Traditional Chinese lanterns hang outside the Wo Hing Museum.

LAHAINA – Celebrate Chinese culture at the Chinese Heritage Festival at the Wo Hing Museum and Cookhouse at 858 Front St. on Saturday, Nov. 16.

The event is set for 4 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

The festival will feature a “Taste of China” with five unique Chinese food booths.

Each booth offers “tasting size” plates of Chinese dishes for $3 each.

The variety of tasty choices will include Chicken Chow Mein, Beef Broccoli, Shrimp Canton, Cold Ginger Chicken, Pork Wontons, Egg Rolls, Vegetable Fried Rice and White Rice.

Festivities also include Chinese calligraphy and knot tying for keiki and adults, traditional Chinese music, Mahjong and presentations about the Chinese in Lahaina and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen.

The major arrival of Chinese to Lahaina was in the mid-1800s as contract workers for the plantations.

After the completion of their contracts, some Chinese migrants established businesses here.

Chinese-owned buildings formed a Chinatown area on Front Street, with the Wo Hing Society building – now called the Wo Hing Museum and Cookhouse- at its heart.

The Great Lahaina Fire of 1919 consumed many of the Chinese buildings; some were never rebuilt.

While there is no longer a Chinatown in Lahaina, the Wo Hing Museum serves as a reminder of Lahaina’s strong Chinese community.

Wo Hing Museum will offer free admission starting Monday, Nov. 11, through Saturday, Nov. 16.

Contact Lahaina Restoration Foundation at (808) 661-3262, e-mail info@lahainarestoration.org or visit www.lahainarestoration.org for information on Lahaina’s historic sites and upcoming events.