Our one day adventure in Honolulu last week included a brief visit to Chinatown, since the restaurant where we had planned to eat lunch, Soul de Cuba, was nearby. See my previous entry.
Honolulu's Chinatown is a bustling little area with a historial designation smack-dab on the edge of downtown Honolulu.
It is an exciting mixture of businesses, gift and art shops, bead and gem stores, eateries, restaurants, bars, food and flower vendors, grocery stores and markets loaded with fresh produce, meat and fish markets and exotic food products. The smells and sights and looking at many a building's facade will make you think you have been transported to a busy little street in any Asian country. All within a 15 block -25 acre area!
The Bank of Hawaii makes a statement in this neighborhood with it's red columns and Asian architectural details.
It takes time to walk the several neighborhoods in Chinatown, and we usually love to stroll and take our time....unfortunately, on this trip we only had a couple of hours to spend there as we were flying back to the Big Island that afternoon and needed to make it to the airport in time to beat the 'after work' traffic.
A tiny little 'pagoda' style pergola graces the roof of this business building on Mauna Kea Street.
A vendor on the sidewalk had a display of narcissus. The art of carving narcissus bulbs is an ancient and honored Chinese tradition. Along with the Chinese New Year's festivities in February, there will probably be some narcissus bulb carving competitions and exhibits.
The colorful Mauna Kea building facade is just the entrance to a warren of many little shops, eateries and businesses built around a center courtyard.
The Asian Cultural Center on Beretania Street also houses many shops, jewelry stores, travel agents and restaurants, including a vegetarian and a dim-sum place! A stage in the courtyard is the setting for many cultural events which are held throughout the year.
As we were waiting for our cab to take us back to the airport, someone from one of the restaurants in the area came out with a pail of watery leftover rice and dumped it into the street.... in less than a minute, every pigeon, dove and bird in the area got the message that dinner was served and flew in for the banquet!
As I was working with the photos I realized I didn't take any pictures of any of the food markets! I will make it a priority project for our next trip to Honolulu's Chinatown.
I'll send you my private e-mail, Stephen....Will love seeing the pirctures....wish I could visit Honolulu to see this year's exhibit!
Posted by: Sonia | February 10, 2009 at 07:15 AM
Sonia,
The narcissus exhibition show was exciting with the first ox bulb carving and many of the students show their carved plant flowering. Could you tell me how I could send you my pictures of year bulb carving and the ox. and you can feature it on this sight. Mahalo for placing my story.
Posted by: Stephen Fong | February 09, 2009 at 09:53 PM
Mahalo Stephen for letting me know
If at all possible, I will visit the exhibit. It is always amazing!
A hui hou!
Posted by: Sonia | February 02, 2009 at 07:31 AM
Sonia,
This is the year of the Ox. 2009 should bring in the wealth. We are holding our Narcissus Flower Show in Honolulu
Art Academy at the Linekona Bldg. Feb. 7th and 8th 2009 10 to 4 p.m. This year I will feature the Ox another First.
Posted by: Stephen Fong | February 01, 2009 at 08:28 PM
Sonia,
This is the year of the Ox. 2009 should bring in the wealth. We are holding our Narcissus Flower Show in Honolulu
Art Academy at the Linekona Bldg. Feb. 7th and 8th 2009 10 to 4 p.m. This year I will feature the Ox another First.
Posted by: Stephen Fong | February 01, 2009 at 08:22 PM
I wish I could have been in Honolulu for the show Stephen. One of these years I hope to be able to attend and enjoy the whole experience....too bad I also missed tasting your ratatouille!!! Would love your recipe if you don't mind sharing it... I can share my Ratatouille quiche or deep dish pie with you!
Kung Hee Fat Choy to you and yours on this Year of the Rat!
Posted by: Sonia | February 09, 2008 at 09:15 PM
Sonia,
The narcissus bulb carving show was a real sucess which had 53 plants on display. I'm glad my ratatuoulli came out really like the Year of the rat. I had very good comment on my mouse and on the Show. what a sucess'
Posted by: Stephen Fong | February 09, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Sonia,
The narcissus bulb carving show was a real sucess which had 53 plants on display. I'm glad my ratatuoulli came out really like the Year of the rat. I had very good comment on my mouse and on the Show. what a sucess'
Posted by: Stephen Fong | February 09, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Mahalo for the notice, Stephen. If we go to Honolulu during those dates, I will certainly make it a point to see the Narcissus Bulb flower show.
Posted by: Sonia | January 21, 2008 at 07:53 AM
January 19, 2008 Year of the Rat Happy New Year
We are having our yearly Narcissus Crab Claw Bulb Flower Show by the student at the Honolulu Academy of Art at the Linekona Eduaction building on Feb. 9th and 10th.
Posted by: Stephen Fong | January 20, 2008 at 08:32 PM