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Honolulu's Chinatown

Chinatown is a bustling area on the western side of Honolulu’s financial district in  Downtown Honolulu . 

Located in the vicinity of North Beretania and Nu’uanu Streets and extending towards Honolulu Harbor, it is known for its Chinese American community.  The area, which is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States, is filled with fabulous restaurants and eateries, ranging from incredible Chinese Dim Sum, to Vietnamese, Malaysian and an array of international fare.   Fresh local produce vendors, herbal and tea shops, as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, can be found in this area. 

The open-air Oahu Market is a central part of Chinatown.  The Maunakea, Oahu and Aloha marketplaces boast exotic fruits, seafood and all kinds of Chinese vegetables.  Shrines and temples abound and will transport you back in time to historic Japan and China.  The area became populated with people of Chinese descent as a result of laborers coming from China to work on Hawaii’s sugar plantations in the 19th century.  After their contracts expired, many of them moved to the area that is now called Chinatown and became merchants.  Many buildings date from 1901 due to two devastating fires in 1886 and 1900 that destroyed many of the original buildings.  The area was enduring a terrible plague and the second fire was deliberately lit with the goal of burning buildings that had housed people with the disease.  Unfortunately that fire blazed out of control and devoured almost all of Chinatown.  Still, the area was rebuilt again, although eventually large parts of it fell into a state of disrepair.  Crime became a serious problem.  Many areas are still considered unsafe after dark.

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The Oahu Marketplace

However – life has been brought back to the area in recent years, and Chinatown is now also known for its eclectic arts scene.  On the eastern edge of Chinatown you will find the Hawaii Theatre, which was restored and re-opened in 1996 for shows and live music. The area surrounding the theatre is the Honolulu Arts District, which is situated around Nu’uanu Avenue.  The first Friday of each month is an excellent time to visit the Arts District, with the Chinatown Art Walk along Nu’uanu and Bethel Street.  The walk will reveal galleries boasting substantial collections of original paintings as well as affordable prints.  Contemporary Hawaiian art features a lot in the galleries.  Often the artists themselves are present on these vibrant evenings, and they may provide open houses with special exhibits, as well as free live entertainment and refreshments.  The nearby restaurants and bars also become lively on the Art Walk evenings, as the event turns the streets into one huge party.  Some of Oahu’s best bars and nightlife spots can be discovered in this area.

Several walking tours of Chinatown are available, including one presented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.  This is a 2.5 hour tour offered every Tuesday, which includes stops at gift shops, temples and restaurants.  The CCCH can be contacted on (808) 533 3181 ansd is located at 8 South King St, Honolulu, 96813.

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Chinatown, Honolulu

A Walk Through Chinatown Honolulu

• Post author By Aloha Hawaii
• Post date November 1, 2009

Honolulu’s Chinatown is more than a wondrous maze of shops, galleries, and eateries. It’s also a cultural treasure that overcame numerous obstacles—including two devastating fires—to enjoy a renaissance of sorts in recent years. Above all, Chinatown represents a colorful and unique slice of local history that makes a tour of its surroundings worthwhile.

Note: Chinatown is part of our self guided  Honolulu walking tour

Historians trace the arrival of the first Chinese in Hawaii to 1789. It wasn’t until the 1850s, however, when the Chinese began arriving in large numbers to work on the sugar plantations. In time, they formed a community of family-run shops where they could sell their wares. The name “Chinatown” was first used around 1870.

In 1886, disaster struck. A fire raged out of control for three days and destroyed most of Chinatown—eight blocks in all. An estimated 7,000 Chinese lost their homes. Just 13 years later, the Board of Health announced the presence of the Bubonic Plague in the city, following an autopsy of the first victim. Chinatown, with its 7,000 residents, was placed under quarantine. However, by the end of 1899, more people had died from the disease, and the Board decided to use fire as a way to control the health hazard. The goal was to burn to the ground any building in which someone contracted the plague.

On January 20, 1900, the Honolulu Fire Department started a fire, intending to burn the wooden buildings on the mauka (inland) side of Beretania Street between Nuuanu Avenue and Smith Street. All went while for the first hour, but the wind suddenly shifted, and the fire began leaping from building to building, eventually devouring 38 acres—nearly all of Chinatown. Four thousand residents were left homeless.

