Asian Pacific American Coalition, San Diego

05/24/2026

Thank you for attending the APAC 14th Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration.

APAC’s Annual Gala & Awards Dinner is a signature event and a premier gathering of San Diego’s Asian American community. It brings together community leaders, business executives, nonprofits, and elected officials to honor those who drive change and champion civic engagement.

As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, this event honors the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in shaping our nation’s history, culture, and achievements.

05/15/2026

APAC welcome our special guests and elected officials who will be attending the APAC 14th Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony - Partial list.

Former City Attorney Mara Elliott
San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee
D3 Councilmember Stephen Whitburn
D4 Councilmember Henry Foster III
D5 Councilmember Marni von Wilpert
SDPD Deputy Chief Shawn Takeuchi
D2 County Board of Supervisor Joel Anderson
D4 County Board of Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe
D5 County Board of Supervisor Jim Desmond
National City Mayor Ron Morrison
D2 National City Councilmember Jose Rodriguez
D3 National City Councilmember Ditas Yamane
D4 Councilmember Marcus Bush
D4 San Marcos Council Member Ed Musgrove
D3 Imperial Beach Councilmember Mariko Nakawatase

05/14/2026

Thank you our 2026 APAC 14th Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony Table Hosts, Community Partners, and Friends – Partial List

Alliance for Quality Education
America’s Thai Chamber San Diego
Chinese School of San Diego
D6 SMALL BUSINESS
Donna Lee
Element Law Firm
Filipino American Senior Citizen Association (FASCA)
Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation
HELEN QUINTANILLA FAMILY & FRIENDS
House of China
House of Taiwan
Japanese American Citizens League
Jasmine Seafood Restaurant
Kanaka Davis Trust Group/Dr. Gil Ontai
Lions Clubs International
Mira Mesa Community Champions
Mira Mesa 2026 4th of July Parade Committee
Mira Mesa Senior Center
Mitz Lee
NaFFAA San Diego/Inland Empire/Imperial County
San Diego Pan Pacific Law Enforcement Association (PANPAC)
SECUYA CPA & ASSOCIATES
Silayan Filipina National Organization
SURESH MENON FAMILY & FRIENDS
Sycuan Casino
Tom Hom Scholarship/ Recipients & Family
Vietnamese American Youth Alliance
Vietnamese Community of San Diego
Vulcan Materials Company

05/09/2026

We want to thank our silver sponsors:
Sycuan Casino Resort
Vulcan Materials, Inc https://www.vulcanmaterials.com

And our bronze sponsors:
Sally WongAvery and Natasha Wong
Element Law Firm www.elementlawfirm.com
Suresh Menon www.sureshmenon.com
Jasmine Seafood Restaurant

05/08/2026

Congratulations to our Tom Hom Civic Engagement Scholarship.

Tenzin Nima, first-generation college student at UC San Diego.
Ellie Chen, first-year undergraduate student at University of California, San Diego.
Tiona Truong, first year at UC San Diego.

05/07/2026

APAC Gala & Award Dinner 2026 Honorees.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Presented to Dr. Mitsuo Tomita.

Dr. Tomita chaired Mayor Dick Murphy’s Asian/Pacific Islander Citizens Advisory Board. July 22, 2008 was proclaimed Dr. Mitsuo Tomita Day throughout the County of San Diego and in 2008 he received the “Golden Apple” Award from United Way-CHAD for his community service. In 1998 he was selected as “Physician Partner of the Year” by his Kaiser Permanente physician colleagues.

05/06/2026

10 more days away from the 16th Annual APAC Gala! - https://mailchi.mp/apacsd/10-daysaway-from-the-16th-annual-apac-gala

APAC is a non-profit, non-partisan local organization whose mission is to cultivate civic engagement to forward the voices of San Diego's Asian Pacific American community.

05/06/2026

APAC Gala & Award Dinner 2026 Honorees.
Rising Star Award – Presented to Ishaa Giridhar

Ishaa has gained meaningful government and public service experience through internships with the Office of Congressman Scott Peters, the Office of Mayor Todd Gloria, and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. In these roles, she has engaged directly with constituents, contributed to policy research, supported community outreach—particularly for underserved and Spanish-speaking populations—and developed resource guides connecting individuals to critical services such as housing, food, and legal assistance.

05/05/2026

APAC Gala & Award Dinner 2026 Honorees.
Outstanding Organization Award – Presented to Kanaka Davis Trust Group.

This award recognizes an organization that actively supports the mission of the Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) and advances civic engagement within Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

The Kanaka Davis Trust Group exemplifies a deep and sustained commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich multicultural heritage of San Diego, making them highly deserving of the APAC Outstanding Organization Award.