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| A variety of ethnic women were hired as maids for managers' and supervisors' family homes. |
Chinese History in Hawaii
The physical hardships by the sugar plantation lunas were hard to bare, so when their contracts were over the Chinese left and found success in business. They were called "coolies." The people wrote to the government to stop Chinese from coming to Hawaii.
In 1881 it was discovered that ships coming from China brought the Small Pox sickness with them. "Let us stop the Chinese and Japanese people from coming to Hawaii," some people said. Hawaii was still a Kingdom, but the United States Government passed a law in 1882 which stopped the Chinese from going to that country. This law did not include Hawaii which was under monarchy.
Hawaii's Efforts to Curb Chinese from Entering
Beginning in 1886,Chinese passengers had to have passports to land in Hawaii. But in 1892, Hawaii's men, who made the laws, made "An Act Restricting Chinese Immigration". This meant that only a few Chinese would be able to come to Hawaii afterwards.
In1898, Hawaii became part of the United States. Now it had to obey the 1882 ruling against the Chinese. This law was not changed until 1943.
Major Events that Followed
There were the Chinatown fires. The first one in 1886, lasted about three days. Eight blocks in downtown Honolulu were destroyed. Three hundred and fifty Hawaiians and seven thousand Chinese were homeless.
In 1899, the bubonic plague, a sickness that kills, was discovered in Chinatown. The government decided to burn the plague spots. Five people died in a few days. Even with four fire engines and many firemen ready, the winds blew the fire out of control. The fire went on for at least seventeen days. Stores, homes and all that was in them burned to the ground.
Although it was rough for the Chinese, many of them moved out of Chinatown and into other areas. It was a good thing because the Chinese had to learn how to get along with other people. And other people got to know about them too.
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| A variety of ethnic women were hired as maids for managers' and supervisors' family homes. |