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Lahaina to pay tribute to ‘Father of Modern China’

By Staff | Nov 12, 2015

A statue at the Wo Hing Museum honors Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a key figure in the 1911 Chinese revolution that ultimately led to the overthrow of China’s Manchu Qing Dynasty.

LAHAINA – Lahaina Restoration Foundation will pay tribute to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the “Father of Modern China,” in its annual festival on Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.

The celebration will take place at Wo Hing Museum at 858 Front St. in Lahaina between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) was raised and educated in Hawaii. After returning to China as a young man, he made six trips to Maui, spending seven years gaining local support for the 1911 Chinese revolution that ultimately led to the overthrow of China’s Manchu Qing Dynasty.

His older brother, Sun Mei, was a prosperous rancher who lived in Keokea on Maui and was considered a silent hero behind the revolution.

Dr. Yat-sen served as the first provisional president of the Republic of China in 1911 and 1912.

The Wo Hing Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days of the celebration.

During Lahaina’s two-day festival, attendees can learn about the life of Dr. Yat-sen and his connection to Maui in an educational exhibit and during presentations by Dr. Busaba Yip, cultural director for the Wo Hing Museum. There will also be a film tribute to Sun Yat-sen each day at 3 p.m. in the Cookhouse.

Cultural activities include Chinese calligraphy on Buddha boards for kids from 4 to 6 p.m. each day, a Chinese calligraphy demonstration with Rev. Hara on Friday from 3 to 5 p.m., and Chinese knot tying with Brenda Wong on Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Between 5 and 7 p.m. both days, Chinese tea will be served in the garden to the accompaniment of bamboo flute music and an erhu string instrument performance by Hong Zhou.

From 6 to 7 p.m., festival-goers can watch traditional Cantonese cooking demonstrations by Chef Bobby Santos along with demonstrations of the disciplines of Tai Chi by Cory Williams and Qi Gong by Kapena Sayles.

Manapua will be available for sale on Saturday between 5 and 7 p.m.

The Sun Yat-sen Festival is supported by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, County of Maui Office of Economic Development and Wo Hing Society. For more information, call the museum at 661-5553, see LahainaRestoration.org/events or visit Facebook.com/LahainaRestoration.