Most Chinese immigrants came to Hawaii in the mid-18th century to work on sugar plantations. They began opening a business in Honolulu, creating permanent roots in Hawaii, embedded within Hawaiian culture itself, and establishing Chinatown’s vibrant borough. Here is a brief history of this under the district radar.

In ancient times, the Chinatown area was now known as Ko and had mud flats with shrubs and palm trees. The construction of Honolulu Port has changed the course of the region’s history. Honolulu, once known as the best place in all the islands to dock large ships, led to the emergence of a nearby city for foreigners. The neighboring city was a business, commercial, accommodation, and entertainment center for foreigners, as well as whales who stopped in Hawaii. It was the birth of Chinatown.

Caspi media Photo by Ronen Zilberman

The borough was not easy to set up – Chinatown and its residents overcame many difficulties. Most of the buildings date only to the early 20th century due to a fire in 1886, which destroyed eight blocks of houses. The reconstruction of the area was unregulated, resulting in poor living conditions and mouse outbreaks from nearby ships. A few years later, Chinatown suffered a burst of a bubonic epidemic and the state decided to burn all infected buildings. However, Honolulu’s Chinatown district is now thriving and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its impact on the local Chinese community.