Lahaina’s Wo Hing Museum features a statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the father of modern China.

LAHAINA – It was here in Hawaii, and more specifically Maui, that Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the father of modern China, was brought up, educated and learned how modern, civilized governments operate.

During his lifetime (1879-1910), he made six trips to Hawaii and spent more than seven years in the islands preparing for the 1911 Chinese revolution that led to the overthrow of China’s Manchu Qing Dynasty.

A celebration honoring Yat-sen and his many accomplishments will be held at the Wo Hing Museum at 858 Front St. in Lahaina on Nov. 12-14.

The grounds and museum are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with activities starting at 11 a.m. Admission to the event and to the museum are free.

With a myriad of red lanterns hanging overhead, the Wo Hing Museum grounds will be transformed with 20 colorful, educational panels depicting Yat-sen’s life, his principles and leadership role in the 1911 Chinese revolution.

These panels, containing rare photos of Yat-sen, were produced by the Sun Yat-sen Museum in Guangzhou, China, and donated to the Wo Hing Museum by the China Program at the University of Hawaii Maui College.

Daily activities include a presentation on the life of Yat-sen and his connection to Maui by Dr. Busaba Yip from 11 a.m. to noon. This presentation will be held in the cookhouse on the grounds of the Wo Hing Museum and will include Dr. Yip’s extensive research, old photos and other artifacts.

Live performances on the Chinese stringed instrument ehru will be performed daily from 1 to 3 p.m.

To close the event each day, the film “Finding Sun Yat-sen” will be shown in the cookhouse mini theater at 3 p.m., with a discussion to follow.

Enjoy freshly made Chinese long life noodles, sesame balls with sweet potato, and steamed pot stickers starting at 11 a.m. on all three days of the event.

Frozen dragon fruit smoothies from the Launiupoko Dragon Fruit Farm will be available daily from 1 to 3 p.m.

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. and again on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., watch as Rev. Gensho Hara skillfully executes Chinese calligraphy.

Also on Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m., everyone is invited to learn decorative Chinese knot tying with retired educator Brenda Wong. All supplies will be provided.

On Thursday, Nov. 14, Master Cory Williams will demonstrate Taoist Martial Arts from 1 to 3 p.m. on the museum grounds.

Photos of old and new China by Ron Muromoto will be on display and for sale on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lahaina Restoration Foundation hosts four annual Chinese festivals at the Wo Hing Museum that are supported by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Wo Hing Society.

For information on the celebration honoring Dr. Sun Yat-sen, call the museum at 661-5553 or visit www.lahainarestoration.org.