This 1936 group photograph commemorates the inauguration of duties of members of the Singapore Kiung Chow Hwee Kuan. It was taken at Tin Hou Kong temple at 47 Beach Road, which also doubled up as the clan’s headquarters. Amongst those pictured in the front row are Kheng Keow Coffee Shop Association President Huang Cai Yuan (黄才源, 4th L) as well as temple asset custodians Chen Kai Guo (陈开国, centre, in Chinese suit) and Lin Yan Qiao (林衍桥, 3rd R). Chen had also served as the chairperson of the Kiung Chow Union of Malaya (南洋英属琼州会馆联合会) which was headquartered in Singapore. Established in 1857 by Hainanese clansmen, Kiung Chow Hwee Kuan is one of Singapore’s eight oldest registered clan associations. In 1994, it was renamed as Hainan Hwee Kuan (海南会馆).
