November 7, 2025

A total of 35 attendees from the Chinatown business and community sectors joined the one-hour presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. Ms. Kahikina provided detailed updates on the progress of the Honolulu rail project, particularly highlighting developments at the Chinatown and Downtown stations. She also outlined the various stages of the ongoing and upcoming construction work, offering clarity on timelines and community impacts.

Attendees appreciated the opportunity to engage directly with HART leadership, raising questions about business accessibility, station design, and future economic benefits related to the project.

On behalf of the Chinese Chamber, Vice President Tony Shi extends community's gratitude to Ms. Kahikina for her informative presentation and continued collaboration in keeping the Chinatown community informed and involved.

Dear Chamber Members and Friends,

Get ready to celebrate the holidays in style!

Join us for a joyful evening at the Japanese Cultural Center at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

The 75th Narcissus Court and the 76th Narcissus Festival Contestants will join us to spread holiday spirit and aloha. Please click the links on the attached flyer for registration.

Event Highlights:

·   Holiday games & prizes

·   Holiday photo booth

·   Meet the Narcissus Court & Contestants

·   Dinner & festive fun with fellow Chamber members

Venue:

Japanese Cultural Center

2454 South Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96826

We will also have vendor craft booths at the holiday party so guests can shop when they drop from arrival till the end of the event. Spaces are limited to five vendor booths, please feel free to invite Family & Friends to purchase a booth as soon as possible if interested. For booth registration, please contact Chamber office at 808-533-3181 or email to info@chinesechamber.com.

Aloha and Mahalo,

Meanwhile, the Chinatown Arch is currently under construction in China. Designed to reflect traditional Chinese architectural artistry with modern structural standards, the arch is expected to be completed and delivered by July 2026. Once installed, it will serve as an iconic landmark welcoming visitors and celebrating the historic and cultural significance of Honolulu’s Chinatown.

Chinese Chamber is pleased to share that our member Chris Cook, the owner of newly opened Olohana Brewpub in Chinatown, was featured in the Pacific Business News on October 31, 2025. Chris discussed his background and how he arrived in the business community of Hawaii. He emphasized the importance of building strong relationships and staying adaptable in a changing market. He shared a few key insights:

• Focus on collaboration: He believes success comes from working together and forming meaningful connections rather than going it alone.
• Community roots matter: Chris highlighted how his local ties have helped his business and reinforced his commitment to giving back.
• Forward-looking mindset: While respecting tradition, he’s keen on leveraging new technologies and trends to stay ahead and contribute to the local economy.

Event Announcement by CCS: A Filmmaker's Journey of Discovery

We are pleased to share information about an upcoming program presented by the Center for Chinese Studies (CCS) at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa:

Pākē Ohana: Tracking Chinese Ancestry in Hawaii through Primary Sources — A Filmmaker’s Journey of Discovery.

Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 2:00–4:00 p.m. (HST)

Hybrid Event: UHM Campus Center Executive Dining Room & Online

This engaging presentation will explore how primary sources and personal storytelling can uncover and preserve Chinese ancestry in Hawaii.

Please see the flyer below for full details and registration information. We encourage our members to participate—either in person or virtually—and support this meaningful event celebrating our shared heritage and history.

Chinese Chamber Calendar:

December 3 2025 Holiday Party - Japanese Cultural Center Ballroom

January 11 2026 Narcissus Pageant - Hawaii Theatre Center

January 31 2026 Coronation Ball - Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom

Address:

8 S King St, Suite # 201

Honolulu, HI 96813

Tel: (808) 533-3181