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Headline graphic: The Passing of Chinatown

Image: The Passing of Chinatown. "The burnt area now covers all the blocks except the ones marked in white. Whether these will be burned probably depends on the reports of the Board of Health and the relation they may bear to new plague cases."
Click on the thumbnails below for a larger image.

Image: The fire engine that couldn't. The brick walls of the fire station at the corner of Mauna Kea and Pauahi Streets stand in the background. Click for larger image.

No lives were lost in the fire, but 4,000 people were left homeless, without food and with little to begin life anew.

Image: Chinatown from King and River Streets. Only the shells of Kaumakapili Church and the fire station remain standing. Click for larger image.

Some believed the fire was intentionally allowed to spread,

Image: Kaumakapili Church in ruins. Click for larger image.

as certain people, including the editors of the Pacific Commercial Advertiser, had been agitating for the complete burning of Chinatown.

Image: Refugee camp at Kawaiahao Church. Click for larger image.

The refugees were placed in emergency camps at Kawaiahao Church, the area behind Iolani Palace, Kalihi and Queen Emma's property.

Image: View of Honolulu from Punchbowl. Click for larger image.

Chinatown was enclosed with a high wooden fence and access was restricted. The area had to be resurveyed, and until May 17, 1900, no building was permitted.
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