Zoning change
to let Chinatown
see the light

The Oahu district gets approval
to put up more signs in an effort
to better nighttime business

By Peter Wagner
Star-Bulletin

It's not going to brighten Chinatown overnight. Businesses in the historic district between Nuuanu Avenue and River Street will continue to struggle with a weak economy.

But new changes in a city zoning ordinance to allow more signs and neon lights on stores in the Chinatown Special District is a step in the right direction, supporters say.

"We're going to do two or three of our buildings right away," Robert Gerell, who developed Maunakea Marketplace and Kekaulike Market off Hotel Street. "We'll probably use Chinese characters and light bulbs, like Wo Fat."

The City Council yesterday approved the doubling of signs allowed on buildings, from two to four, and the use of protruding neon signs up to 18 square feet and other external lighting.

The move was opposed by Na Leo Pohai, an affiliate of the Outdoor Circle which fears relaxing the rules in Chinatown will break down restrictions in other neighborhoods.

"If you want better lighting, put up more poles," said Brian Durham, spokesman for the group. "We're not Hong Kong. We're not San Francisco."

The problem with Chinatown is Hawaii's weak economy, not a lack of signs or bright lights, Durham said.

Design restrictions for the special district were drawn up after Chinatown was put on the federal register of historic places in 1973. Businesses were limited to two signs on ground floor establishments -- typically no more than 20 square feet each -- and neon signs were forbidden on the outside of buildings.

While some buildings, like 93-year-old Wo Fat Chop Sui on the corner of Hotel and Maunakea were allowed to keep bright exterior signs built before the regulations were drawn, the idea was to keep redevelopment in the area orderly and tasteful.

But Honolulu's Chinatown, bustling by day and dark at night, needs the freedom to be itself, Gerell said.

"We want to be a real Chinatown," he said, noting the bright lights and activity that characterize Chinatowns elsewhere.

Councilman Jon Yoshimura, who introduced the bill, noted that Honolulu's Chinatown for most of its 150 years was the brightest, most active part of town.

"In Chinatown we have a historic district that does not look like it did historically," said Yoshimura. "We have regulations for a good reason but there's a time when government has to trust business and get out of the way."

One property that is poised to take advantage of the new standards is the Marks Center Garage, across from the Hawaii Theater on Pauahi Street.

The garage has wanted to install a neon border and accent lighting on the building, on Pauhi Street between Nuuanu Avenue and Bethel Street. But because the property has one foot in the Chinatown Historic District, it couldn't light up along Nuuanu Avenue.

"We're very excited and we're going to move full speed ahead," said Andrew Friedlander of Monroe & Friedlander, agent for the property.