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HONOLULU, HAWAII —Mayor Peter Carlisle today officially launched the annual Month in Chinatown celebration, a series of events to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Dragon.
“Chinatown is one of Oahu’s most vibrant, historic and exciting neighborhoods, and we welcome everyone to enjoy all the interesting and fun activities,” Carlisle said.
The mayor was joined by leaders of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Chinatown Merchants Association, United Chinese Coalition and The ARTS as Marks Garage to announce details of the upcoming celebrations.
The Year of the Dragon officially begins January 23, and will be celebrated throughout the month.
Events that are free and open to the public include:
- Chinese New Year Festival, presented by the United Chinese Coalition on Friday and Saturday, January 6 and 7, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, at Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Food vendors will provide a variety of Chinese and other Asian cuisine favorites. Exhibits and entertainment will include feng shui presentations, arts and crafts vendors, martial arts demonstrations, Chinese fortune readings and Chinese dancing and singing.
- Chinatown Open House, presented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii on Friday and Saturday, January 13 and 14, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm at Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and entertainment. Vendors will provide an assortment of Chinese ethnic favorites, including Jain (vegetarian monk’s food), gin doi (Chinese doughnut), gau (New Year pudding), and jook (rice soup). Entertainment will include ethnic dance troupes, local musical groups, and martial arts and weapons demonstrations.
- Choy Cheng, Traditional Lion Dance Blessings, presented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii on Friday, January 13, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, in Chinatown along King, Maunakea, Smith, Pauahi, and Nuuanu streets. The evening will begin at 8 South King Street with the traditional Chinese lion dance blessing – Choy Cheng. The Narcissus Queen and her court will visit Chinatown businesses and their patrons. Stores will celebrate by lighting firecrackers and offering lisee (good luck money placed in red envelopes) to the dancing lions.
- Lunar New Year Festival, presented by the Chinatown Merchants Association on Saturday, January 14, from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm in Chinatown and on Maunakea, Pauahi and Smith streets. This street fair will have four main stages with entertainment throughout the day and into the night. Vendors will be plentiful.
- Night in Chinatown Parade, presented by the Chinatown Merchants Association on Saturday, January 14, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm along Hotel Street from Richards Street through the heart of Chinatown. The parade will include more than 80 marching units, including the Narcissus Queen and her court, cultural organizations, kung fu martial artists, lion and dragon dance associations, followed by a 150-foot dragon.
- Chinese New Year Festival, presented by the United Chinese Coalition on Friday and Saturday, January 20 and 21, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm at Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Food vendors will provide a variety of Chinese and other Asian cuisine favorites. Exhibits and entertainment will include feng shui presentations, arts and crafts vendors, martial arts demonstrations, Chinese fortune readings and Chinese dancing and singing.
For more information, go to www.ChinatownHI.com