Categories: Hawaii

Chinese New Year, Honolulu

Lion at the Chinese New Year celebration, Honolulu (Photo: Brent Petersen)

Chinese New Year is Tuesday, February 5th, 2019. In Hawaii, there is a sizable Chinese population, so there is a big celebration. Chinatown in Honolulu, of course, is the center of the festivities, but there are Chinese New Year celebrations all over the islands.

Social clubs have members dress as lions, and accompanied by a drum corp, parade through the streets, dancing and entertaining the crowds.

Photo: Brent Petersen

Firecrackers explode, announcing the troupes arrival.

Performers during Chinese New Year celebrations at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza, Honolulu (photo: Brent Petersen)

The Chinatown Cultural Plaza hosts vendors (see all the plush pig toys for the upcoming Year of the Pig) and performers as well.

Photo: Brent Petersen

Notice the flag of the U.S. and the flag of Taiwan at the plaza. Absent is the flag of mainland China, but according to the plaza’s website, all people and cultures are welcome.

Flags of the U.S. and Taiwan flying at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza, Honolulu (photo: Brent Petersen)

About the Author

Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel “Truffle Hunt” (Eckhartz Press) and the short story collection “That Bird.” He’s also written dozens of foodie travel guides to cities around the world on Destination Eat Drink, including in-depth eating and drinking guides to Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, Monsaraz, and Evora in Portugal. Brent’s podcast, also called Destination Eat Drink, is available on all major podcasting platforms and is distributed by the Radio Misfits Podcast Network.