Hilton Hawaiian Village
Honolulu, Hawaii
November 12, 2002
HONOLULU (3 November 2002) - The birthday of historic statesman and renown thinker Sun Yat Sen — credited for creating modern China — will be commemorated at a special evening gathering on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Entitled "Hawaii's Impact in Shaping Dr. Sun Yat Sen's Activities and Modern China," the event will feature remarks by Mr. Al Castle, historian and Executive Director and Treasurer of the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation, and Dr. Michael Lestz, China scholar and Special Advisor to the University of Hawaii President. The featured moderator will be Dr. Rose Tseny, Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Vice President of the University of Hawaii System.
The event will take place on Nov. 12 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's South Pacific Ballroom from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The program will bring together Dr. Sun Yat Sen Hawaii Foundation members, international media, the Hawaii Chinese Community, local leaders, internationally renowned educators, and representatives of the schools and communities that helped Dr. Sun Yat Sen in his pursuit of fostering democracy for China.
Dr. Tseng will open the event with an overview of Dr. Sun's achievements, and Mr. Castle and Dr. Lestz will address the audience in a panel format. A question-and-answer session with all three scholars will follow. Their discussion will include topics such as:
- The role that Hawaii academic institutions played in Dr. Sun's life, including Iolani School, Punahou School, and Mid-Pacific Institute;
- Hawaii leaders and supporters who influenced his worldview; and
- The Western model of democracy that he witnessed in Hawaii.
The evening program will include an intriguing exhibit of Dr. Sun Yat Sen's work, artifacts from his Hawaii days, and materials from the many Hawaii huis that supported him throughout uprisings against, and eventual defeat of, the Manchu dynasty. The program will also feature international media, including CCTV Director Mr. Shi Yan and Program Producer Mr. Lin Xiezhong, and honorary guest Mr. Deng Hongqin, Deputy Director of the International Division of the Soong Ching Ling Foundation. Sun Yat Sen Foundation Chairman Mr. Warren Luke and President Mr. Steven Ai will lead the program.
There is no cost for this international event, which includes light after-dinner refreshments.
The Dr. Sun Yat Sen Hawaii Foundation was formed in 1997 to research, chronicle, and exhibit Dr. Sun's links to Hawaii and the contributions of the people of Hawaii to his work to create a modern China. The long-range mission of the Foundation is the creation of a significant memorial: the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Asian Garden and Learning Center at the Foster Botanical Garden, which will be an important cultural, educational, and historical bridge. The Foundation is a registered non-profit organization.
This event is coordinated by The NorthEast Asia Forum.
For more information contact:
Ms. Janis Koh and Bernice Bowers
The NorthEast Asia Forum
Telephone: (808) 536-1539
Cellular: (808) 342-6743
E-Mail:
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Web: http://www.neaforum.org
