Honolulu events mark 160th birthday, Hawaii ties of Chinese revolutionary Dr. Sun Yat-sen
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii’s Chinese community is preparing to mark a historical milestone this fall: the 160th birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a global revolutionary leader who spent his formative years in Honolulu and is considered the “father of modern China.”
Read more Hurricane Lowell turns north, Kauai County under tropical storm warning
Cynthia Ning of the Chinese Language Education Association of Hawaii and Eddie Flores of the Hawaii Chinese Chamber of Commerce joined HNN Sunrise to discuss Sun’s deep ties to the islands and a series of upcoming tributes scheduled for Nov. 1.
Deep roots in Hawaii
Born in a small village in Guangdong Province, China, Sun arrived in Hawaii in 1878 at 13 years old to assist his brother, a successful local businessman.
“When he came, he couldn’t speak a word of English. He just had to sit and listen to other people for a while,” Ning said. “But then when he graduated from Iolani, King Kalakaua personally gave him a prize for his progress in English.”
During his time on the islands, Sun received a prestigious local education, attending both Iolani School and Punahou School (then known as Oahu College). Supporters say his exposure to American history and values in Hawaii directly shaped his future.
“He was really impressed by Washington and Lincoln, and he became a Christian,” Ning added. “So he went home and came back 10 years later, and he founded the Revive China Society right here in Honolulu.”
Read more North Shore food stall Kahuku Seafood Boil serves up popular garlic butter seafood
Sun returned to the islands at least six times, relying heavily on Hawaii’s Chinese families for financial and political backing. He eventually led the revolution that overthrew 2,000 years of imperial rule in China, serving as the first president of the Republic of China.
Upcoming tributes and student contest
On Nov. 1, several local organizations, including the United Chinese Society, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Hawaii Foundation, will host a series of public events in Honolulu:
Additionally, organizers are hosting an essay contest for high school and college students to reflect on Sun’s legacy, with a top prize of $1,000.
“There is so much history here in Hawaii because lots of Hawaiian people supported Sun,” Ning said. “And a lot of those stories are not known. So, we encourage students to be creative, to dig up history that has not been exposed and to write about Sun.”
For more information on the upcoming events, the student essay contest, or how to get involved, visit sunyatsenhawaii.org or email [email protected].
Post Comment