Posted on: Friday, April 20, 2001
Wah Duck Young, ethnic guardian, dead at 87
By Bob Krauss
Advertiser Staff Writer
Wah Duck Young, who saved the legendary Chung Shan School, also known as the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Language School, died April 13 of cancer. He was 87.
When the city demolished the pioneer school for the Kukui redevelopment project in the 1960s, Young moved the classes above his feed store on Fort Street. The feed store became a center of agitation to preserve Chinatown. He and his friends raised money to protect the rights of aged Chinese facing eviction, and influenced the course of development and cultural preservation in the district.
"He was one of the founders of the Chinese Cultural Plaza, so that the school could go there and they couldn't tear it down again," said his nephew Danny Young.
In 1962, Young opened the King's Garden Chinese restaurant in Kaimuki to put food on the table and to keep the school alive.
He spearheaded a fund-raising campaign by the Buck Toy Benevolent Society to build a middle school in his ancestral village in Chungsan, China. The Youngs in Hawai'i donated $80,000 toward an elementary school there.
For years, Young worked 15 hours a day as principal of the Sun Yat Sen School, running the restaurant and promoting cultural activities.
His father was a founder of the United Chinese Society of Hawaii. Both father and son were past presidents. Young was also director emeritus of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
He was born Sept. 27, 1914, in China, where his father served as Chungsan magistrate for Sun Yat Sen. As a boy, kidnappers held him for ransom for six months. He said the experience taught him the importance of responsibility and education.
Young came to Hawai'i and married in the 1930s. He and his wife, Grace, had one child who died in infancy.
Funeral arrangements are on hold because Mrs. Young is ill. In addition to his wife, Young is survived by two brothers, Wah Chock, and Wah Kwock of Los Angeles; a sister, Winnie; and eight nieces and nephews.
Donations in Young's name may be made to the United Chinese Society, 42 North King St., Honolulu, HI 96817.
