Welcome to Chock Chin of Hanalei
Chock Chin – 1916
Chock Chin (aka T’o Tsien) was the patriarch of a large Chinese family who settled in the beautiful Hanalei valley on the island of Kauai, Hawaii in the late 1800s.
His early years in China were full of enormous social and political changes. In 1883, at the age of 18, he chose to throw off the trappings of his privileged social rank and seek adventure and opportunity in the Territory of Hawaii.
Leaving his first wife behind to care for his mother, in compliance with Chinese tradition, he sailed toward the new landscapes, foods, languages, and ideas that waited in the new world. This pivotal decision was to have an enormous effect on the lives of his descendants. This site is designed to help us remember him, and debt we owe him for the courage, grit, creativity and love with which he built the foundations of our lives in America.
Family Stories
“Papa was already in the baking business by 1898. How we loved that bakery/restaurant area, full of tantalizing aromas and good things to eat!” –Janet Kum Chee Chock, daughter
Chock Chin had a total of three Chinese wives and one Hawaiian wife. Except for the first wife, all of the wives bore children. All of them lovingly raised the children from the deceased wives.
Chock Chin came from the province where dim sum originated, and brought the skill to create these delightful “small bite” delicacies to his family. On Sundays, he and his wife woke at 2:00 am to prepare them, and only woke the children at daybreak to start the fire.
“Papa dug and fashioned a huge pond supplied with constant fresh water and stocked it with fish. He planted edible lotus roots imported from China.” –Janet Kum Chee Chock, daughter
“Papa ordered his herbs and Chinese medicines from Chee Wo Tong in Honolulu. When we had tonsillitis, he put a powdered medicine into a small bamboo tube and blew the medicine into our throats.” –Ardith Yook Larn Chock, daughter
“Papa delivered each of his children except Ardith, who was delivered by Mrs. Deverill because Papa was away.” –Nee Chang Chock, daughter
The family gathered to honor the dead each April during Ching Ming, and celebrated with food, liquor, firecrackers, candles, incense and the ritual burning of gold and silver money.
There was a popular restaurant in the family’s C. Akeoni store where locals, visitors from the port, and paniolos from the ranch were handsomely fed. Not only was this a great way to provide for the family, but it turned out to be a fantastic way to teach children as well.
Our surname is Zhuo in Mandarin. In Cantonese, it sounds like Cheuk or Chock. Which is how it sounded to immigration authorities when Grandpa told them his name and they wrote it down as Chock.
We are descendants of the kings of the State of Chu. Chock/Zhuo卓 came from the name of a prince of Chu and he was the common ancestor of Chock/Zhuo. There were 27 kings, and Gong Zi Zhuo 公子卓was son of the 20th king, King Wei of Chu (楚威王) (Xiong Shang 熊商)
The image shows remains of a chariot and two horses, found in a royal tomb of a king of Chu — excavated in 2008.
New research has expanded our family tree back 91 generations. Yep. You read that right. Learn about the remarkable work of our distant cousin, Zhuo Bing Quan to update the Zhuo/Chock family jia pu.
Meet the Family
Chun Shee
Chun Shee was the third wife of Chock Chin.
Dorothy Kam Mew Chock was the second child of Chock Chin and Hee Shee (2nd Chinese wife).
Nee Chang Chock was the second child of Chock Chin and Chun Shee (3rd Chinese wife).
Ardith Yook Larn Chock
Ardith Yook Larn Chock was the fifth child of Chock Chin and Chun Shee (3rd Chinese wife).
George F (Goon Fong) Chock
George F (Goon Fong) Chock was the third child of Chock Chin and Hee Shee (2nd Chinese wife).
George Gordon Chock was the only son of George F Chock and Edith Maes.
Harry Toong Sung Chock
Harry Toong Sung Chock was the fourth child of Chock Chin and Chun Shee (3rd Chinese wife).
Wilfred Yau Kin Chock
Wilfred Yau Kin Chock was the first child of Chock Chin and Chun Shee (3rd Chinese wife).
Family Recipes
Get Involved
Calling all descendants of Chock Chin.
We welcome you to get involved in our family community. You can:
- Blog about your family
- Share memories and pictures that have been passed down to you
- Celebrate the gifts, talents, interests and family traits that weave through the family generations
If you’re not comfortable using WordPress, you can email your information to me, and I’ll post it for you. Don’t be shy. Call forth the courage in your noble bloodline, and jump in.
Contact:
Susan Chock Salgy | ssalgy@gmail.com | 801-369-4205