Again, Chinatown was rebuilt. But much of the area eventually fell into a state of neglect and disrepair. Crime became a serious problem. (Even today, certain areas of Chinatown aren’t considered safe at night.) It wasn’t until local merchants injected new life into the area that Chinatown was revitalized. The recent restoration of the historic Hawaii Theatre was a tremendous help in bringing life back to the area.

Today, several walking tours of Chinatown are offered, including a two-and-a-half-hour stroll presented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. Offered every Tuesday, the CCCH tour includes stops at numerous eateries, gift shops, temples and more.

• Tags destinations , free activities , guidebook , honolulu , oahu , sightseeing , things to do , walking

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Historic Downtown Honolulu Map Available for Self-Guided Tours

Historic Hawaii Foundation has developed a color keepsake map documenting twenty-five historic sites along a five-kilometer route in historic Downtown Honolulu. The self-guided walking tour includes such historic sites as ‘Iolani Palace, Mission Houses, St. Andrews Cathedral and the Hawaii State Art Museum.

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The Top 10 Things To Do and See in Chinatown, Honolulu

Chinese immigrants first landed on the shores of Hawaii in 1788 to work on the sugar plantations. The years passed and more Chinese workers arrived, many of them choosing to stay and open their own enterprises – this is how Honolulu’s Chinatown was born. Today, it covers 15 blocks and is buzzing with action, while still acting as an important hub for many Koreans, Hawaiians, Filipinos , Japanese , Chinese and Vietnamese. Here, we take a look at the top 10 things to do in Honolulu’s Chinatown.

Check out the markets.

A trip to Chinatown is not complete without checking out its marketplaces. Head to Oahu Market for a tantalizing display of tropical fruits, such as watermelons, pineapples and many others. Then head over to the Yat Tung Chow Noodle Factory, where they make noodles of nine different sizes, from super thin strands to thick udon noodles. Fans of Filipino, Korean, Chinese and Thai cuisines will love the food court at nearby Maunakea Marketplace.

Oahu Market, 145 N King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA , +1 808 841 6924

Maunakea Marketplace, 1120 Maunakea Street #200, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA , +1 808 524 3409

1. Hawaii Theatre Center

Cinema, Theater, Theatre

Take a walking tour

The Hawaii Heritage Center sponsors a walking tour of Chinatown , which stops at several spots in the area, including historic buildings that have been standing for 100 years or more. The guided tour features multimedia exhibits with interviews, interesting facts and photos showing the neighborhood’s past. Learn about how the thriving sugar cane industry attracted Chinese immigrants to Hawaii in the 19th century – many of them stayed and settled permanently near the harbor, creating Honolulu’s Chinatown as it is today.

Chinatown art galleries

The arts are an integral part of Hawaiian culture and have been since ancient times. Nuuanu Avenue and Bethel Street in Chinatown are two of the best spots in Honolulu to admire artwork of all kinds. Artist Pegge Hopper shares her original work in a gallery that has been open since 1983. The Ramsay Museum, located in the historic Tam Sing Building, is known for fine pen and intricate Indian ink work that is best admired with a magnifying glass. There are plenty of other unique galleries just waiting to be discovered, too!

2. Chinatown Cultural Plaza

Bakery, American

3. Ong King Art Center

Bar, American

4. Hawaiian Chinese Multicultural Museum & Archives, Honolulu

Kuan yin temple.

The oldest Buddhist temple on the Hawaiian islands, Kuan Yin Temple remains an important place of worship. It is well-known for its green roof made of ceramic tiles. During festivals, Buddhists come here to burn incense and receive blessings. The temple’s name honors Kuan Yin, who chose to remain on earth to do good even after achieving enlightenment. Various depictions of her can be found all over the Aloha State.

5. Foster Botanical Gardens

Park, Botanical Garden

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Walking Tour 1 in Oahu

Getting There : From Waikiki, take TheBus no. 2 or 20 toward downtown; get off on North Hotel Street (after Maunakea St.). If you're driving, take Ala Moana Boulevard and turn right on Smith Street; make a left on Beretania Street and a left again at Maunakea. The city parking garage (50¢ per hr.) is on the Ewa (west) side of Maunakea Street, between North Hotel and North King streets.

Start & Finish : North Hotel and Maunakea streets.

