Chinese New Year in Honolulu begins with a bang

If you’re on Oahu, it’s multicultural party time.

Get yourself to downtown Honolulu’s Chinatown Arts District today. It’s First Friday, with all the galleries open, bars packed, the young and trendy packing the sidewalks, and serious revelry.

Not enough? Tonight’s also the official Chinese New Years street party. There will be firecrackers and lion dancers up and down the streets of Chinatown, food booths and decorations, plus a festival at the Chinese Cultural Plaza.   Still not enough? The Follies will put 60 showgirls on stage at Hawaii Theatre, and there will be free bands at Smith-Beretania Park.

In other words, it’s the biggest street party Chinatown’s seen in a long time.

Not the last party, though. There’s more Chinese New Years celebrating on Saturday, and then on Tuesday, the good times roll. Mardi Gras shuts down Nu‘uanu Avenue with beads, bands and food, plus Brazilian carnival and a Caribbean style costume and float contest. It doesn’t end there. Friday, Feb. 8, is Double 8 on the Chinese calendar. “It’s an auspicious day, all 24 hours, for weddings, businesses,” says Sandy Pohl of Louis Pohl Gallery.That evening, 26 merchants, restaurants and galleries will give patrons li-see—all of which will contain a surprise, some of which will contain money.It’s a multicultural party marathon. Most of it free, all of it fun. Just take a look at the celebration last year.