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HISTORY
Who We Are
Established in 1897, Oo Syak Gee Lu Society is recognized as one of the oldest remaining Chinese village societies in Honolulu, Hawaii. Comprised of immigrants from Oo Syak Gee Lu Village and their descendants, Oo Syak Gee Lu Society remains committed to honoring heritage, perpetuating culture, and fostering community.
Birthplace of Oo Syak Gee Lu Society: Kwong Hip Lung Co. (third building from left) with Punchbowl Crater, circa 1882
Source: Digital Archives of Hawaii
Map of Chung Shan
Source: Tin-Yuke Char, The Sandalwood Mountains (Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii, 1975), p. 17
1897: Founding
Situated within the Gook Doo (谷都, guk1 du1, gǔdū) district of Chung Shan (中山, zung1saan1, zhōng shān) county, in Kwangtung (广东, gwong2 dung1, guǎng dōng) Province is Oo Syak (乌石, wu1 sek6, wūshí) Village.
In 1878, Oo Syak-born merchant, Chang Yick Leong, immigrated to Honolulu and established Kwong Hip Lung Co., a general store selling Chinese and Western goods. Sitting at the corner of Hotel and Smith Streets, the store also provided meals and lodging, and served as a gathering place for Oo Syak immigrants living all over the Hawaiian Islands.
This was the beginnings of what would later become Oo Syak Gee Lu Society. In December 1897, Chang Yick Leong and his assistant, Chang Dim Sing, along with brothers Chang Batt and Chang Kee founded Oo Syak Gee Lu Society with the purpose of helping fellow Oo Syak immigrants find work in the Hawaiian Islands, and to promote friendship and harmony among them.
Portrait of Founder Chang Yick Leong
As the number of patrons increased, Chang Yick Leong saw the need for more space and bought a property for five hundred dollars on 312/318 Kamakila Lane near North Kukui Street. On the property, he built a two-story wooden structure with a sitting area upstairs reserved for members to rest and “talk story,” and a downstairs area for travelers passing through.
After many years, Chang Yick Leong returned to China for retirement. In 1900, Honolulu community members wrote him a letter requesting if he could transfer the property’s deed to the society. Chang Yick Leong accepted, generously donating the property. This property served as the society’s headquarters and source of income as a rental for many years until its unfortunate condemnation by Honolulu City Council for its Chinatown redevelopment project in 1960.
1955: Incorporation
In 1955, Oo Syak was incorporated under the laws of the Territory of Hawaii. In its charter, the objectives and purposes of the corporation include "developing, promoting and maintaining harmony among members of the Oo Syak village of Canton, China who are now living in this Territory, and their descendants; and to do all things which may be deemed charitable, benevolent, educational and scientific to mankind."
At that point in time, the still standing headquarters was listed at 5645 sq. ft. on the property tax bill. About fourteen of the property’s rooms were rented for $10 to $17 a month with tenants being both Chinese and non-Chinese boarders.
Members in front entrance of the Kamakela Lane headquarters, mid 1950s
Members inside Society headquarters with portraits of founders Chang Yick Leong (left) and Chang Dim Sing (right), mid 1950s
1963: Search for a New Home
For a brief period in 1963-1964 when the Society was looking for a place to put its roots down, it acquired property in Waimanalo. This was a large beach front property, approximately half an acre, adjacent to Waimanalo Beach Park. This property is on Laumilo street near the present 7-Eleven store. Apparently many town members did not like the drive to Waimanalo. Seeing a decent investment in this property, a few Oo Syak members formed a hui and bought the property from the Society.
Currently, the Oo Syak Gee Lu Society owns an older 6-unit apartment building at 2624-B Kapiolani Blvd. near the intersection of Kapiolani, Date, and Kamoku streets, which was purchased in 1965 with funds from the sale of the Waimanalo property. Managed by a third-party agency, rental income from this property continues to fund the activities of the Society.
Today:
Continuing the Legacy
OSGL remains committed to the original objectives and purposes as stated in the 1955 Charter. Additionally, over the years as membership has become mostly Oo Syak descendants, OSGL aims to build its members’ connection to their family heritage and culture.
Members with Narcissus Court at Chinatown Parade, 2025
Historically, as with OSGL, many Chinese societies were exclusive in that only children from the male lineage were able to become members. Regardless of bloodline, females were considered to belong to their husband’s family after marriage. However, in 2018, membership eligibility requirements opened up to allow a female’s descendants to become members. As a result, this opened a flood of new applicants and OSGL membership was revitalized. Today, OSGL Society has about 250 current members and has had more than 600 known members over the generations.
From left: Diane Chang Liu, Jamie Chang, Kendrick Chang, Debbie Chun, Brad Chang, and Alicia Chang Sakamoto at OSGL Annual Banquet, 2025
The society’s activities, which are open to all members, include quarterly Board of Directors meetings, annual General Membership & Election meeting, Installation Luncheon, its Annual Banquet, and Annual Christmas Luncheon. Every year, OSGL Society is invited to participate in Hawaii Chinese community events such as the Chinese New Year Chinatown festival and parade, the Double Ten parade, and other events through its connections to the United Chinese Society, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and more.