Chinatown boasts extended celebration
With thunderous drumming and the clanging of cymbals, a lion dance at City Hall yesterday heralded the "Month in Chinatown" cultural celebration, which gets rolling on Friday and will mark the Chinese New Year.
"Tell people and Honolulu visitors from around the world that if you're looking for a Chinese New Year celebration that is spectacular, that is magnificent, you need look no further than Honolulu," Mayor Mufi Hannemann said.
He spoke at Honolulu Hale Courtyard, where leaders of Chinese cultural and business groups gathered to publicize the event, which is organized by the city and private partners. Ann Chung, director of economic development for the mayor, said the coordinated celebration got its start with a summit in Chinatown in 2006.
"There were lots of different Chinese groups all doing their own events but not really talking to each other," she said. "This is the fruition of what the mayor wanted, because everyone's coming together."
Here is the lineup of activities leading up to Chinese New Year on Feb. 7:
Jan. 18, 19, 25 and 26: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
» Chinese New Year Festival at Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Food vendors, exhibits and entertainment, martial arts and other demonstrations. Free.
Jan. 27: 3 p.m.
» Chinese New Year Festival at Pearl City High School Auditorium, with top performers visiting from China. For tickets ($15 and $10), call 224-1220. Proceeds will go to Palolo Chinese Home.
Feb. 1: 6 to 10 p.m.
» 59th Annual Narcissus Festival in Chinatown. Narcissus court and lion dances, starting at 42 N. King St. Chinatown businesses will celebrate with firecrackers, and the Chinatown Cultural Plaza will have food vendors, craft booths and entertainment. Free.
Feb. 1: 5 to 9 p.m.
» The ARTS at Marks Garage presents "Chinatown, HI," featuring artwork and artifacts. The Arts District will combine "First Friday" and Chinese New Year with street celebrations and open houses between River and Bethel streets, and Beretania and King streets. Free.
Feb. 1, 2: 5 to 11 p.m., Feb. 2: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
» Chinatown Open House at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Food vendors, entertainment, ethnic dance troupes, music, martial arts and weapons demonstrations. Free.
Feb. 2: 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
» Night in Chinatown Festival and Parade. The parade, featuring acrobats and kung fu martial artists, begins at 4 p.m. and runs along Hotel Street, from Richards to River streets. Festivities continue on Maunakea and Hotel streets with entertainment and concessions.
