The patriarch of the family that founded Cook Kwees Maui Cookies has died.

The Rev. Soen Liang Kwee died Sept. 16 at his home in Wailuku. He was 90.

Kwee gave up a life of luxury as a university professor and manager of a conglomerate in Indonesia to immigrate to the United States, after racial riots and a pogrom of Chinese in the 1960s.

In a newspaper interview four years ago, Kwee said he made the move so that his children would have better educational opportunities and his family could enjoy religious freedom.

His first job on Maui was as a painter.

Cook Kwees Cookies was developed in the family’s kitchen and became a popular gift item on Hawaii retail shelves.

The business was sold more than 20 years ago.

Kwee also worked as a property tax appraiser for Maui County.

He helped develop a small group ministry, Valley Isle Fellowship, that fed homeless people.

He is survived by his wife, Lydia Kiauw Nio; sons, John, Nathan and Sam; daughter Rosy Olaso; brother Eddy Kusumah; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 8 at Ballard Family Mortuary. Memorial services will follow at 11 a.m. The family requests no flowers.

Online condolences may be made at ballardfamilymortuaries.com.