Time : 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much time you spend browsing.

Bets Time : Daylight hours.

Chinese laborers from Guangdong Province first came to work on Hawaii's sugar and pineapple plantations in the 1850s. They quickly figured out that they would never get rich working in the fields; once their contracts were up, a few of the ambitious started small shops and restaurants in the area around River Street.

Chinatown was twice devastated by fire, once in 1886 and again in 1900. The second fire still intrigues historians. In December 1899, bubonic plague broke out in the area, and the Board of Health immediately quarantined its 7,000 Chinese and Japanese residents. But the plague continued to spread. On January 20, 1900, the board decided to burn down plague-infected homes, starting at the corner of Beretania Street and Nuuanu Avenue. But the fire department wasn't quite ready; a sudden wind quickly spread the flames from one wooden building to another in the densely built area, and soon Chinatown's entire 40 acres were leveled. Many historians believe that the "out-of-control" fire may have been purposely set to drive the Chinese merchants -- who were becoming economically powerful and controlled prime real estate -- out of Honolulu. If this was indeed the case, it didn't work: The determined merchants built a new Chinatown on the same spot.

Chinatown reached its peak in the 1930s. In the days before air travel, visitors arrived here by cruise ship. Just a block up the street was the pier where they disembarked -- and they often headed straight for the shops and restaurants of Chinatown, which mainlanders considered an exotic treat. In the 1940s, military personnel on leave flocked here looking for different kinds of exotic treats -- in the form of pool halls, tattoo joints, and brothels.

Today, Chinatown is again rising from the ashes. After deteriorating over the years into a tawdry district of seedy bars, drug dealing, and homeless squatters, the neighborhood has undergone extensive urban renewal. Just enough sleaze still flourishes on the fringes (a few peep shows and a couple of topless bars) to keep it from being a theme park-style tourist attraction, but Chinatown is poised to relive its glory days.

It's not exactly a microcosm of China, however. What you'll find is a mix of Asian cultures, all packed into a small area where tangy spices rule the cuisine, open-air markets have kept out the minimalls, and the way to good health is through acupuncture and herbalists. The jumble of streets comes alive every day with bustling residents and visitors from all over the world; a cacophony of sounds, from the high-pitched bleating of vendors in the market to the lyrical dialects of the retired men "talking story" over a game of mah-jongg; and brilliant reds, blues, and greens trimming buildings and goods everywhere you look. No trip to Honolulu is complete without a visit to this exotic, historic district.

Start your walk on the Ewa (west) side of Maunakea Street at:

1. Hotel Street

During World War II, Hotel Street was synonymous with good times. Pool halls and beer parlors lined the blocks, and prostitutes were plentiful. Nowadays, the more nefarious establishments have been replaced with small shops, from art galleries to specialty boutiques, and urban professionals and recent immigrants look for bargains where the sailors once roamed.

Once you're done wandering through the shops, head to the intersection with Smith Street. On the Diamond Head (east) side of Smith, you'll notice stones in the sidewalk; they were taken from the sandalwood ships, which came to Hawaii empty of cargo except for these stones, which were used as ballast on the trip over. The stones were removed and the ships' hulls were filled with sandalwood for the return to the mainland.

From Hotel Street, turn left on Maunakea and proceed to the corner of King Street to the:

2. Bank of Hawaii

This unusual-looking bank is not the conservative edifice you'd expect -- it's guarded by two fire-breathing dragon statues.

Turn right onto King Street, where you'll pass the shops of various Chinese herbalists. Stop at 150 N. King St., where you'll find the:

3. Yat Tung Chow Noodle Factory

The delicious, delicate noodles that star in numerous Asian dishes are made here, ranging from threadlike noodles (literally no thicker than embroidery thread) to fat udon noodles. Tours of the factory are not offered, but you can look through the window, past the white cloud of flour that hangs in the air, and watch as dough is fed into rollers at one end of the noodle machines; perfectly cut noodles emerge at the other end.

Proceed to 162 N. King St., to the:

4. Viet Hoa Chinese Herb Shop

At this location, Chinese herbalists act as both doctors and dispensers of herbs. Patients come in and tell the herbalist what ails them; the herbalist then decides which of the myriad herbs to mix together. Usually, there's a wall of tiny drawers labeled in Chinese characters; the herbalist quickly pulls from the drawers various objects that range from dried flowers and ground-up roots to such exotics as mashed antelope antler. The patient then takes the concoction home to brew into a strong tea.

