Editorial: Old cultural plaza must come down

The Chinatown Cultural Plaza was an admirable, optimistic symbol of community pride and investment when it opened in 1974. Funded by six local Chinese community organizations with a vision to “perpetuate the Chinese culture and tradition in the community, and to provide a gathering place where people of all cultures and heritage can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Chinatown,” for a time it did just that. Over the past 50-plus years, many a local family’s weekly routines revolved around Sunday dim sum at the complex or shopping at the open-air market, with an offering of incense and prayers at the altar to the goddess of compassion, Kuan Yin, in the courtyard. During celebrations such as Chinese New Year, the spacious center courtyard drew capacity crowds.

See the original article at: Honolulu Star-Advertiser