Honoring Dr. Sun Yat-sen at 160: A Celebration Rooted in Hawai‘i

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Honoring Dr. Sun Yat-sen at 160: A Celebration Rooted in Hawai‘i

On Sunday, November 1, 2026, the community came together in Honolulu to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925), the Father of Modern China, whose formative years in the Islands shaped his vision for education, democracy, and modernization. Organized by the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Hawai‘i Foundation and the Sun 160 Event Planning Committee, the day brought together descendants, officials, scholars, students, and community organizations in tribute to his lasting ties to Hawai‘i.

Following Sun’s Footsteps in Chinatown

Five graduate students from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, led by Prof. Song Jiang, led a total of about 60 people in five groups on a walking tour of Chinatown, stopping at key sites of importance to Dr. Sun’s revolutionary activities in Hawai‘i. The tour ended at the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park at the corner of Bethel and Hotel Streets.

A Morning of Lei and History

A lei-draping ceremony in honor of Dr. Sun was held at the park. Remarks were offered by Robert Yu, event host and president of the United Chinese Society; Steven Ai, president of the Foundation; Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi; and Deputy Consul General Guo Zhiqiang of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles. Members of the Sun family, elected officials, the Foundation, the planning committee, and 15 community organizations presented leis, followed by a group photo with Dr. Sun’s portrait.

Participants then walked to Maunakea Marketplace, the former site of the American Theatre, where Dr. Sun Yat-sen delivered an important speech in 1903 calling for revolution in China. Mr. Eddie Flores brought the site and its history to life. The community also looks forward to the future unveiling of a Sun Yat-sen mural facing Kekaulike Mall, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

A Luncheon Among Friends

About 220 guests gathered for a commemorative luncheon at the Hawaii Dim Sum and Seafood Restaurant. Among those recognized were Mayor Blangiardi, who issued a City proclamation commemorating the date, and received a Sun Yat-sen statue from the Foundation; Deputy Consul General Guo Zhiqiang; Consul Shang Chengcheng; and representatives of the State House and Honolulu City Council.

We were especially honored to welcome Peggy Sun and Branden Sun, family of Dr. Sun, as guests of honor. Also recognized were Foundation leaders and the descendants of Dr. Sun’s friends and supporters in Hawai‘i, whose families helped sustain his cause:

  • Warren Luke, Chairman of the Board;
  • Carolyn Luke, whose grandfather Luke Chan was a childhood friend of Dr. Sun and whose great-granduncle Lu Hao Dong was the first to give his life for the cause;
  • Steven Ai, whose grandfather C. K. Ai was Dr. Sun’s classmate at ‘Iolani School;
  • Yen Chun, grand-niece of Dr. Sun; and
  • Leigh-wai Doo, whose grandfather Young Sen-yat built the first airplane for Dr. Sun’s military.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Shana Brown, associate professor of Chinese history and director of the Honors Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Hawai‘i’s Rising Scholars

The program also celebrated the next generation. The student essay competition, themed “Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Hawai‘i,” drew 24 entries from across the Islands and beyond. Winners shared what they discovered about Dr. Sun and how the research affected them.

High School Division (prizes presented by Warren Luke on behalf of the Foundation)

  • First Prize ($1,000): Daniel Ding, Moanalua High School
  • Second Prize ($500): Chloe “Coco” Heahlke, Punahou School
  • Third Prize ($300): Yuanyuan Zhang, ‘Iolani School

University Division (prizes presented by Dr. Clem Guthro, University Librarian, on behalf of Hamilton Library)

  • First Prize ($1,000): Xinli Zhang, PhD student in History
  • Second Prize ($500): Ye Zheng, PhD student in Chinese Languages, Linguistics and Pedagogy
  • Third Prize ($300): Michael Christensen, BA student in Finance and Chinese

Thank you to our judges, Shana Brown, Clem Guthro, Mary Kodama, and Cyndy Ning, and to every student who took part.

Mahalo

Our heartfelt thanks to the Event Planning Committee: Robert Yu (Chair), Yen Chun, Vernon Ching, Cy Feng, Eddie Flores, Peter Ma, Cyndy Ning, Angie Shiroma, Joanne Tachibana, and Sonny Zhang. Thanks also to Linda Louie, who shared a portrait of Dr. Sun, later donated to Munlun School, and to everyone who attended and contributed.

Dr. Sun’s years in Hawai‘i remind us of the enduring bonds of history, friendship, and cultural exchange between Hawai‘i and China. We look forward to keeping that legacy alive and growing for generations to come.

Explore more of Dr. Sun’s story on our Hawai‘i Roots and Heritage Trail pages.