Chinese Society Halls on Maui
Encyclopedia
At their peak, there were six Chinese Society Halls on Maui. Operated by the Gee Kung Tong Society, these halls were created to provide services to immigrant Chinese
workers, mostly working for the sugarcane plantations
. All provided religious and political help, in addition to mutual aid. Only the Wo Hing Society Hall
in Lahaina and the Ket Hing Society Hall in Kula
have survived. Both were placed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1982, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1982. The Chee Kung Tong Society Hall was placed onto both State and Federal registers, but collapsed in 1996.
Six clubhouses or "Halls" were built. Two survive to this day, while the others have disappeared.
The site was placed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1982 and the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1982, but delisted in August 1998 from the State register; it is still listed in the NRHP database.
on Cross Road. It was erected in 1907 and was the first two story structure in Kula. The current building that stands on the site is a replacement. It was placed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1982 and the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1982
The hall was placed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1982 and the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1982
The exact times of existence and closure are unknown.
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
workers, mostly working for the sugarcane plantations
Sugar plantations in Hawaii
Sugarcane was introduced to Hawaii by its first inhabitants in approximately 600 AD and was observed by Captain Cook upon arrival in the islands in 1778. Sugar quickly turned into a big business and generated rapid population growth in the islands with 337,000 people immigrating over the span of a...
. All provided religious and political help, in addition to mutual aid. Only the Wo Hing Society Hall
Wo Hing Society Hall
The Wo Hing Society Hall is a building located at 858 Front Street in the Lahaina Historic District in Lahaina, Hawaii. Built around 1912, it served the growing Chinese population centered in Lahaina, primarily those working in the sugar cane industry as a social and fraternal hall for the Wo Hing...
in Lahaina and the Ket Hing Society Hall in Kula
Kula, Hawaii
Kula is a district of Maui, Hawaii that stretches across the "up-country", the western-facing slopes of Haleakalā, from Makawao to Ulupalakua. Most of the residential areas lie between about 500 to 1,100 m in elevation...
have survived. Both were placed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1982, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1982. The Chee Kung Tong Society Hall was placed onto both State and Federal registers, but collapsed in 1996.
Purpose
In 1852, many Chinese were brought to work on Hawaii's sugar plantations, mainly single men. When their contracts expired, some stayed behind and took up other trades. Due to the influx and distance from mainland China, Chinese Tong societies sprouted up to provide Chinese religious and political help, in addition to mutual aid, friendship, and funerary benefits upon death.Six clubhouses or "Halls" were built. Two survive to this day, while the others have disappeared.
Chee Kung Tong
The Chee Kung Tong Society Hall was a former society hall located on 2151 Vineyard Sreet in Wailuku. County records indicate that the building was first listed as being built in 1897, thought other sources differ on the matter. It collapsed sometime on April 19, 1996. Today, the vacant lot sits derelict, with only a cement foundation and gate marking the site.The site was placed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1982 and the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1982, but delisted in August 1998 from the State register; it is still listed in the NRHP database.
Ket Hing Society Building
The Kwock Hing Society Hall (Ket Hing Society Building) is a two story structure in KulaKula, Hawaii
Kula is a district of Maui, Hawaii that stretches across the "up-country", the western-facing slopes of Haleakalā, from Makawao to Ulupalakua. Most of the residential areas lie between about 500 to 1,100 m in elevation...
on Cross Road. It was erected in 1907 and was the first two story structure in Kula. The current building that stands on the site is a replacement. It was placed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1982 and the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1982
Wo Hing Society Hall
The Wo Hing Society Hall is a building located on Front Street in Lahaina built around 1912. The two story structure and cookhouse served as both a meeting place for Chinese immigrants working in Lahaina and offered religious services on the second floor. The use of the hall declined by the 1940s when many Chinese left for business opportunities in Honolulu. The building was restored in 1983 with the help of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. It currently operates to the public under the name of Wo Hing Museum.The hall was placed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1982 and the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1982
Other Halls
Three other halls are said to have existed at one time or another. They include:- Lin Hing Society Clubhouse in Ke'anae
- Tow Yee Kwock Society in Wailuku
- Chee Kung Tong Society clubhouse in Kipahulu
The exact times of existence and closure are unknown.