City met with eight developers on Chinatown Cultural Plaza redevelopment

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi told Hawaii News Now redevelopment plans for the dilapidated Chinatown Cultural Plaza on Beretania Street are moving forward.

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The Taiwanese government owns the 4-acre property. Last week, Blangiardi met with a Taiwan delegation for the third time since February, calling the meeting a ‘turning point.’

Mayor describes meetings as ‘very exciting’

“We’re moving forward and they’re very open to redevelopment of the Cultural Plaza — timeline to be discussed and announced very shortly,” Blangiardi said.

He said the delegation that traveled to Honolulu performed well in the meetings.

“The leadership that they sent here did an outstanding job. We had great meetings with eight of the state’s top developers. The bids will probably go out to even more than those eight, but the exchange, the discussion was all very exciting,” Blangiardi said.

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Tenants, timeline still uncertain

Blangiardi did not provide specifics on a potential demolition date or when tenants might be notified. He said eminent domain remains an option but that he does not expect it will be required.

Tenants have said the Chinatown Cultural Plaza has been in disrepair for years and has been a magnet for crime.

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