Curious about China Town in Honolulu (Hilo: restaurants, price, shop)
OahuIncludes Honolulu
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I read the posts about racism and Hawaii, but honestly, I didn't see anything directly related to China Town. I have heard that China Town is worse than the rest of Honolulu, and that people who aren't local, aren't welcome. I would love to hear this is not true, as I hope to visit China Town when I go to Hawaii.
I also heard that China Town was diverse in its Asian cultures. I was especially hoping this was true, as I am currently an Asian studies major, learning Japanese. I am excited at the thought that I might get to communicate with a native speaker (besides my teacher).
I'll be in Hawaii for 15 days, during the month of May. If anyone has any good suggestions where I could go, please let me know!
China town is a nice place to visit in downtown Honolulu. There is a little bit of a quiet old world feel down there. I have been in alot more busy China Towns in the U.S. where there is alot of commerce, food, music and activity. China town in Honolulu seems to be a tight knit community that seems not so interested in selling paper dragons, fireworks, cheap shoes, ect. I love the rustic feel of downtown China Town in Honolulu, it may be quiet but take a deep breath and look around, there is alot to see and take in.
I also heard that China Town was diverse in its Asian cultures. I was especially hoping this was true, as I am currently an Asian studies major, learning Japanese. I am excited at the thought that I might get to communicate with a native speaker (besides my teacher).
I think you might have more luck if you visited or called the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.
I read the posts about racism and Hawaii, but honestly, I didn't see anything directly related to China Town. I have heard that China Town is worse than the rest of Honolulu, and that people who aren't local, aren't welcome. I would love to hear this is not true, as I hope to visit China Town when I go to Hawaii.
I also heard that China Town was diverse in its Asian cultures. I was especially hoping this was true, as I am currently an Asian studies major, learning Japanese. I am excited at the thought that I might get to communicate with a native speaker (besides my teacher).
I'll be in Hawaii for 15 days, during the month of May. If anyone has any good suggestions where I could go, please let me know!
Thank you.
I'm not a Hawaiian local or resident. But visited Honolulu a few times up to a month at a time.
I'm white/haole...blond hair even, etc. Anyways, I loved Chinatown Honolulu. Never felt any bad vibes anywhere there.
Actually, I didn't get the impression it was all that 'local' either, as you mentioned that they wouldn't like non-locals. There was a stronger Chinese/Vietnamese element, and with the language as well.
I think they half expect that a lot of people will be in downtown Honolulu and Chinatown...people of all races, and such...so seeing non-chinese or non-vietnamese is pretty much the norm.
However, your post you also mentioned wanting to speak Japanese in Chinatown. Not very likely, as I don't recall ever seeing Japanese tourists, Japanese shopowners, or anything else Japanese. Mostly Chinese, Vietnamese, and I wouldn't surprised if maybe some Thai or something like that, etc.
If you want to meet Japanese...the Japanese tourists are all over the place at Ala Moana Mall and Waikiki Beach. A lot of the tourist businesses in and around Waikiki also target and focus with Japanese tourists. So, you'll be much better off focusing on that area for Japanese in particular than Chinatown.
Also, there are some amazing Japanese Buddhist 'zen soto' or something...can't remember the name...but they look like fusion of catholic church element/styles but with teaching Japanese language, culture, etc. in these Buddhist temples...saw them throughout Oahu and Hilo on the Big Island as well for that matter.
I love Chinatown, and I'm not a local. I go to yoga several times a week in Chinatown, frequent the restaurants, and love to get coffee and just stroll around. I'm super excited that I finally am free on a First Friday and can head down for the art galleries, etc.
Chinatown gets a bad rap, but it's a pretty cool place I think!
Chinatown is a lot of fun, everyone is welcome. It is a great place to get cheap produce, try different foods, and hang out with friends. It is a little sketchy at night, not St. Louis, MO or Camden, NJ kinda sketchy by any means... but I didn't like my wife going down there by herself after the sun went down. Especially down by River St.
I go to eat at Chinatown all the time. The food is amazing and its at a great price. Me and friends joke about how we have to pay for water and tea that all the other Asians in the restaurant get for free. We call it the Haole Tax. You don't complain though when you realize your eating some of the best Asian food in America.
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China Town