Cross to the south side of King Street, where, just west of Kekaulike Street, you'll come to the most visited part of Chinatown, the open-air market known as:

5. Oahu Market Place

Those interested in Asian cooking will find all the necessary ingredients here, including pig's heads, poultry (some still squawking), fresh octopi, salted jellyfish, pungent fish sauce, fresh herbs, and thousand-year-old eggs. The friendly vendors are happy to explain their wares and give instructions on how to prepare these exotic treats. The market, which has been at this spot since 1904, is divided into meats, poultry, fish, vegetables, and fruits. Past the open market are several grocery stores with fresh produce on display on the sidewalk. You're bound to spot some varieties here that you're not used to seeing at your local supermarket.

Follow King Street down to River Street and turn right toward the mountains. A range of inexpensive restaurants lines River Street from King to Beretania. You can get the best Vietnamese and Filipino food in town in these blocks, but go early -- lines for lunch start at 11:15am. Beyond Beretania Street is the:

6. River Street Pedestrian Mall

Here, River Street ends and the pedestrian mall begins with the statue of Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen. The wide mall, which borders the Nuuanu Stream, is lined with shade trees, park benches, and tables where seniors gather to play mah-jongg and checkers. Plenty of takeout restaurants are nearby if you'd like to eat lunch outdoors. If you're up early (5:30am in summer and 6am in winter), you'll see senior citizens practicing tai chi.

Along the River Street Mall, extending nearly a block over to Maunakea Street, is the:

7. Chinatown Cultural Plaza

This modern complex is filled with shops featuring everything from tailors to calligraphers (most somewhat more expensive than their street-side counterparts), as well as numerous restaurants -- a great idea, but in reality, people seem to prefer wandering Chinatown's crowded streets to venturing into a modern mall. A couple of interesting shops here specialize in Asian magazines; there's also a small post office tucked away in a corner of the plaza, for those who want to mail cards home with the "Chinatown" postmark. The best feature of the plaza is the Moongate Stage in the center, the site of many cultural presentations, especially around the Chinese New Year.

Continue up the River Street Mall and cross the Nuuanu Stream via the bridge at Kukui Street, which will bring you to the:

8. Izumo Taisha Mission Cultural Hall

This small, wooden Shinto shrine, built in 1923, houses a male deity (look for the X-shaped crosses on the top). Members of the faith ring the bell out front as an act of purification when they come to pray. Inside the temple is a 100-pound sack of rice, symbolizing good health. During World War II, the shrine was confiscated by the city of Honolulu and wasn't returned to the congregation until 1962.

If temples interest you, walk a block toward the mountains to Vineyard Boulevard; cross back over Nuuanu Stream, past the entrance of Foster Botanical Gardens, to:

9. Kuan Yin Temple

This Buddhist temple, painted in a brilliant red with a green ceramic-tiled roof, is dedicated to Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, the goddess of mercy, whose statue towers in the prayer hall. The aroma of burning incense is your clue that the temple is still a house of worship, not an exhibit, so enter with respect and leave your shoes outside. You may see people burning paper "money" for prosperity and good luck, or leaving flowers and fruits at the altar (gifts to the goddess). A common offering is the pomelo, a grapefruitlike fruit that's a fertility symbol as well as a gift, indicating a request for the blessing of children.

Continue down Vineyard and then turn right (toward the ocean) on:

10. Maunakea Street

In the several-square-block area between Beretania and King streets are numerous lei shops (with lei-makers working away right on the premises). The air is heavy with the aroma of flowers being woven into beautiful treasures. Not only is this the best place in all of Hawaii to get a deal on leis, but the size, color, and design of the leis made here are exceptional -- and the finest might go for as little as $3.50. Wander through the shops before you decide which lei you want.

11. Take a Break

If you have a sweet tooth, stop in at Shung Chong Yuein , 1027 Maunakea St. (near Hotel St.), for delicious Asian pastries such as moon cakes and almond cookies, all at very reasonable prices. The shop also has a wide selection of dried and sugared candies (such as ginger, pineapple, and lotus root) that you can eat as you stroll or give as an exotic gift to friends back home.

