Chinatown

Chinatown is a historic neighborhood in the heart of Honolulu, stretching between the harbor and Nuuanu Stream. As the first business and commercial district on the island of Oahu, it began to take shape in 1810 as a settlement for local fishermen and the first foreign immigrants. With the arrival of Chinese contract laborers for the sugarcane plantations in the 19th century, the neighborhood developed into a lively hub, and Japanese, Filipinos, and other groups later settled here as well. Residents opened a diverse mix of retail shops, restaurants, temples, and cultural institutions, making Chinatown one of the most ethnically mixed districts in the city.

The neighborhood's architecture was shaped above all by destruction from major fires. After a devastating fire in 1886 and a subsequent bubonic plague epidemic in 1899, which led to the controlled burning of buildings, most structures were rebuilt starting in 1900. After a period of economic decline and a shift in customer traffic in the late 1950s, Chinatown underwent a strong revitalization beginning in the 1970s. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places helped preserve the historic architecture and attracted new investment.

Today the neighborhood is visited mainly by locals and ranks among the most visited places in Hawaii. You can browse the newly developed shopping centers such as the Maunakea Marketplace or the Kekaulike Mall and visit the restored Hawaii Theatre. The cultural offerings have expanded to include art galleries, stages, and events such as the First Friday Art Walk. The current population is highly diverse, with a large majority of Asian descent, which underscores the international character of the neighborhood.