Hello Friends and Family,

Link to this year's index by clicking here.


Maui Upcountry, Part 3

Continuing our photo safari, C&M took me to a place I had never been before which also boasts an external connection to Maui and Hawai‘i, a connection of which I was completely unaware. For your pleasure, presenting the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park in Kula, upcountry Maui. You might recognize the name but are only faintly aware of his place in the history of China. Even if you recall his name and place in history, you probably do not know about his connection to Hawai‘i.



"Dr. Sun was a Chinese revolutionary, physician, first president and founding father of the Republic of China. As the foremost pioneer of the Republic of China, Sun is referred to as the 'Father of the Nation' in the Republic of China (ROC), Hong Kong, and Macau, and the 'forerunner of democratic revolution' in the People's Republic of China (PRC)." Wikipedia.


"He was born in China but, at age 10, came to Honolulu at the invitation of his older brother. Sun Yat-Sen then studied at ‘Iolani School where he learned English, British history, mathematics, science, and Christianity. Originally unable to speak the English language, Sun Yat-Sen picked up the language so quickly that he received a prize for outstanding achievement from King David Kalākaua. Sun graduated from ‘Iolani in 1882. He then attended Oahu College (now known as Punahou School) for one semester. In 1883 he was soon sent home to China as his brother was becoming afraid that Sun Yat-Sen would embrace Christianity." Wikipedia


"Sun played an instrumental role in the overthrow of the Qing dynasty during the years leading up to the Xinhai Revolution. He was appointed to serve as Provisional President of the Republic of China when it was founded in 1912. He later co-founded the Kuomintang (KMT), serving as its first leader. Sun was a uniting figure in post-Imperial China, and he remains unique among 20th-century Chinese politicians for being widely revered amongst the people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait." Wikipedia


"Although Sun is considered to be one of the greatest leaders of modern China, his political life was one of constant struggle and frequent exile. After the success of the revolution, he quickly resigned, due to Beiyang Clique pressure, from his post as President of the newly founded Republic of China, and led successive revolutionary governments as a challenge to the warlords who controlled much of the nation. Sun did not live to see his party consolidate its power over the country during the Northern Expedition. His party, which formed a fragile alliance with the Communists, split into two factions after his death." Wikipedia


It was during one of his times of exile that he came to live on Maui. His brother had created a prosperous ranch here at Kula and Dr. Sun came to live there. Although the ranch buildings no longer exist, the memory and reverence for Dr. Sun resulted in the creation of this park in his memory.


Last stop today was C&M's home to share dinner and "talk story". Like many homes on Maui, they have lots of lush tropical landscaping — here is a beautiful ti (pronounced "tee") planting.


Out back is a lanai (where we would share dinner) overlooking a very steep hill with lots more tropical vegetation.


Papaya trees are a common sight on Maui and provide a wonderful opportunity to just walk out each morning and pick a papaya for breakfast. Too bad that C&M don't like papayas.


More lovely flowers — unfortunately, I don't know the variety. I'm sure one of my Maui friends will educate me.


Here is the view we had at dinner, looking down from the slopes of Haleakala into the valley that separates the two mountainous halves of Maui (thus the nick-name, "the Valley Isle"). The far mountain is commonly referred to as the "the West Maui Mountains" but known to Hawaiians as "Maui Komohana" and to geologists as "Mauna Kahalawai". If you peer into the haze beyond and to the left of Mauna Kahalawai, you can see Moloka‘i in the distance.

Today was a wonderful visit to catch up with an old friend (C) and meet a new one (M) — plus a chance to grab some good photos.


To be continued...

Life is good.

Aloha,
B. David

P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com