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U.S. Air Force Col. Burt Okamoto, 5th Air Force director of cyberspace operations, gives opening remarks at the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month mid-month event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2024. The event consisted of a buffet-style lunch of diverse Asian cuisine from around the world, cultural dance performances and a fashion show of traditional dress from the different AANHPI nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexzandra Gracey)

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Yokota community members partake in a buffet-style lunch of diverse Asian cuisine from around the world during the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month mid-month event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2024. The month of May, nationally titled AANHPIHM, is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions made in culture, innovation, and history by Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander peoples in the U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexzandra Gracey)

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Asami Iwata, Yokota Samurai Taiko Team drummer, performs during the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month mid-month event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2024. The Yokota Samurai Taiko Team is comprised of both Japanese and American players and have been performing around Japan for many years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexzandra Gracey)

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A dancer from the Japanese branch of the Halau Keolakapuokalani School performs a traditional hula dance during the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month mid-month event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2024. Halau Keolakapuokalani shares the culture of Hawaii by performing traditional dances at events and holding weekly classes open to the Yokota community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexzandra Gracey)

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The Yokota Tanabata Dancers perform during the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month mid-month event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2024. The dancers share Japanese culture by performing traditional dances at events and holding weekly classes open to the Yokota community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexzandra Gracey)

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Hula with Aloha dancers perform a traditional Tahitian dance during the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month mid-month event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2024. The month of May, nationally titled AANHPIHM, is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions made in culture, innovation, and history by Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander peoples in the U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexzandra Gracey)

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Dancers conclude a tinikling dance performance during the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month mid-month event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2024. Tinikling is a traditional Filipino dance that involves tapping, beating, and sliding bamboo poles together while dancers maneuver between them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexzandra Gracey)

AANHPI shares cultural performances with the community

Published May 19, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Alexzandra Gracey
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --

Community members convened at the Yokota Officer’s Club to partake in a luncheon and enjoy cultural dance performances in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14.

The event began with a buffet-style lunch of diverse Asian cuisine from around the world and opening remarks from U.S. Air Force Col. Burt Okamoto, 5th Air Force director of cyberspace operations. Afterwards, community members witnessed numerous cultural dance performances and a fashion show of traditional dress from the different AANHPI nations.

The month of May, nationally titled AANHPIHM, is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions made in culture, innovation, and history by Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander peoples in the U.S.

The remaining events for the month will consist of a professional development senior leader panel on May 22 and closing 5K Bataan Memorial Run on May 31.