We are glad to learn that the developer, The Michaels Organization, has finally obtained financing for Halewai‘olu Senior Residences (“Chinatown senior housing tower advances,” Star-Advertiser, Feb 15). It has been a 10-year battle for the Chinese community to persuade the city that it was inappropriate to build a Housing First project for homeless with mental and drug problems at the end of River Street.

This location is near schools, senior housing, shrines and temples. In its place the Chinatown Community Center Association, an incorporated nonprofit organization representing a cross-section of the Chinese community, proposed and, after many years, finally persuaded, the city administration to build much-needed affordable senior housing and a separate Chinatown Community Center.

We thank Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Councilmember Carol Fukunaga, the City Council, Neighborhood Board 13, our district representatives and the many Chinese societies and organizations for their continued support and encouragement to persevere and not give up. We now look forward and await the groundbreaking for the Halewai‘olu senior housing and community center.

Wesley F. Fong

President, Chinatown Community Center Association

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