March 22, 2023

Hawaii Beach of Miri

The name of the Chinese shop along Bakam Road before the Bakam Bridge at Kuala Bakam was set up by the Kapitan Cina, Mr. Goh before the Japanese Occupation. Byu 2023, the shop is almost 100 years old.

Old Mr. Goh had come directly from China and had set up business ast the coast between Kuala Bakam and Miri. He later married a Singapore Nyonya lady and together worked hard to get their sundry business going. The Goh family initially owned fishing boats and employed newly arrived Chinese migrants to fish in Luak Bay and south China Sea.

Being a very friendly person, he encouraged his native friends to do business with him. He collected their rubber and jungle products and shipped them to Miri where the products would be sent to Kuching and then Singapore. In the 1920's this was how jungle products were exported from most parts of Sarawak. All export items were sent to Kuching first by coastal shipping.



 The belian wood shop cum house remains intact throughout the Second World War and in the last half century. The Goh family continues to own the property.

According to a family friend, the beach was given the name Hawaii Beach many years ago because it was a code name given to those who were fond of cock fighting. An area along this beach was often a place where enthusiasts would gather for their game., Somehow the name got stuck but the young Goh who runs the business said that cock fighting is not longer a favoured game these days and he has never seen on taking place along the beach as an adult.

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