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Lum Sai Ho Tong 
Lum, Lim, Lam, Lin Family Association The original members of the Hawaii chapter of the Lum family from the Heung-shan district, now known as Zhongshan, in Guangdong Province, China, first came to Hawaii in the 1850s as contract laborers to work in the sugar cane fields. After the contracts expired, many of the immigrants became farmers, merchants, laborers, and businessmen. Descendants of those settlers achieved economic and social status in the community higher than their ancestors could have hoped for. In 1889, the first clubhouse was established in Honolulu as a place for the members to meet, receive and send letters home, a place to stay when coming to town from the country, and a place where assistance could be obained in times of illness or financial need.
| Lum Family  The Chinese character for the surname Lum means "forest". Membership in Lum Sai Ho Tong is patrilineal, you are born with a Lum surname or are a female marrying into the Lum family. The Lum family recognize Bi Gan as their original ancestor. According to the Record of the Historian (Shiji), Bi Gan was was the uncle and advisor of Zhou Xin, who reigned 1154-1121 B.C.E. as the last king of the Shang dynasty. Zhou Xin was ill-advised and more concerned with the good life. Bi Gan admonished King Zhou for his cruelty and tyranny. The king got tired of listening to Bi Gan and executed him. Bi Gan's pregnant wife fled to a forest near a spring and gave birth to a son. King Zhou was overthrown by Prince Jifa who later assumed the title King Wu of the Zhou dynasty. King Wu restored honors and conferred upon Bi Gan's son the surname of Lum (Lin, Lim, Lam in various dialects) out of respect for his birthplace in the forest. The Lum family register the birth of their children at their family temple. In the diaspora however, many family members who have assimilated into the local community have not officially registered at their local Lum Sai Ho Tong. All (forest) Lum, Lim, Lam, Lin family members affiliated with Hawaii are welcome to fill out the application form (under construction), mail it in to Lum Sai Ho Tong, and come to the monthly meetings. You must have the surname Lum Sai Ho Tong (808) 536-6590 1315 River St. Honolulu, HI 96817 This page last modified 23 September 2007 | Tin Hau Temple The Tin Hau temple is located within Lum Sai Ho Tong. It is open to the public as a place of worship. The tutelary diety of the temple was born a daughter (Lum Mo Niang) of the Lum family in 960 C.E. and given the name Tin Hau (Heavenly Empress) in 987 C.E. after becoming an immortal after performing multiple miracles. In 1123 C.E., the Emperor Huizong built her a temple and the imperial court officially recognized her as a goddess. The Lum family call her Gu Po (Great Grand Aunt). |
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