Turn left on Hotel Street and walk in the Diamond Head (east) direction to:

12. Nuuanu Avenue

You may notice that the sidewalks on Nuuanu are made of granite blocks; they came from the ballasts of ships that brought tea from China to Hawaii in the 1800s.

Between Hotel and Pauahi streets is the Pegge Hopper Gallery , 1164 Nuuanu Ave., where you can admire Pegge's well-known paintings of beautiful Hawaiian women.

At Pauahi Street, turn right (toward Diamond Head) and walk up to Bethel Street and the:

13. Hawaii Theatre

This restored 1920 Art Deco theater is a work of art in itself. It hosts a variety of programs, from the Hawaii International Film Festival to beauty pageants.

Turn right onto Bethel and walk toward the ocean. Turn right again onto Hotel Street, which will lead you back to where you started.

Tip: Bargaining: A Way of Life in Chinatown

In Chinatown, nearly every purchase -- from chicken's feet to an 18-carat gold necklace -- is made by bargaining. It's the way of life for most Asian countries -- and part of the fun and charm of shopping in Chinatown.

The main rule of thumb when negotiating a price is respect. The customer must have respect for the merchant and understand that he's in business to make money. This respect is coupled with the understanding that the customer does not want to be taken advantage of and would like the best deal possible.

Keep in mind two rules when bargaining: cash and volume. Don't even begin haggling if you're not planning to pay cash. The second you pull out a credit card (if the merchant or vendor will even accept it), all deals are off. And remember, the more you buy, the better the deal the merchant will extend to you.

Significant savings can be realized for high-ticket items like jewelry. The price of gold in Chinatown is based on the posted price of the tael (a unit of weight, slightly more than an ounce), which is listed for 14-, 18-, and 24-carat gold, plus the value of the labor. The tael price is non-negotiable, but the cost of the labor is where the bargaining begins.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Walking Tour of Historic Honolulu

'iolani palace.

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre 

An excellent place to begin a walking tour of historic Honolulu is at the ʻIolani Palace. ʻIolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs - King Kalakaua, who built the Palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Liliʻuokalani.

The ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu is the only royal palace located in the United States.

Neglected after the overthrow of the monarchy, restoration began in the 1970s through efforts of many concerned individuals. Restoration and preservation continues, and, as a result, today's visitors to the palace can enjoy an ongoing historic restoration and learn much about Hawaiian history and culture.

Tickets for all tours are obtained at the nearby ʻIolani Barracks.

ʻIolani Palace is located in the Capitol District of downtown Honolulu at the corner of King and Richards Streets at 364 South King Street, Honolulu. There is limited metered parking on the grounds and on nearby streets.

Parking is also available at numerous lots downtown and at the Aloha Tower Marketplace . The best was to reach downtown from Waikiki is on The Bus, Oʻahu's public transportation system.

A docent-guided tour costs $27 for an adult. Children/Youth (5-12) pay $6. No children under 5 are admitted. Tours are offered every 15 minutes Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

A 60 minute self-guided, pre-recorded audio costs $20 for an adult. Children/Youth (5-12) pay $6. These tours are available on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m, and Fridays from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

'Iolani Barracks

On the northwest lawn of the ʻIolani Palace grounds sits the castle-like ʻIolani Barracks.

ʻIolani Barracks was originally built in 1870-71 on the land where the Hawaii State Capitol building now sits. It was designed to house the royal palace and royal tomb guards.

German architect Theodore Hececk designed the Barracks as well as the new Royal Mausoleum in Nuʻuanu Valley off of the Pali Highway. The building is made of coral blocks and intended to look like a medieval castle.

When constructed ʻIolani Barracks contained a kitchen, mess hall, dispensary, living quarters and prison lockup. Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, the Royal Guard was disbanded.

ʻIolani Barracks was then used for different purposes at different times, including use as headquarters for the National Guard of Hawaii , a temporary shelter for refugees of the 1899 Chinatown fire, a government office building, and even a storage facility.

When plans were completed to construct the State Capitol Building, it was decided to move the Barracks to its present location on the grounds of ʻIolani Palace. The building was dismantled block by block and reconstructed in 1965.

