“On Tuesday night the Chinese portion of the city was busy preparing for the Chinese New Year and by eight o’clock the streets were all brilliantly illuminated from Nuuanu street to the Chinese Theatre, throughout the business portion of town. Chinese lanterns of every conceivable size and of every degree of display were hung from doorways and balconies.”
“During Tuesday night there were intermittent explosions of firecrackers which caused many a dreamer to turn restlessly in his bed, and when four o’clock of Wednesday arrived a veritable bombardment of small fire-crackers took place throughout Chinatown, and awakened everybody within hearing distance of the neighborhood.”
“During Wednesday morning the ancient Chinese dragon, wonderful in form and notable in history, was carried in procession through the streets, honored with the beating of a multitude of gongs and the firing of innumerable firecrackers, which in bursting scattered green, red, and orange colored bits of paper over the streets.” (Daily Honolulu Press, February 4, 1886)
“The streets in Chinatown were transformed into beautiful vistas of chromatic light, from thousands of lanterns ranged in mathematical lines from above and below the everlasting verandahs. A terrific bombardment of fireworks was sustained against the slumbers of all within earshot of celestial domiciles through the livelong night.”
“A hideous noise like the beating of a thousand coal oil cans by an army of urchins, the firing of combustible crackers and the clamor of a hundred Chinamen on Nu‘uanu street this forenoon announced the coming of the Chinese dragon.”
“The procession stopped in front of the principal Chinese houses, and while batteries of lire crackers were exploding, the dragon would rush forward with mouth open and fangs projecting, as though to destroy imaginary victims, but retreating at the fantastic movement of a magical wand in the hands of a coolie.” (Daily Bulletin, February 11, 1886)
“The new Chinese Club House on King street was the center of attraction during the day and night. In the morning at seven o’clock the Royal Hawaiian Band played numerous airs in front of the building. At half-past ten o’clock Mr. Berger’s boys were relieved by the Reformatory School band.”
“The new Club House was formally opened at eleven o’clock. The following address was read by Mr. C. Alee and was re-spoken in English by Mr. C. Winam:”
“‘Today is our Chinese New Year, a day which it has been our custom from time immemorial to celebrate as we celebrate no other in the year.’”
“‘It is a day to which we look forward with the most pleasing anticipations, and being Election Day for the nation it is also memorable on that account. May the representatives now chosen be men of wisdom to direct aright the councils of this much favored land.’”
“‘It gives us the greatest pleasure to express on behalf of our countrymen the gratification we feel on being honored upon the entry into this our new Society house with the presence of so many of our friends. We trust that the mutual friendly relations that have existed between us in the past may continue in the future and grow stronger as this Society grows in usefulness.’”
“‘In our capacity as President and Vice-President of this Association we, Ching Alee and Goo Kim, feel it to be our duty to make a few remarks in reference to the future object and maintenance of this Society.’”
“‘In compliance with the suggestion of His Excellency, Ching. Chinese Minister at Washington, this Association was formed under the name of ‘Chung Wa Ui Qwun’ – The United Chinese Society – in 1882, and on the 27th day of August, 1884, it was properly organized under charter of incorporation granted by His Excellency Charles T. Gulick, Minister of the Interior of the Hawaiian Kingdom.’”
“‘As we had no place of our own to which to hold our regular meetings during the past four years, the China [Engine] Company No. 5 has been so kind as to lend its hall to us.’”
“‘This Society building is now completed entirely through the voluntary assistance of our Chinese residents in the Hawaiian Kingdom.’”
“‘Our object in forming this association is to exercise a care and supervision over such of the Chinese residents as shall connect themselves with this Society …’”
“‘… to make them acquainted with the laws and ordinances of the Hawaiian Government, particularly with those laws and ordinances which concern in any way our Chinese residents …’”
“‘… to render assistance and advice to such a may stand in need there-of, especially to sick Chinese and those in destitute condition …’”
“‘… to prevent and settle disputes among Chinese if possible, and to prevent, as far as it may be in our power, all unlawful combinations or posting of seditious or otherwise objectionable placards, and to render such aid to the Government as they may request or authorize in matters pertaining to the Chinese residents in this kingdom.’”
“‘All the future funds for maintenance of this Society are to be raised from the Chinese residents. We therefore trust that the purposes of this Society shall be attained, that it will grow in its benevolence and usefulness …’”
“‘… and that its officers shall ever administer its affairs in the spirit in which it was founded, that it may be of advantage not only to ourselves but to the non-Chinese residents of this community, and that through it you may obtain true glimpses of Chinese customs and manners.’”
“‘We now by virtue of the official position delegated to us as President and Vice-President of the United Chinese Society declare this Hall open.’”
“Among those present at the opening exercises were: HRH the princess Lili‘uokalani, His Majesty’s Chamberlain, Col. Judd, the Judges of the Supreme Court, His Majesty’s Ministers, members of the Foreign Diplomatic Corps, and a large number of invited citizens.”
“The new Club House consists of a large store-room on the upper floor which include a large club-room, two anterooms, one pantry and one store-room.”
“The club-room was elegantly furnished and substantial repast was kept ready for all who came. During the day 584 persons attended the reception. Appropriate festivities were kept up in the evening. It is estimated that the Chinese residents of Honolulu have expended not less than $15,000 in the celebration of the Chinese New Year.” (Daily Honolulu Press, February 4, 1886)
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