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New, Free Land, as Far As The Eye Could See -- America
Hawaii Sugar Industry (Nishimoto Sugar co.), was owned by Kamaki Nishimoto who was Eiji's famous grandfather. "The sugar Industry was an oppurtunity of a life time. Witht the help of my grandfather, I could immigrate to America and be given a labor opputunity that many people only wish they could have." said Eiji. Eiji planned to immigrate on his 16 birthday one month. -
A Serious Year of Failure
“Today was a shocking and tragic day. I was hit with a very powerful and big flood that affected the town and people of the area. Two weeks before I could immigrate officially to Hawaii and start my new life, the flood hit the town and I survived off a boat I found near the harbor.” Eiji said. This was a huge problem mainly for immigrants because it would delay their departure west. 20,026 people lost their lives in the flood. 2 years of hard reconstruction of the towns, fields, and homes. -
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Immigration and Westward Expansion
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A New Life, a New Begining
400,000 men and women moved from Japan to the United States that year and 1/6 of the population went for a job in the sugar industry. " l have never felt this kind of excitment or freedom ever before in my life" Erine Micheals. After seven years, I had the freedom to move West and start my new life in the Hawaii Sugar Industry. -
Arrival Wasn't the Way I Thought
"When l arrived in Hawaii, my oppurtunity had been given away. My grandfathers spot had been taken away and he was fired by the government. I was forced to leave and move west. The anger ran through my body faster than the speed of light." With the money l had left, I managed to get my hands on transportation to gold. I seeked money and fortune and it said all over town that money and fortune could be found if you went to California." Eiji set out to California for a new life. -
California Was a New Oppurtunity
Foreigners licensed law was passed and it allowed Japanese to rush for gold. This pulled many Japanese to California because it gave them a chance to make money and live a better life. The push factors though are that it is very time and effort consuming. The life you live is risky and it is expensive to get to California from Japan. “If this law had not been passed, I don’t know what I would have done” said Eiji. Many families declared it as one of their most important days of their life. -
California Was a New Oppurtunity (Part 2)
Eiji arrived and saw a river and men and women as far as he could see. “A little area of patched grass was unwatched and unattended. Eiji saw it as an opportunity and it was a perfect spot for me” said Eiji. This caused the Japanese to find a new way of life that will benefit them for a while. This affected all Americans because many people didn’t enjoy having all Japanese around them so that caused fights and even murders. -
As Life Moves On
"I have learned how to be one of the best miners and I have been making enough money to keep myself physically strong and healthy." Eiji said. Eiji transfered areas a couple of times to see if there is better oppurtunities than the same area he occupies. Many Japenese immigrants That started out as gold rush miners, turned out to be farmers or even government officials. Eiji said that if he had left to farm, all his dedication and training would be gone. -
The Death Of Eiji Nishimoto
At the age of 47, Eiji Nishimoto passed away. Eiji passed away from a sickness related to cancer and made him sick. " I'm glad I carried on my heritage and my family is wating for me." said Eiji. Eiji's life was dedicated to mining and he was very good at it as well. Eiji had spent 11 years in California and he spent 3 years traveling and 6 in Hawaii.