ʻIolani Barracks now houses The Palace Gift Shop, ticket office, video theatre, and membership office. The Palace Gift Shop is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Coronation Stand and Pavilion

The large gazebo located on the southwest lawn of the ʻIolani Palace grounds is the Coronation Stand or Coronation Pavilion. It was built for the February 12, 1883 coronation of King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani. It was moved to this location from its original site near the King Street steps of ʻIolani Palace.

The Royal Hawaiian Band regularly gives concerts near the Coronation Pavilion. It has also been used for the inauguration of the Governors of the State of Hawaii. On many afternoons you will find Hawaiian music artists performing on the grounds nearby.

King Kamehameha I Statue

Walking towards King Street from the front of ʻIolani Palace, you will see the large statue of King Kamehameha I across the street.

King David Kalākaua commissioned a statue of Kamehameha I in 1878. At the time a kahuna (priest) is said to have commented that the statue would only feel at home if it rested in the lands of Kamehameha's birth.

Thomas Gould, an American sculptor living in Italy was commissioned to do a sculpture. He used John Baker, a part Hawaiian and friend of Kalākaua, as his model. Gould was paid $10,000 and his sculpture was sent to Paris for bronzing. It was then put on a ship bound for Hawaii, but the ship sank off the Falkland Islands. It was thought that the statue was lost forever.

With money collected from insurance a new statue was commissioned and that statue arrived in Honolulu in 1883. It stands in front of Aliʻiolani Hale, the Hawaii Supreme Court Building on King Street. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Honolulu. Twice a year, on May Day and for Kamehameha Day on June 11, it is adorned with leis.

Within weeks of the arrival of the new statue, the original statue also arrived in Honolulu, having been salvaged and located in a junk yard in Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. The English captain that had found it sold it to King Kalākaua. Remembering the prophecy of the old kahuna, the original statue was send to the town of Kapaʻau, near Kamehameha's birthplace on the Big Island of Hawaii where it stands today.

Ali'iolani Hale

Sitting directly behind the statue of King Kamehameha I is a building known as Aliʻiolani Hale. Hale in Hawaiian means "house" and Aliʻiolani literally means "a chief known unto the heavens." This is a "secret" name given to King Kamehameha V at birth.

It was Kamehameha V who commissioned the construction of this building which he originally intended to be his palace. The building was completed after the death of Kamehameha V under the reign of David Kalākaua who had plans to build his own palace across the street. Kalākaua named the building Aliʻiolani Hale in honor of the late king.

Following the completion of construction in 1874, the building was used as the headquarters for the Hawaiian government and home to the Legislative Assembly and Supreme Court. It was in this building that the Provisional Government officially overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893.

Today Aliʻiolani Hale is home to Hawaii's Supreme Court and State Law Library. There is also a Judiciary History Center on the first floor.

Aliʻiolani Hale is well worth a stop. It was in one of the conference rooms of the building that several scenes from ABC's Lost was filmed such as the scene where Claire meets the prospective adoptive parents of her baby and where Michael and his wife meet with their attorneys over their divorce terms.

U.S. Post Office, Custom House, and Court House

Located to the right of Aliʻiolani Hale (as you face the building) and across Mililani Street is the U.S. Post Office/Customs House/Court House. As you may guess, the building has been used for numerous purposes since its construction was completed in 1922.

This three-story Spanish colonial revival building was initially used to house U.S. Federal Government offices and the Customs House in Hawaii. A new and larger building was built for Federal Government in the 1980's and the building was sold to the U.S. Post Office.

In 2002 the State of Hawaii reached a deal for Par Development LLC, an affiliate of Denver-based RSD Corp., to buy the building from the U.S. Postal Service for $7 million, restore it, bring the interior up to standards and then sell 120,000 square feet of the 160,000-square-foot property to the state for $32.5 million. The U.S. Postal Service then bought back the rest of the improved space for $1.

The historic building has been renamed and is now officially the King David Kalākaua Building. David Kalākaua was king from 1874 until his death in 1891 but also served as Honolulu's postmaster from 1863 until 1865.

Kawaiaha'o Church and Mission Cemetery

From the front of the King David Kalākaua Building, take a right on King Street and carefully cross busy Punchbowl Street. On the southeast corner of King and Punchbowl sits the grounds of Kawaiahaʻo Church.

