Honoring Dr. Sun Yat-sen: A Centennial Commemoration in Hawai’i

On March 12, 2025, the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa hosted a remarkable event commemorating the centennial anniversary of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s passing: Hawai‘i and Sun Yat-sen: A Legacy of Revolution, Promise for the Future, and Roadmap for Global Connection.

The event brought together scholars, community leaders, and distinguished guests from around the world to reflect on Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s enduring legacy and his ties to Hawai’i.

The event opened with a video address from President Wendy Hensel and warm welcome remarks and acknowledgements by Ming-Bao Yue, Director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Michael Bruno, Provost of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, also delivered remarks emphasizing the significance of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s connection to Hawai’i and its impact on Chinese history.

The successful event was made possible by the generous support of several sponsors. Signature Sponsors included the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Hawai’i Foundation, the U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association(USCPFA), Punahou School, and the Center for Korean Studies at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Supporter Sponsors included the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai’i and the departments of History, Asian Studies, Sociology, and Education Foundations at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. The event was honored by the presence of several distinguished guests, including Yen Chun, Dr. Sun Yat-sen Hawaii Foundation Vice President; Dr. Sun Yat-sen Hawai’i Foundation board members Leigh-Wai Doo, Cyndy Ning, and Joanne Tachibana; Vernon Ching, President of the Honolulu Chapter and Hawai’i Sub-region of the USCPFA; Frances Goo, Western Region President of the USCPFA; Sonny Zhang, Executive Vice President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai’i; Michael Bruno, Provost of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa; and Clem Guthro, University Librarian of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Their participation underscored the importance of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s legacy in promoting cultural understanding and connection.

The event host was  Dr. Cathryn Clayton, Chair and Associate Professor of Asian Studies, and moderated by Dr. Le Lin, Associate Professor of Sociology and Dr. Shana Brown, Director of the Honors Program and Associate Professor of History at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.

The keynote address titled “Dr. Sun Yat-sen: A Thinker of Chinese Revolution” was delivered by Dr. Xiaowei Zheng, Associate Professor of History at UC Santa Barbara. Dr. Zheng’s presentation explored Sun Yat-sen’s intellectual journey, emphasizing the influence of his Hawaiian experience and exposure to Christianity, Western political theories, and Chinese traditions in shaping his revolutionary ideals.

Special video tributes were presented by Iolani School and Punahou School, offering heartfelt reflections on Sun Yat-sen’s legacy and his educational journey in Hawai’i. These tributes highlighted the values of leadership, service, and global vision that Sun Yat-sen cultivated during his time in the islands.

The hybrid symposium featured a distinguished panel of experts who provided fresh insights into Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary vision and his connection to Hawai’i:

• Jinchao Zhang, Deputy Director of the Institute of History at Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences, shared his recent research on local Hawaiian media coverage of Dr. Sun’s early activities, shedding light on how he was perceived in the Hawaiian press.
• Min Luo, Professor of History at Peking University, reflected on the significance of newly discovered archival materials that illuminate Sun Yat-sen’s formative experiences in Hawai’i and their impact on his later revolutionary efforts.
• John Rosa, Associate Professor of History at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, provided a historical overview of late 19th and early 20th-century Hawai’i, offering valuable context for Sun Yat-sen’s time in the islands and his connection to the local Chinese community.
• Lorenz Gonschor, Senior Lecturer at the University of the South Pacific, discussed Sun Yat-sen’s interactions with the Hawaiian Kingdom during King Kalākaua’s reign and examined how these early experiences influenced Sun’s vision of a modern, independent China.

The event concluded with a guided historic trail tour, providing participants with a deeper understanding of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s formative experiences in Hawai’i and their impact on his efforts to shape modern China. The historic trail was led by Dr. Baoyan Cheng, Professor of Educational Foundations at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and with a tour handout provided by Cyndy Ning, board member of Dr. Sun Yat-sen Hawai’i Foundation to enrich the learning experience of the participants. The tour included:

Hamilton Library Exhibit  at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa curated by librarian Dongyun Ni.

A visit to Punahou School, where participants were welcomed by Michael E. Latham, President of Punahou School, Kylee Mar, Director of Archives & Special Collections, and Tyler Fujita, Director of the Wo International Center. Their presentations emphasized Sun Yat-sen’s ties to the school and its role in shaping his values and revolutionary ideas.

Visits to St. Andrew’s Cathedral and key locations in Chinatown associated with Sun Yat-sen’s life in Hawai’i.

A concluding ceremony at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park, which featured remarks from Tyler Dos Santos, Hawai’i State Representative, further highlighting the cultural and historical significance of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s life and legacy in Hawai’i.

The Center for Chinese Studies extends its heartfelt gratitude to all sponsors, partners, and participants for making this memorable event possible. Through continued collaboration and cultural exchange, Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

You can watch the recording of the symposium below: