While warming up for the competition, he noticed one particular man watching them. The man introduced himself, and invited Lee to attend a lion dance seminar in San Francisco that year.
Little did Lee realise that the man was none other than Master Siow Ho Phiew, a lion dance expert and lion head crafter in Malaysia. In fact, he is known in Malaysia as the father of high pole lion dancing.
Lee said Master Siow demonstrated the art of Hoksan lion dancing to him, and invited him to Kuala Lumpur the following year so he could train with his team.
That was over 20 years ago: to this day, Lee and his students still make the yearly trip to Malaysia to train under him.
“My Sifu Master Siow is world-renowned for his craftsmanship in lion head manufacturing, and for teaching his style of Hoksan lion dancing. I believe he is one of the main reasons Lion Dancing has moved to the mainstream,” Lee told FMT Lifestyle.
“He is a father figure to many of his students and his passion to showcase the Malaysian style of lion dancing has touched so many worldwide.”
Lee, a third generation Chinese living in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been in love with lion dance since he was a little boy.
“When I was young, I wanted to ‘lion dance’ but there were no children’s-sized heads available. So, I learnt the Futsan style of drumming. Then I made my own head from a cardboard box and began to mimic the movements of the lion,” Lee quipped.
In 2013, Lee inherited the Gee Yung Chinese Martial Arts Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association, the second oldest school in Hawaii, from his late father, Arthur Yung Sung Lee.
Lee now trains his students in the art of this ancient Chinese artform, incorporating Malaysian lion dance techniques he learnt from Master Siow.
Lee credits Master Siow for encouraging him to organise the first World Invitational Lion Dance Championships in Honolulu in 2004.
The event was sanctioned by the World Lion Dance Federation and the Malaysia Selangor Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association, with participating teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and the US.
Lee is full of praise for Malaysian lion dance teams.
“Every Hawaiian team has a touch of Malaysian style in them, whether in the lion dancing or drumming. There are many teams now making the pilgrimage to Malaysia to train with Master Siow, and to better educate themselves and their association members,” Lee said.
“Every two years the World Lion Dance Championships are held in Genting Highlands and for many years Malaysian teams have been undefeated. They set the bar for lion dance showmanship, thus other lion dance teams learn and emulate their style.”
Lee confessed that prior to his visit here, he hadn’t heard much of Malaysia, but is now fond of the country.
“Since getting an invitation to come to Malaysia, it has been like a second home to me. The people are very respectful and friendly, and the hospitality has been incredible. And of course, the bak kut teh and many delicious Malaysian dishes. Excluding the durian!” he laughs.
You can catch Lee and his association members in the upcoming 2026 film “The Wrecking Crew”, starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista. Four of their dragons and five Hoksan lions will be performing in the film’s opening scene.
Today, he and the rest of his team take pride in promoting this timeless Chinese dance to the people of Hawaii.
“My hope for lion dance in the future is to see it become an Olympic sport. Lion dancing is becoming iconic worldwide, and Chinese culture is being practiced by those who want to keep the culture alive,” Lee concluded.
“Lion dancing has come a long way, and I have to thank the Malaysian teachers, students and community in further perpetuating this art.”
Follow Harlan Lee and the Gee Yung Martial Arts Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association on Facebook and Instagram.