM December 1 through April 30 Wednesday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM The Visitor Center is closed to public visitation on: New Year’s Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day *The park may occasionally offer special programs, events, or activities outside regular Visitor Center operating hours. Check the park calendar and Visitor Center drop-down option under the Basic Information page when planning your visit. Visitor Center Garden Open daily from dawn to dusk. Temporary Closures and Operational Changes Severe weather, construction activities, public health concerns, emergencies, or security situations may require temporary changes to park operations, facility hours, or access to portions of the park to protect visitors, staff, and park resources. Temporary operational changes are shared through park alerts on the website, social media, phone greetings, and notices posted at key park locations. Please note that operating hours for National Park Service facilities may differ from partner organizations, businesses, and other locations within park boundaries.

09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts, the Visitor Center is situated within the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. The building is accessible from William Street, with stairs at the front entrance and an accessible ramp located on the right side of the building through the Visitor Center garden. Cobblestone streets and sidewalks surround the area.
Cultural Events
Jun 1
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Ulana 'Ie'ie with Uncle Pomai

 

Join Uncle Pomai Brown in his sharing of the ancient skill of Ulana 'ie'ie (weaving the roots of climbing screwpine); used to make hina'i (fishtraps), mahiole (helmets), Ki'i akua (god images), and more.

09:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Uncle Pomai will be in the Hale wa'a (canoe house) next to station 16.
Ranger Programs
Jun 1
National Park of American Samoa

Interpretive Talk

 

Attend our daily interpretive talk by a Park Ranger. Call the Visitor Center to see what program is being presented at this time. Topics will range from Volcanoes, Fruit Bats, History of the Park, Samoan Fale, The Coconut, to Samoa Legends. Can't wait to see you there! Most programs will take place at the Visitor Center. However, some may be presented elsewhere; double check with the Visitor Center when you call.

01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
National Park of American Samoa
Cultural Events
Jun 2
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Hana Lei with Aunty Melanie Moses

 

Come join aunty Melanie Moses as she shares her love of the traditional art of Hawaiian lei making.

09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
This lei making demonstration will be located in the halau by stop 16.
Cultural Events
Jun 2
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site

Cultural Demonstration - Konane

 

The game of skills and strategy can be learened in minutes, but may take a lifetime to master. More than 100 years ago, the fame and skill of the Hawaiian Konane players reach the ears of the world. The king of england sent his champion draughts players around the world challenging all comers to the game of checkers. King Kamehameha sent his "Queens" team to meet the challenge, and beat the best of the British Empire at their own game. It was said that King Kamehameha was an excelent player, sometimes beating his own opponent in one move. Early visitors to Hawai'i wrote of the popularity of the game and noted that Kamehameha would sit long hours over the game. His skill was so great that his chiefs and queens were no match for him. Come join Hawai'i Parks Association member Ed, and learn the history behind this intense and focused Makahiki game of Konane. Every Tuesdays from 10:00am-1:00pm at the park visitor center.

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Visitor center open lanai area.
Ranger Programs
Jun 2
National Park of American Samoa

Guided Hike - Tuafanua Trail

 

Meet a Park Ranger at the Tuafanua trail parking lot for a one hour guided hike. This is a moderate hike, please plan accordingly. Call the Visitor Center for more details.

08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
National Park of American Samoa
Cultural Events
Jun 3
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site

Cultural Demonstration - Hulu Ali'i (Chiefly Featherwork)

 

Hawaiian cultural practitioner Pomai Brown brings the art of crafting Hulu Aliʻi (Chiefly Featherwork) to life. These feathered capes and cloaks once worn exclusively by our aliʻi (nobility). Made of ōlona fiber netting and tens of thousands of bird feathers, 'ahu 'ula were used for spiritual and physical protection of the wearer during battle and ceremony. The woven caps, adorned with 'Haka' (crown embellishments), are showcased in museums worldwide, featuring thousands of red, yellow, and black feathers, with unique designs noting the wearer's geneology and rank. Each bundle are tied with care and carrying the mana of the birds that provided them. No two 'ahu 'ula were identical, through many contain similar patters, noting familial relations between the wearers. This demonstration offers a meaningful connection to our kūpuna and the rich history of this sacred place. Please join Pomai Brown every Wednesdays at the visitor center from 10:00am-1:00pm in learning an Hawaiian craft. For more information, contact park staff at 808-882-7218 X1011 or visit the parks social media pages @puukoholaheiaunhs. Hope to see you there!

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Visitor center
Ranger Programs
Jun 3
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Ranger Talk: Blubber and Bones: The Products of Whaling

 

Step into the world of the whaling industry and discover how whale products supported everyday life during the 1800s. Explore how blubber, baleen, and bone became valuable resources used in homes, manufacturing, and industry, connecting New Bedford to a growing global economy.

01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Ranger Talks begin at the Visitor Center. A ranger or volunteer will meet visitors either inside the Visitor Center or Outside in the Visitor Center Garden before the tour begins. The main entrance is located at the top of the front steps on William Street. An accessible ramp entrance is available on the right side of the building through the Visitor Center Garden.
Guided Tours
Jun 3
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Walking Tour: Exploring Extraordinary Whales

 

Did you know whales are some of the most extraordinary animals on Earth? From their immense size and remarkable adaptations to their communication and migration patterns, whales continue to inspire curiosity and scientific discovery. Explore the extraordinary world of whales on a walking tour at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Discover how whales shaped New Bedford’s history, influenced global industries, and connected this port city to people and places around the world.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Walking Tours begin at the Visitor Center. A ranger or volunteer will meet visitors either inside the Visitor Center or Outside in the Visitor Center Garden before the tour begins. The main entrance is located at the top of the front steps on William Street. An accessible ramp entrance is available on the right side of the building through the Visitor Center Garden.
Guided Tours
Jun 3
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Walking Tour: Whaling in New Bedford

 

Step into history and discover the story of New Bedford, the world’s whaling capital. Explore how this bustling seaport connected New Bedford to a global maritime economy, where whalemen traveled around the globe and helped shape a city known for industry, commerce, and innovation.

