It’s been almost two months since the Chinatown Business and Community Association started opening a public restroom on the weekends.
It’s part of a pilot program to give the homeless and Chinatown visitors a place to "go."
The Association’s president says so far it’s been working really well.
It all started because Chinatown merchants were fed up by the smell, and didn’t like finding "surprises" at their shop entrances.
Before this pilot program started, there were no public restrooms open in the heart of Chinatown on weekends.
The Chinese New Year starts on January 23rd, but celebrations in Chinatown are already underway.
Thousands of people will be coming to Chinatown this weekend for more New Year celebrations.
And while there are some porta potties set up for the events, there’s also another option.
The restroom at the River of Life Mission on Pauahi Street is open on the weekends from 10am till 9pm.
One for men, one for women, and look how clean they are.
"We have a security guard there, so they’re not doing drugs in there, not doing violence in there, not prostitution in there, it’s clean and the janitor is on duty the whole time," said Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, Chinatown Business and Community Association President.
The Chinatown Business and Community Association started a pilot program in November that’ll last for 90 Saturdays and Sundays.
The association raised ten thousand dollars in City money and private donations to pay for a security guard and janitor, to ensure that the restrooms are safe and clean.
"So far since we opened on November 19th, we have over 400 customers usage," said Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock.
The majority has been homeless men, and Chu Lan says merchants have noticed a huge difference.
"It’s not smelly, you aren’t walking on stuff and don’t have to come in the morning and wash. There’s still some but I would say 90% gone," said Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock.
Chu Lan is hoping that visitors to Chinatown will also start using this restroom.
She’s been passing out fliers to let people know about it.
"We hope that with this 90 days, the City will be able to find money to permanently fund public toilets in Chinatown because we sure need them," said Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock.
The Association also wants to open a second public restroom on Hotel Street in the future.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
