In 2014, Victor and Elena Tan established the non-profit organization named Hawaii Asia Pacific Institue of Culture and Arts (HAPICA), with the purposes of promoting cultural understanding, increasing community awareness of, and
celebrate the performing arts and culture of the Asia Pacific Region
through sponsorship of public events and festivals, active perpetuation of
the forms of art, cultural exchange of artistic talents and other activities;
Arouse and give direction to local, national, and international interest in
the performing arts of the Asia Pacific Region, encourage the talent and
ability of professionals and enthusiasts, and foster the development and
growth of skills and expertise within the region; Preserve and protect the artistic, cultural resources in Hawaii andwithin the Asia Pacific Region, which, together, represent our global
diverse ethnic heritage and society; and promote and facilitate the social welfare of our population in-need,including youth and the homeless, and create healthy communities.
HAPICA regularly goes to nursing homes, children's hospitals, schools, and other institutions for charity performances and donations. HAPICA has also donated money to orphanages in China.
In the summer of 2019, Victoria, Vincent, and Virgil Tan went to an elementary school in a mountainous area in the Yunnan province of China to teach English, simple Hawaiian phrases, and introduce American culture; during their time in Yunan, HAPICA, along with other volunteers, also donated stationeries to schools in other impoverished areas.
At the beginning of 2020, when the pandemic was at its worst in China, Victor represented the Hawaii Mainland Chinese Overseas Association and organized Hawaii's donation activities for Wuhan, China;
From March to May 2020, HAPICA along with other volunteers, led and participated in the donation of over 60,000 face masks and protective equipment to local hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, fire stations, police stations, bus companies, supermarkets, prisons, the homeless population, and more; the family also donated masks to doctors and nurses in New York and California;
On Christmas day of 2020, together with Peter Hsi and his wife Rosanna “May” Hsi, HAPICA donated 100 meals to homeless children in the local Youth Outreach (YO!);
In May 2021, the Tan family donated bags of rice to 100 families affected by the famine (caused by the COVID-19 virus) in the Philippines.
HAPICA and its members’ achievements have been reported in the media numerous times including by the legislature, and governor. And recently, in recognition of the public welfare activities that they have been engaged in for many years, HAPICA and the Tan family were honored to be commended by the governor and the state assembly in May of 2019.
In June 2021, HAPICA along with volunteers, produced the short film: “Chopstick”, explaining the cultural importance of chopsticks in Chinese culture, in response to the hate and aggression towards Asian communities, particularly the Chinese. In December of 2021, the film would be recognized by the seventh Shanghai Charity Short Film Festival and receive the “Oustanding Public Welfare Work Award.”