The Bainbridge Japanese-Americans were more welcomed in their community and their removal was seen as a sad event for all. To show support of the Japanese-Americans, the people of Bainbridge Island went to the ferry dock to say their goodbyes. They promised to watch over their properties and businesses while they were away.
The Japanese-Americans from Seattle though were treated much differently. The community was all for the removal of the Japanese and they took advantage of the situation. Because they were not allowed to bring anything but what they can carry to the internment camp, Americans started buying many of their properties and things for cheap knowing that they would have to leave everything anyway.
INTERNMENT:
In the internment camp the Bainbridge Island Japanese-Americans saw that they were very different from their Japanese counterparts from Washington. They upheld their dignity as American citizens and displayed their loyalty. The other Japanese from other areas were more hostile and an uprising occurred which stirred a riot in the camp. Bainbridge Islanders did not participate in the riot. They were later relocated at their request to Southern Idaho.
RETURN:
Upon their return, all Japanese-Americans were met with opposition. Many people did not want them back into the American community. Bainbridge Island Japanese-Americans experienced this also. However, the opposition did not hold strong. As they returned home, they were met with old friends and neighbors. The Japanese-Americans from other areas though did not persevere as well as them. Many communities wanted to continue the exclusion of Japanese. Like in Bellevue, the local companies did not want to see their Japanese competitors back in the game and wanted to use their property for their own gain. Only a few out of the 60 removed Japanese families returned to Bellevue.
