Each of these ten ideas for improving and rejuvenating Honolulu's historic Chinatown
district won $4000 in a July 2006 "Chinatown Honolulu Bright Ideas" contest
organized by the City and County of Honolulu.
The Chinatown Honolulu Bright Ideas program was created by Mayor Mufi Hannemann,
the Ford Foundation, and the Hawaii Arts Alliance. The Ford Foundation contributed
$20,000 and five local banks matched those funds: American Savings Bank, Bank of
Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, First Hawaiian Bank and Hawaii National Bank.
Movie Night at Aala Park
Have an Asian ethnic movie night similar to Waikiki's "Sunset on the Beach" several
times during the year that will include booths featuring asian food and products.
Encourage Asian cultural groups to participate and showcase Asian start-up companies.
The award for this bright idea went to Kelfred Chang.
Mural Art for Chinatown
Beautify and improve Chinatown by using blank walls as canvasses to promote art,
education, history, culture and social justice, encouraging both locals and visitors
to tour the area. The award for this bright idea went to Helene Bron.
Arts and Crafts Fairs in Chinatown
Organize arts and crafts fairs in Chinatown to capitalize on increasing tourism and c
ruise ship passengers at the Aloha Tower and to attract residents to shop from
local vendors and tour the Chinatown area. The award for this bright idea went
to Hui-Fang Bauer.
Expand the Weekly "Hawaii Chinese News"
Provide internships for interested high school and college students to prepare news
stores and features on individuals and businesses in Chinatown's residential and
merchant communitys for this bilingual, Chinatown-based publication that also reaches
older ethnic Chinese. The award for this bright idea went to Elroy Chun.
Chinatown Night Market
To create an evening activity to curtail undesirable activity in the area and
revitalize the identity of Chinatown through a night market at Smith-Beretania
Neighborhood Park during the monthly Honolulu First Friday Event, to bridge the
Honolulu Arts and Cultural Districts with Chinatown. The award for this bright
idea went to Zheng Qirong of the Chinese Culinary Arts Society.
Chinatown Cultural Showcase
Have a professional producer work with Chinatown residents to showcase their talents
and create a multicultural variety show to celebrate the cultures and traditions
that coexist in Chinatown. The award for this bright idea went to Elaine Evans of
the Hawaii Theatre Center.
Historic Preservation Plaques
Install museum-quality plaques on the corners of buildings, to describe their
historical or cultural significance to Chinatown. The plaques would encourage
self-guided and commercial cultural tours of Chinatown. The award for this bright
idea went to JoDee Hunt
Chinatown Walking Tour of 2036
Make an in-depth analysis and description of major Chinatown landmarks, not as they
exist now but as they would (or would not) exist in several distinct alternative
futures and create a Chinatown walking tour of 2036. The award for this bright idea
went to Jake Dunagan and staff of the Hawaii Research Center for Future Studies at
the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Nuuanu Stream Pedestrian Mall
Create a pedestrian bridge connecting Pauahi Street to Aala Park, beautifying Nuuanu
Stream into a major tourist and resident attraction with its natural sites, historical
buildings, gardens, shops and restaurants in the area. The award for this bright idea
went to Val Yanagihara.
Parking Improvements
Promote easy-access, convenient, and affordable parking as an integral part of the
Chinatown neighborhood by implementing meters that accept both coin and electronic
card readers. Use other cities as models to explore other parking systems, such as
advanced parking metetes pre-paid parking cards, and cellular phone paid parking.
The award for this bright idea went to Kim Coffee-Isaak.
About the Chinatown District of Honolulu
City of Honolulu Visitor's Guidee
Oahu Island Travel Guide
Hawaii for Visitors
