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Maui History & Cultural Activities
Museums & Historical Landmarks
West Maui
Wo Hing Temple |
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History &
Information
Chinese history in Lahaina predates the whalers and
missionaries. With the passage of years, the Chinese
community grew. True to their heritage, they maintained
social and political ties with their ancestral homes. They
built meeting halls or temples where their societies could
meet. 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. It housed a sacred altar room on the second
floor for religious ceremonies.
By the 1940’s, most Chinese had moved to the island of Oahu
where they found better business opportunities. As the
Chinese population on Maui declined the temple fell into
disrepair. Paint faded on the once festively decorated
porches; the grounds became overgrown with weeds, and
eventually the building was boarded up. For years, it was a
forlorn sight, weathered by time and eaten by termites until
it was near the point of collapse. A small core of Wo Hing
Society members still resided in Lahaina, but too few in
number to maintain the temple.
In 1983, the Lahaina Restoration foundation took steps to
restore this valuable historic site. Under a long-term
agreement with the Wo Hing Society, the Foundation provided
the money and people to bring the temple back to life and
operate it as a museum.
Upon entering, one is greeted by a ceremonial lion – the
“Dancing Lion of Taipei” – a traditional symbol of good
luck. The altar in the shrine room looks almost like it did
in the temple’s earlier years. Fascinating artifacts are
displayed and explained throughout the museum.
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