Welcome to the All–Ohana Tong Family Website!
We have developed this website as a place where we celebrate and preserve the rich legacy of our ‘Ohana‘ which spans many generations in Hawai’i. Here we gather virtually to share our family histories and shared experiences, not only for ourselves, but for our children and future generations. Our hope is that these memories will help us to know ourselves, our history, and how we are connected to each other as one fabulous ‘Ohana!‘
- The marriage of Tong Yee (A’ii) and Kahaoleʻauʻa and the birth of their five daughters, and his marriage to Choy Seh and the birth of Tong Chong
- The first reunion of the Tong family which brought together Tong Yee’s Chinese-side descendants and a resolution to continue the tradition of reunions
- The re-discovery of the Hawaiian descendants of Tong Yee and Kahaoleʻauʻa, followed by the first reunion of their Chinese and Hawaiian descendants, held 148 years after the union our mutual ancestors
Read more about these three major events and our Chinese-Hawaiian beginnings.
In this photograph titled, PREPARING BAMBOO FOR PLAITING, C. 1894, the five sisters with some of their children, friends, suppliers and workers prepare bamboo using a technique which is believed to have been learned from China for plaiting into hats, fans, mats and baskets. Seated on the right against the wall are: left to right, Aʻlai in dark holokū (dress) with light kerchief around her neck; her sister Aʻoe Like in the dark holokū (next to A’ali, against the wall); Aana Cash Kekoa, in striped holokū (this is the only picture that has been found of Aana). On the left, in the back in a checked shirt and hat, is Jo Like, son of Aʻoe. In the foreground at the foot of the wooden post, in the light dress holding a bamboo pipe is Hannah Akamu, and two over in light dress, Emma Akamu, daughter of Aʻlai. Center front in flowered holokū with kerchief, holding a wide sheet of bamboo, is Mihana Aʻii (Kai 1976:30*).
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UPCOMING 2024 Family Reunion!
Stay tuned for updates.
Please send us a note if you would like to be involved in planning this memorable 2024 Family Reunion. Click here.
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Header Image by Lisa Revelli – A montage of Joseph Nawahi’s original painting of Hilo Bay and a representation of 1850 Chung Shan (Pearl River).