Lahaina Restoration Foundation invites the public to the Wo Hing Museum & Cookhouse (858 Front Street) on Friday, January 31st for an evening of cultural art activities that pay tribute to the year of the rat for Chinese New Year. The museum will be open between 10 am and 7 pm with free admission.
The Chinese cultural celebration at Wo Hing Museum & Cookhouse features a variety of free activities between 2 and 7 pm. At 2pm, Dr. Busaba Yip and special guest Dennis Ryan, will present the history of the festival and the story of the pig: The first Chinese dragon. Repeat presentation at 6pm.
From 4 to 7 pm in the museum yard, kids can make Year of the rat paper bag puppets. Cultural activities for all ages include: Chinese calligraphy with Rev. Takayuki Meguro, the art of Chinese knot tying with Brenda Wong, learn & play mahjong with Paula Maki and add your wish to the Wishing Tree.
The highlight of festivities will take place at 5pm with a blessing by Au’s Shaolin Arts Society, followed by the lion dance, where guests can “feed” the lion with lai see envelopes for good luck. The procession will move down Front Street and conclude at Campbell Park (adjacent to Baldwin House).
SCHEDULE ON JANUARY 31st:
2 pm: Presentations
History of Chinese New Year by Dr. Busaba Yip
Story of the Rat by Collector Dennis Ryan
4-7 pm: Activities
Keiki Craft
Learn to Play Mahjong
Chinese Knot Tying with Brenda Wong
Chinese Calligraphy with Reverend Takayuki of Lahaina Shingon Mission
5 pm: Blessing and Lion Dance
Au’s Shaolin Arts Society
6 pm:
History of Chinese New Year Presentation by Dr. Busaba Yip
Story of the Rat by Collector Dennis Ryan
Sun Nien Fai Lok – Happy New Year!
Do you want to make a difference?
You can volunteer for the Chinese New Year Festival on January 31, 2020 to help with festival set-up and decorations, greeting attendees, keiki arts and crafts, and/or break-down of the event. Water and snacks provided. Sign up HERE!