The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1883-12-19
SAM HOP HOI.
A Tripartite Chinese Association,

An article appeared in the Bulletin of this city,
on the 18th instant, headed 'Ihe Triad Society,"
and which referred to tbs existence IN this city of
a secret organization composed of Chinese, the
chief objects of which the protection of gam
bling, smuggling and the organization of labor
strikes. The article seemed at the first glance to
be somewhat sensational in character but, n
GAZETTL reporter has made inquiries and, after
much trouble, more than it took to obtain inform
alton of the Protest or Report Of the Mounted
Police has obtained the following reliable in
formation relative to this dangerous organization.
The Sam Hop Hoi or "United Three Is an or
ganizatiOn composed of three other organizations,
the Hop Hung Co., the Use hung lung Co, and
the lung Hung Co, and has headquarters in
China, with branches in San Francisco, Brazil,
Java, and In this city. The objects of the organ
izatiol TO afford protection TO its members
whenever they may get In trouble with the laws of
the country that they may be residing in. to render
aid and assistance to gamblers and smugglers, OF
which the associations mostly composed, and to
aid in creating and maintaining political disturb
anccs. On this latter account known member OF
tho sam Hop Hoi Co., If found in China, Is decap.
itatcd without recourse to law. In this country
there are but two of the three branches the Use
kung lung, or as it is specially called here the
Poo Loung Sal Co.. and the lung Hung Co, the
former being largely composed Of Punii men, the
latter of Haiku men, the total membership of
which is 5000, the Poo Loung Sal having 300 and
the lung Hung COCO members.
The members of these secret organizations are
put through a course of initiation and are bound
DN udtlh taken III most approved NouluClan stNe,
They have secret signs, pass words, grips etc. and
even manipulate the hieroglyphics of the Chinese
language in 4 manner understandable only by fel-
low members. Their hatred or bad will Is much
feared by the respectable Chinese who would
suffer much before giving away any of the
actions Of the known members, that might come
TO their notice. The head man OF the Honolulu
branch Of the Sam ROr Hoi Co, is reported 10 be
at present in Hawaii, and the chiefs Of the other
two residents of this city, but none of their
names could be learned with any accuracy. Two
native police officers of this kingdom are reported
to be members of the organization, as also Chi
nese Hawaiian also police officer, and who is re-
ported 10 be shining light, on account of his
Governmental position, in the Poo LounC Sal Go.
A white man who speaks the Punt dialect wei is
also reported to be a member.
The locations of the association rooms are well
but the locks and bars with which they are
provided defy the entrance of those visitors who
may be mot wanted" The rooms of the Poo
Loung Sal Co., are situated on King street in the
rear of the building formerly occupied by Mrs.
1hrum, and formerly a boarding house. Even
the heads Of the police department are cognizanl
Of the impreguability of tins fortress of gamblers
and smupglers, no approach being obtainable
without warning the occupants. The other asso-
ciation, the lung Hung Co., is having structure
built, for the uses of the society near the
corner of Beretania and Maunakea streets
and which, when completed, will afford another
refuge to these dangerous Outcasts from respect
able Chinese socie y.
A further inquiry is underway and further in.
formation relative TO the work Of the societies with
the names Of their ostensible local leaders will be
attempted 10 be obtained.