Skip to Main Content
Fairfax County logo

Cultural Heritage of Fairfax County Residents

Learn about and celebrate the heritage of our neighbors. Last Updated: Mar 22, 2024 4:35 PM

Take and Make Kits to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Explore the following craft ideas to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Hawaiian Lei

Red and blue Hawaiian leis made of foam sheets and strawsA lei is a colorful wreath worn in Hawaii. Leis can be made of fresh flowers, nuts, seeds, and other plant material. Originally, the lei was meant as an offering to the gods, and now symbolizes friendship, greeting, and love.

Paper Carp Windsock

Colorful paper carp windsock hanging on a treeCarp streamers, or Koinobori, are traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Kdomo no hi, a holiday known as Children's Day, celebrated on May 5th.

Origami Crane

Colorful assortment of paper cranesCranes are said to live for 1,000 years, which is why folding 1,000 of them brings good luck, happiness, or a single wish. Senbazuru, the tradition of folding a thousand cranes, became popularized by the story of Sadako Sasaki, who folded 1,000 cranes when they found out they had leukemia due to radiation exposure, a result of the US dropping an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. Sasaki is also a symbol for the devastating effects of nuclear war.

Fairfax County seal