The Asian Excellence Awards was an annual celebration of the outstanding achievements of Asians and Asian Americans in film, television, music, and the performing arts. The Asian Excellence Awards is the only nationally televised event celebrating significant Asian and Asian American achievements in entertainment and the arts. The 2008 Asian Excellence Awards, hosted by Carrie Ann Inaba and Bobby Lee, were held at the UCLA Royce Hall and nationally televised on E! Entertainment on May 1, 2008. The show was also available on Comcast On Demand throughout the month of May in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
The 2008 Asian Excellence Awards were highlighted with live performances by America's Best Dance Crew winners and runners up the Jabbawockeez and Kaba Modern and singer/actress Tia Carrere. There were also special awards presentations to honorees Steve Chen, the founder of YouTube, and Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi.