There is much talk today of the possibilities of substantive cultural, economic and social ties between tiny Hawai'i and massive China.

What might be less discussed is that the ties binding Hawai'i and China are already strong, indeed historic.

It is in this context that Hawai'i welcomes the auspicious visit of Guangdong Gov. Huang Hua-Hua today, who is in the Islands to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the sister-state/province relationship between Hawai'i and Guangdong.

The most prominent tie, of course, is Sun Yat-sen, educated at Iolani and Punahou schools here, who became the revolutionary founder of modern China.

Gov. Huang will be presented with a copy of a scroll written and signed by Sun and given to the family of Ahin Young, a prosperous Hawai'i rice farmer who was an ardent supporter of Sun and his revolution.

And while Sun may be the most famous Hawai'i-China connection, he is hardly the only one.

Among the "sons of Guangdong" who made a lasting impression on Hawai'i are merchants such as L. Ah Leong, Chun Hoon and Chun Afong, who married into Hawaiian royalty.

Also active in a variety of exchange programs here is the Soong Foundation, formed in honor of Soong Chingling, Sun's widow. Her sister, Meiling, married Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek.

And students of Chinese history are always pleased to hear that legendary patriot Chang Hsueh-liang, the "Young Marshall," spent his later years in Hawai'i.

So, indeed, ties between Hawai'i and China run deep. The governor's visit this week will certainly strengthen those bonds.