Sun Yat-sen Festival at Wo Hing Museum, Nov 11-12

Sun Yat Sen tribute display at Wo Hing Museum & Cookhouse. File photo 2015 credit: Melanie Agrabante

In celebration of the 150th birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, recognized as the Father of Modern China, Lahaina Restoration Foundation and Wo Hing Society will present the Sun Yat-sen Festival on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12, 2016.

Celebration activities will be held at Wo Hing Museum, located at 858 Front Street in Lahaina between 2 and 8:30 p.m. with the museum scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Admission is free.

During this two-day festival, attendees can learn about the extraordinary life of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and his connection to Maui.  There’s a new educational exhibit, a film tribute, and presentations by Dr. Busaba Yip, Wo Hing Museum Cultural Director, in the Cookhouse.

Sun Yat Sen festival at Wo Hing Museum & Cookhouse. File photo 2015 credit: Melanie Agrabante

Cultural activities include printmaking for kids, featuring Dr. Sun’s symbolism and messages of universal love, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. each day.

In the same timeframe, Chinese calligraphy will be demonstrated by Reverend Hara of Lahaina Jodo Mission on Friday, and by Reverend Takayuki of Lahaina Shingon Mission on Saturday. Brenda Wong will showcase her expertise in Chinese knot tying, and Cory Williams will demonstrate Chinese martial arts and Tai Chi movements on Saturday between 5 and 8:30 p.m.

Traditional Chinese music will be performed on both days of the festival with Toi Suchitra Srijantara on the gu zheng harp from 2 p.m., and Hong Zhou on the bamboo flute and erhu string instrument from 6 p.m.

Sun Yat Sen festival at Wo Hing Museum & Cookhouse. File photo 2015 credit: Melanie Agrabante

Between 5 and 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Chinese tea will be served in the garden. Festival-goers can watch Cantonese fried rice cooking demonstrations by Chef Bobby Santos, and taste samples. On Saturday, closing festivities will begin at 8 p.m. with a birthday cake and song celebrating Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

Sun Yat-sen was born on Nov. 12, 1866 and died on March 12, 1925. He was raised and educated in Hawai‘i. After returning to China as a young man, he made several trips to the islands, gaining local support for the Chinese revolution that ultimately led to the overthrow of China’s Manchu Qing Dynasty in 1911.

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. Sun served as the first provisional president of the Republic of China. He is renowned for developing the “Three Principles of the People” — nationalism, the people’s rights and livelihood.

Sun Yat-sen Festival is supported by Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, the County of Maui Office of Economic Development and Wo Hing Society.

Wo Hing Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on both days with free admission.