Chinatown in Hawaii: shop, stroll, eat and investigate

I love Honolulu’s Chinatown.  It’s an individual thing and I’m still in tourist mode.  But I never get bored visiting this area, established in the 1800 by Chinese laborers who came to Hawaii to pick sugarcane.   While I’ve read that this small shopping area can come off to the ‘uninitiated’ as a bit gritty, and granted it does lack public restrooms and street parking can be a nightmare,  it makes up for that in  genuineness of shops, restaurants and services.  

For a visitor or a Hawaii Honeymoon couple who has had a few days in Waikiki’s elite shopping strip, a trip on the bus for a morning of exploration and authentic lunch could be entertaining. There is just enough authenticity from the ‘old’ days to make this a real working retail area. It’s known for fresh local produce and seafood markets where you can get the best prices on the island. This is a fact!  I have no qualms buying any of the fresh products and recently got very nice shrimp for $5/lb.  What I enjoy the most is the variety of exotic food items found on the streets and tucked inside long, narrow, sometimes darkish stores.   Many of the shopkeepers speak the language of their native country, which never stops a transaction and in many of the mercantile stores , you can still do some friendly haggling, in a combination of languages.  

Entrance to a market full of services:  feng shui classes, haircuts and more!

Many of the stores are full of the typical knickknacks from Pacific Rim origin. But me, I find browsing through this entertaining.  And because I like giving unique gifts, I usually find something fun every time I shop there.  

But just as much, I find the services there to be a viable option to upscale counterparts in tourist areas.  I’ve gotten several hair cuts in a tiny shop by a stylist who speaks very little English, and paid a bargain price for a good cut. Same can be true for pedicures, manicures, and massages. Chinatown is a jumble of interesting things to see and do and worth a short afternoon stroll.

Get freshly strung lei at a great value, trinkets, charms,  & umbrellas 

Also situated around are very good local art galleries, extremely popular night clubs, and restaurants/bars of all cuisines.  Chinatown comes to life late at night which is a whole post for another time .  

Produce stands line the streets.  Fresh baby octopus is available, as are exotic fruits.

Posted by Katherine Finch.  Follow me on Twitter @Kfinches

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Hawaii Shopping Tips,Hawaiiana,Oahu

January 10th, 2011