As you enter the church grounds you will notice a small structure to your right surrounded by a wrought iron fence. This is the mausoleum of King William Lunalilo.

Upon the death of King Kamehameha V on December 11, 1872 there was no direct heir to the throne, so the Hawaii Legislature met to choose a new monarch. Prince William Lunalilo , a descendant of a half brother of Kamehameha I, was selected to be the new king.

Lunalilo never married and after a little over a year as king he died of consumption, leaving his estate to needy Hawaiians. There is a widely held belief that he was poisoned. Prior to his death he asked his father to bury him on the grounds of Kawaiahaʻo Church with his people rather than with the other royalty of Hawaii at the new Royal Mausoleum in Nuʻuanu.

The current church was designed by Hiram Bingham, the first missionary on Oʻahu. The church was completed in 1842 in a New England style of architecture. It is constructed of coral slabs quarried from reefs offshore of Oʻahu and carried to the site by parishioners. The interior was made from wood cut in the nearby Koʻolau Mountains. The interior was remodeled in the 1920's due to wood rot.

Kawaiahaʻo Church was dedicated in 1842. It is known as the "Mother" Protestant Church in Hawaii. Numerous members of Hawaii's royalty have worshiped in the church and the royal boxes remain at the rear of the church.

The church's name Kawaiaha'o in Hawaiian means "fresh water pool of Haʻo." Haʻo was an ancient queen of Oʻahu and it is said that on this site a spring existed in which she took ceremonial baths of purification. A reconstructed spring sits on the north side of the church.

Behind the church sits the peaceful Mission Cemetery where the remains of many of Hawaii's early missionaries, political and economic leaders are buried. The names on the gravestones are a virtual "who's who" of Hawaiian history.

Mission Houses Museum

As you exit the rear of the grounds of Kawaiahaʻo Church, cross over Kawaiahaʻo Street. The small buildings you see across the street are the Mission Houses complex and include three original structures dating back to the 1830's.

It is here where Hiram Bingham and the rest of his company including a farmer, printer, two teachers, wives and children were given land to build thatched houses for their stay in Hawaii. Years later, King Kamehameha III allowed the missionaries to build more permanent, western style houses.

The structures on the property include the Hale Laʻāu which was the home in which the first missionary Hiram Bingham, surgeon and later physician Dr. Gerrit Judd, printer Elisha Loomis and their families all lived. Gerrit Judd became a trusted adviser and finance minister to King Kamehameha III.

The Ka Hale Paʻi was the printing house where Americans and Hawaiians created the Hawaiian alphabet in order to produce books and other printed items. The Ka Hale Kamalani or the Chamberlain House was the home of the Chamberlain family and was also used as a storehouse for mission goods.

The newer buildings on the site include a museum, auditorium and gift shop. The Mission Houses are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours of the houses and print shop are offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. General admission is $10, Hawaii residents, members of the military, and senior citizens pay $8, students (6 years - college) pay $6.

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AIA ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR OF CHINATOWN

May 20, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am hst.

AIA Honolulu is excited to introduce our new historic architectural tour of Honoluluʻs Chinatown.

The tour will begin at AIA Honolulu's Center for Architecture. We ask that each guest exercise proper safely precautions including sanitization and social distancing while inside our center (face-masks are optional). Please do not attend if you are experiencing any illness symptoms.

Our AIA architectural walking tours are a great way to explore historic downtown Honolulu through the eyes of an architect or architectural historian.

Each tour provides architectural and historical insights about the fascinating buildings in Honolulu’s Chinatown.

Tour Groups: Tour groups must be between 4–14 people to take place. Advanced reservations are required.

If less than 4 people signs up the tour will be cancelled and full refund will be given to anyone already signed up.

Tour Guide: AIA Honolulu Architect or Architectural Historian

Tour Cost: $20.00/ person. Register and pay online. Needs to be paid in advance.

Parking: Parking at the Oceanit Building is currently closed during weekends. View more parking information . Some street parking is available.

Note: Tour availability is on a first come, first served basis and may close earlier than the registration deadline.

Questions: Email AIA Honolulu or call at (808) 628-7243.

Refund Policy: Refunds for AIA Honolulu events will only be given as a result of event cancellation made by the Chapter. Substitutions are welcome for your pre-paid spot.

Registration is now closed.

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