The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-12-30
REPORT Of COMMISSION
SANITARY REGULATIONS FOR
CHINATOWN.


At a special meeting of the Board or
Health held yesterday afternoon the re-
port of the sanitary commission was
read, accepted and the recommended
tons of the three commissioners adopt
ed. Among the statements concerning
the condition of Chinatown occurs the
following:
I'VE are not surprised at the indigna-
ton expressed when a citizen finds he
is living in a community where fresh
meat is exposed for sale in shops with
in a few feet of which are cesspools
reeking with filth and Vermin, from
which come clouds of flies; where res
taurants have cesspools with no other
covering than the kitchen floors, into
which CockroaChes crowd by the thou
sands after a night of foraging over
tables and dishes; where poultry is kept
huddled for weeks in small coops one
above the other; where poi is manufaC-
tured and sold in shops sour with fer
mented slime; where kitchens are built
next to foul-smelling privies, and so
arranged that ray of light never en-
terS them; where sinks are maintained
with long, leaking drains; where cess
pools and priVy vaults are crowded to-
gether or combined and left unopened
year after year to saturate the ground
with filth and germs; where Cesspools
are often without ventilation of any
kind excepting the crevices of the floors
above or perhaps a rickety wooden vent
ending within two feet of a sleeping
apartment window, which is overCroWG-
ed at night with occupants, and where
the ground is often without drainage,
so that the seepage from the surround
ings accumulates and becomes stag
nant.
80 To condemn the whole dis
trict or to remove Chinatown is imprac-
ticable; to pass resolutions which can
not be enforced under present laws is
useless. Many regulations which should
be strictly enforced under present con-
ditiOns will be unnecessary at the end
of six months, when our sewerage sys-
tenn will be completed and all changes
should be made with this in view. Many
cesspools are at present inaccessible,
and often there is no place but the
street for garbage therefore, to cut
streets through the large and alleys
through the smaller blocks, we believe
is essential to a proper sanitary condi-
ton"
1t was recommended first that
skilled sanitary engineer be sent for.
Second, the immediate building or
purchase of six eXcavators for use in
Chinatown.
Third, that the bed of Pauoa stream
from the bridge on Vineyard street to
Nuuanu stream be floored with mason
ny and confined to one channel.
Fourth, that all land in the district
be raised so that it shall be not less
than eighteen inches above ground wa
ter level.
Fifth. the immediate construction of a
garbage crematOry.
Sixth, the building of meat market in
Chinatown and the sale of meat, poul-
try poi, etc, be confined to it.
Seventh, the immediate extension or
the sewers to include all congested dis
tricts of the city.
Eighth, that streets and alley-ways
be cut through certain blocks (shown
on maps to be presented later at the
expense of the property owners affect
ed.
Nine and ten recommend certain
laws.
In addition to these recommendations
a set of rules and regulations was sub
mitted and passed with the report.
These regulations are to go into effect
at once They refer to closets, alley
ways, yards, floors and buildings gem
orally. Size of living rooms and num-
Der of people that may occupy each is
provided for. Closets must have wood
or brick walls and have ventilation.
Yards are to be inspected and garbage
removed regularly. AS air and sunlight
are mentioned all through the regula-
tons, many houses in Chinatown will
have to come down and additions 10
buildings in the past few years Will
come off. In most cases the original
structures are not objected to, the addi-
lions being the cause of croWding.
one of the regulations provides that
there must be an .air space of at least
fourteen inches between floors and the
ground. Attention was called to the
fact that the floors of nearly all of the
small shacks on Nuuanu between Hotel
street and Chaplain lane rest upon the
ground and have done so ever since
they were built. These floors are as
though stepped in filth and require I'M
mediate attention. Many houses in chi
ma town, Mr.. Carter, reported, are in the
same condition.
During the afternoon numerous ques-
lions were asked Mr. Carter and MT.
Ripley. representing the committee
They were usually answered by Mr..
Carter in a very clear and forcetul
manner. President Dole, Minister Mott
smith, Minister Young, Mr.. Carter ana
Mr.. Ripley were present with the Board
during the meeting.