02:30 PM - 03:45 PM
Walking Tours begin at the Visitor Center. A ranger or volunteer will meet visitors either inside the Visitor Center or Outside in the Visitor Center Garden before the tour begins. The main entrance is located at the top of the front steps on William Street. An accessible ramp entrance is available on the right side of the building through the Visitor Center Garden.
Ranger Programs
Jun 4
National Park of American Samoa

Guided Hike - Lower Sauma Trail

 

Meet a Park Ranger at the Lower Sauma Trailhead for a one hour guided hike. This is an easy half mile hike. Call the Visitor Center for more information.

08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
National Park of American Samoa
Ranger Programs
Jun 4
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Ranger Talk: In the Footsteps of Douglass and Melville

 

Explore New Bedford through the experiences of Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville, who both walked the streets of this historic port city in 1841. After escaping slavery, Frederick Douglass settled in New Bedford, where he found employment, community, and opportunities that influenced his future work as an abolitionist, writer, and public speaker. Herman Melville also found inspiration in New Bedford’s maritime culture and whaling industry. His experiences contributed to the setting and themes later reflected in Moby-Dick , where he described New Bedford as a city shaped by maritime commerce and global connections. Their experiences reflect how New Bedford’s industries, waterfront, and community shaped lives while connecting this port city to the wider world. Follow in their footsteps and learn how New Bedford shaped two influential figures whose writings and experiences continue to connect New Bedford to the world today.

01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Ranger Talks begin at the Visitor Center. A ranger or volunteer will meet visitors either inside the Visitor Center or Outside in the Visitor Center Garden before the tour begins. The main entrance is located at the top of the front steps on William Street. An accessible ramp entrance is available on the right side of the building through the Visitor Center Garden.

All parks (10)

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
National Historic Trail

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail

HI

Established in 2000 to preserve, protect and interpret traditional Native Hawaiian culture and natural resources, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a 175-mile corridor encompassing a network of culturally and historically significant trails. This "trail by the sea" traverses wahi pana (storied landscapes), ancient Hawaiian sites and over 200 ahupuaʻa (traditional land divisions).

American Memorial Park
Park

American Memorial Park

MP

American Memorial Park honors the American and Marianas people who gave their lives during the Marianas Campaign of World War II. At the park, memorials stand in tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the US Servicemen and Chamorro and Carolinian civilians who were killed in the battles between the United States and Japan that took place on Saipan, Tinian, and the Philippine Sea in 1944.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
National Historic Site

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

OR,WA

Located on the north bank of the Columbia River, in sight of snowy mountain peaks and a vibrant urban landscape, this park has a rich cultural past. From a frontier fur trading post, to a powerful military legacy, the magic of flight, and the origin of the American Pacific Northwest, history is shared at four unique sites. Discover stories of transition, settlement, conflict, and community.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park
National Historical Park

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

HI

When Hansen's disease (leprosy) was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands, King Kamehameha V banished all afflicted to the isolated Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north shore of Molokai. Since 1866, more than 8,000 people, mostly Hawaiians, have died at Kalaupapa. Once a prison, Kalaupapa is now a refuge for the few remaining residents who are cured but were forced to live their lives in isolation.

Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site
National Historic Site

Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site

NY

The Tenement Museum tells the stories of working-class tenement residents, who moved to New York City from other countries and other parts of the country. Their work helped build the city and nation, and their stories help us understand our history. The museum shares these stories through guided tours of recreated tenement apartments, neighborhood walking tours, and virtual tours and programs.

National Park of American Samoa

National Park of American Samoa

AS

The National Park of American Samoa invites you to discover the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of the South Pacific. Experience a world unlike any other, where natural beauty and cultural heritage are protected for future generations. Join us in exploring these islands of sacred earth!

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
National Historical Park

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

MA

"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all these brave houses and flowery gardens came from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. One and all, they were harpooned and dragged up hither from the bottom of the sea." H. Melville, "Moby-Dick"

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
National Historical Park

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

HI

Imagine you had just broken the sacred laws, the kapu, and the only punishment was death. Your only chance of survival is to elude your pursuers and reach the Puʻuhonua, a place of refuge. The Puʻuhonua protected the kapu breaker, defeated warriors, as well as civilians during the time of battle. No physical harm could come to those who reached the boundaries of the Puʻuhonua.

Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
National Historic Site

Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site

HI

How many places in America can you walk in the footsteps of a king? Where else has a stranded sailor risen up to become a great chief over an entire island? Where else can you experience the culminating event of a people, foretold from centuries past? Where else can you stand on a beach and watch as sharks pass over a submerged temple? Experience all this and much more – only at Pu'ukoholā Heiau!

War In The Pacific National Historical Park
National Historical Park

War In The Pacific National Historical Park

GU

War in the Pacific National Historical Park was established to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of those participating in the campaigns of the Pacific Theater of World War II and to conserve and interpret outstanding natural, scenic, and historic values and objects of the island of Guam.

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Pacific Islander Heritage | Explore by Activity