Aloha to Maui - More from Lahaina

Lahaina is "cruel sun" in Hawaiian.   Yet it is a tourist mecca for West Maui with the Banyan tree holding center court.   From Hawaii Web (at this link),

This Banyan Tree was planted in April, 1873, and marked the 50th Anniversary of Christian missionary work in Lahaina. The tree was imported from India and was only 8 feet tall. It now stands over 60 feet high, has 12 major trunks in addition to a huge core. It stretches over a 200-foot area and shades 2/3 of an acre. Caring members of the community carefully maintain the symmetrical shape of the Banyan Tree. It is one of the largest Indian Banyan trees in the world.

On the makai (seaside) of the banyan tree is the Courthouse with the Hawaii State Flag.

Next to the courthouse is a fort from the Kingdom of Hawaii.  Again from Hawaii Web (at this link),

These ruins are all that remain of a fort that stood just south of the courthouse. This fort overlooked one of the canals of Lahaina, now a paved street, and was built to protect the town after unruly sailors who fired a canon at Rev. Richard's house. The missionaries saw the womanizing and drinking of the whaling sailors as a danger to Lahaina. Rev. Richard convinced the king to ban women from the ships and this sparked the incident. Later visitors to the island thought the fort looked like it was more for show than force. It was finally torn down in 1850 and supplied the stone for the Hale Pa'ahao Prison.

On the mauka (mountain side) of the Banyan tree are historic houses.  Above is made from lava rock ....

... and next to it is the Baldwin House.  From the Lahaina Restoration (at this link),

The owner, the Reverend Dwight Baldwin had his medical training at Harvard College prior to his theological studies.  As a practicing physician, Rev. Baldwin helped save the people of Maui, Molokai and Lanai from the scourge of smallpox during the terrible epidemic of 1853.

 

 Can you imagine having to sleep inside the netting at night?  

As the sun began to set, we drove to Ka'anapali for the sunset.   Do you have a favorite tree - in your backyard, neighborhood, or one from your travels?  One commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 20, 10 pm in Hawaii.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 21.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Sunset from Ka'anapali

Aloha to Maui - the Wo Hing Museum in Lahaina

Lahaina - "cruel sun" - is a whaling port turned tourist town in West Maui.   Nestled in the north side is the Wo Hing Museum.  The Chinese symbols wo hing refer to "peace, harmony, and prosperity."  

From the Lahaina Restoration Website (at this link),

In 1909 the Chinese living in Lahaina formed the Wo Hing Society, a branch of the Chee Kung Tong, a fraternal society with chapters throughout the world. In 1912, using private donations, the society built a two-story temple on Front Street. The building served as a fraternal and social meeting hall.

Upon entering, one is greeted by a ceremonial lion – the “Dancing Lion of Taipei” – a traditional symbol of good luck.

It housed a sacred altar room on the second floor for religious ceremonies. 

Here are gifts for their religious ceremonies .... 

... including fruit, candy, and coins! 

We found a dragon for a New Year's parade!

The kitchen outside demonstrated how the immigrants cooked ...

 .... that is one big wok!

Do you like Chinese food?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 13, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Also from the Lahaina Restoration website,

Dr. Sun Yat-sen, known as the Father of Modern China, was a Chinese revolutionist and a western medical doctor who began his education in Hawaii. From 1879 to 1910 he made six trips to Hawaii and spent more than seven years in the islands preparing for the 1911 Chinese revolution which led to the overthrow of China’s Manchu Qing Dynasty. Dr. Sun was then elected as the first provisional president of the Republic of China. His brother Sun Mei, a silent hero behind the revolution, operated a large cattle ranch in Kamaole, Maui and he, as well as many Chinese on Maui, provided crucial financial support for the revolution.