HAPI breaks ground for Eureka  Chinatown Monument

On Jan. 30, The Eureka Chinatown Project  (ECP), an initiative of Humboldt Asian  and Pacific Islanders (HAPI), gathered in  Eureka to celebrate the groundbreaking of  the Chinatown Monument.  

The monument is being built to commemorate the history of the Chinese immigrant community in Humboldt. Over 200 locals attended the ceremony along with project managers, donors, volunteers, speakers and Eureka city council members. 

According to Humboldt Special Collections, in the late 1800s, on the block of land currently residing E, F, 4th and 5th streets in Eureka, there were over 300 Chinese immigrants who lived in a bustling Chinatown.  

Meaning behind the monument 

The Eureka Chinatown Monument honors and raises awareness of the events that led to the forced removal of the Chinese population from Humboldt.

Jessica Hall, one of the designers on the Eureka Chinatown project, shared the importance of coming together as a community. 

“We need to be more inclusive and thoughtful about how we all live together,  rather than to fold into hostility and fear,”  Hall said. “It’s a reminder that America  is built on immigration as well as Native  America and we need to do better as people  to make our country stronger.” 

Natalie Arroyo, the Humboldt County fourth district supervisor, discussed her involvement in the Eureka Chinatown project.  The project was initially planned to be at a different site. Its current location is in close proximity to the warehouse in the 1800s where Chinese immigrants were detained. 

“I think it’s important that we be honest with ourselves about what treatment people have endured here, both the city and the county,” Arroyo said. 

Arroyo emphasized the importance of recognizing underrepresented communities and the history that hasn’t been told.  

“Bringing those stories to the forefront really helps to understand the richness of our community and make everyone feel more welcome,” Arroyo said. 

Sean Mclaughlin, retired director of  Access Humboldt and a community member involved in the Chinatown project, views the monument as a way to address past injustices while building a positive future.  

“This is an opportunity to celebrate progress in our community, to recognize our history and repair and rebuild our history going forward,” Mclaughlin said.

Timeline of the project

Vicki Ozaki, a member of the HAPI  steering committee since 2021, explained that through fundraising, the HAPI organization raised over $250,000 in a span of five years,  in efforts to build the monument.  

Sheri Woo, HAPI’s construction and design team lead, explained how each section of the monument holds significance. Key features include a moon arch symbolizing immigration and river markers representing the Asian population in Humboldt County over time. The monument is predicted to be completed this Summer with plans of a  ribbon cutting ceremony in September.  

“Having this monument here is more of a permanent reminder of the story,” Woo said.

For more information about the monument or the organization, people can contact HAPI through their email hapi. humboldt@gmail.com or visit their website hapihumboldt.org.