Maui Honors Sun Mei With Statue at Kēōkea

Chinese government officials attend the unveiling of a Sun Mei statue at Sun Yat-sen Park in Kēōkea on Maui. Photo courtesy County of Maui.

By Maui Now Staff

A new 8-foot tall bronze statue of Sun Mei was unveiled at Maui’s Sun Yat-sen Park in Kēōkea on Sunday.

County officials explain that Sun Mei was the elder brother of Sun Yat-sen, the first president and founding father of the Republic of China.

According to the county officials, family members said while Sun Yat-sen planned the revolution in China, Sun Mei sold his assets to support his brother financially.

He reportedly lived in Kula and owned the Kahului General Store as well as 100 different properties on Oʻahu and Maui, county officials said.

Sun Mei was honored by descendants and government officials from China and Taiwan during the ceremony for the significant role he played in the revolution, county officials said.

“Working together, these two brothers changed the world, and we are proud that they did this from right here in Kula,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa in a press release.

“We hope that Chinese visitors will come to Maui to see these statues and to learn more about the part our island played in their nation’s history. I want to personally convey my gratitude to the Sun Mei family for this beautiful statue,” he said.

***Supporting information courtesy County of Maui.

Chinese government officials attend the unveiling of a Sun Mei statue at Sun Yat-sen Park in Kēōkea on Maui. Photo courtesy County of Maui.