Posted on: Tuesday, January 22, 2002

Dr. Alfred C.S. Lum, Chinese leader in Hawai'i, dead at 99

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Dr. Alfred C.S. Lum, a dental surgeon and leader in the Chinese community in Hawai'i, died Jan. 9. He was 99.

Lum was born on Aug. 21, 1902 in Honolulu. When he was 1, he was sent to China to his ancestral village of Sun Wai, where he lived for 10 years before returning to Hawai'i.

In 1926, Lum graduated from St. Louis School. He then joined an amateur baseball team in southern China that toured Asia.

Lum returned to the Islands and worked for the Mutual Telephone Co., which later became known as Hawaiian Telephone. He left that job and attended the University of Hawai'i and the University of Southern California, where he completed his pre-dental schooling.

In 1940, Lum received his doctor of dental surgery degree from Kansas City University. He practiced dentistry for two years in Kansas City before joining the staff at the Palama Settlement Carter Dental Clinic.

Lum went into private practice two years later and worked until the early 1990s.

Lum was active in several Chinese community organizations and served as an officer with the Kong Chow Society, United Chinese Society, Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the See Yup Benevolent Society.

Lum is survived by his wife, Alycia; daughters, Lana Au and Maylani Chang; and two grandchildren.

Visitation is Saturday from 9-10 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, 2821 Lowrey Ave.; Mass 10 a.m. Donations may be made to St. Louis School, St. Pius X Church, or a favorite charity.