Celebrating Chinese New Year in Hawaii

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

25 Jan 2008 08:15 PM

Maybe it's because I was born in Hawaii. Or, perhaps, it's because I was born in the Year of the Rat. Either way I can't think of any place else I would rather celebrate Chinese New Year than in Honolulu.

The Year of the Rat doesn't officially start until February 7th, but the party is already underway in Honolulu's Chinatown. The "Month in Chinatown" cultural celebration kicked off tonight.

Take a look at all of the FREE events open to the public and then click on the links I've provided below to read more about the place where tourists and locals go to be immersed in the Chinese culture.

January 25-26: Chinese New Year Festival at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Party with thousands of others and enjoy food vendors, cultural exhibits and entertainment, martial arts and other demonstrations.

January 27th: Chinese New Year Festival at Pearl City High School Auditorium, with top performers visiting from China.

February 1st: 59th Annual Narcissus Festival in Chinatown, with the Narcissus court and lion dances. The festival's parade begins on King St. and ends with a firecracker display. The cultural plaza will also feature food vendors, craft booths and live entertainment.

February 1st: The ARTS at Marks Garage presents "Chinatown, HI," featuring native artwork and artifacts. The monthly "First Friday" gallery event and Chinese New Year will combine with street celebrations and open houses between River and Bethel streets, and Beretania and King streets.

February 1-2: Chinatown Open House at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Food vendors, entertainment, ethnic dance troupes, music, martial arts and weapons demonstrations will be featured at this two day party, which is free to the public.

February 2nd: Night in Chinatown Festival and Parade. The parade, featuring acrobats and martial artists, begins at 4 p.m. and runs along Hotel Street, from Richards to River streets. Festivities continue on Maunakea and Hotel streets with live entertainment and concessions.

February 9th: Market City Shopping Center celebrates the Year of the Rat with firecrackers, lion dances and a fortune-cookie giveaway. Festivities take place in the back parking lot facing Kaimuki High School.

February 10th: Aloha Tower Marketplace kicks off its Year of the Rat celebration with a traditional lion dance followed by a firecracker display. Then, in the Center Atrium, the dancers will give a modern acrobatic performance with the lion jumping from poles.

February 16th: Chinese New Year Celebration at the Ward Warehouse Amphitheatre in downtown Honolulu. This event features free kids activities, a lion dance and appearance of the Narcissus Queen contestants. There will also be traditional Chinese foods such as jai, din jui and dim sum; and T-shirts for sale.

Related Articles:

Visiting Honolulu's Chinatown

Chinese Tea Cookies

Seasonal Travel--Where To Celebrate Chinese New Year

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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