MAYOR CALDWELL WELCOMES ALL TO ‘MONTH IN CHINATOWN’

(Thurs., Jan. 24, 2013)—Mayor Kirk Caldwell invites everyone to enjoy the annual Month in Chinatown celebration which begins this weekend, welcoming the Year of the Snake with an exciting series of events and activities.

“Chinatown is one of Honolulu’s most lively and interesting neighborhoods, and this a great time of the year for everyone to enjoy all that it has to offer,” Caldwell said.

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 25 and 26, and February 8 and 9, 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.

·       63rd Annual Narcissus Festival, Choy Cheng -- Traditional Lion Dance Blessings, and Chinatown Open House, presented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii on Friday, February 1, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, 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.

·       Chinatown New Year Celebration, presented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii on Friday and Saturday, February 1 and 2, 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 Jai (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.

·       Night in Chinatown Street Festival, presented by the Chinatown Merchants Association on Saturday, February 2, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm at Maunakea, Smith and Pauahi streets. This street fair will have plenty of vendors and four main stages with entertainment throughout the day and into the night.

·       Night in Chinatown Parade, presented by the Chinatown Merchants Association on Saturday, February 2, 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.

Tickets are also available for the Narcissus Coronation Ball, presented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii on Saturday, January 26, from 5 pm to 10 pm at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. For ticket information, call 533-3181.

The lunar new year officially begins February 10. For more information on Month in Chinatown events, go to www.chinatownhi.com .

Commemorative “Year of the Snake” buttons will be available at various locations in Chinatown.

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Media Contact: Alenka Remec, Mayor’s Office, 768-4249.