Wo Hing Temple

The two-story Wo Hing Temple opened in 1912 as a meeting hall for the Chinese benevolent society Chee Kung Tong. It provided Chinese immigrants a place to preserve their cultural identity, celebrate festivities and socialize in their native tongue.

After WWII Lahaina's ethnic Chinese population spread far and wide and the temple fell into decline. It was restored and turned into a museum in 1984. Inside you'll find period photos, a ceremonial dancing-lion costume and a Taoist shrine.

Whatever you do, don't miss the tin-roof cookhouse out back, which holds a little theater showing fascinating films of Hawaii shot by Thomas Edison in 1898 and 1906, soon after he invented the motion-picture camera. These grainy B&W shots capture poignant images of old Hawaii, with paniolo (Hawaiian cowhands) running their cattle, cane workers in the fields and everyday street scenes. Take a look at the wall behind the screen to find a collection of opium bottles unearthed during an excavation of the grounds.