It is with great regret that I wish to inform you of Emeritus Professor 郭颖颐 Daniel W.Y. Kwok’s passing. As some of you may recall, he served as the director of the Center for Chinese Studies (CCS) from 1987 – 1991. 

Many of you were familiar with Daniel Kwok who taught at the University of Hawai‘i for 36 years (1961–1997) where his principal field was the history of Chinese thought. His broad-ranging scholarship, teaching, and sphere of influence helped shape the history and humanities curriculum at UH-Manoa to include Asia-Pacific historical realities through various programs, courses, and university engagements. Throughout his prolific academic career, he advised and graduated a large number of students pursuing PhD and master’s degrees in Chinese history. A staunch believer in both undergraduate and graduate education, he regularly taught large core curriculum courses such as World Civilization, as well as smaller seminars, and supervised numerous graduate dissertations and theses. 

Aware of the crucial role journalists play in informing the public about Asia, he notably created and mentored a fellowships program for mid-career journalists established at the University of Hawaiʻi in 1974. The 160 graduates of the program can be found on many major US newspapers and virtually every US news bureau in East Asia. Last, but not least, many past and current CCS-faculty, including myself, were frequently invited as guest-speakers of this truly remarkable and meaningful program. 

Daniel Kwok retired in 1997 and resided in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. He enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren Anne and Alisa, friends, the delights of life, and correspondence with many journalists and former students who will always remember him fondly. 

Today, the Daniel W. Y. Kwok endowment continues to support the great value that he placed on history education and Asia-Pacific. You can read more about his amazing life on his personal website. 

Our condolences and warmest aloha go to his son Ted Kwok and his family. 

Ming-Bao Yue 俞明宝, Ph.D.
Director at Center for Chinese Studies