Honolulu’s Chinatown conditions worsen in pandemic

Karen Lee, general manager of Cindy’s Lei Shoppe, puts a lei into the cold storage of the store.

Karen Lee, left, general manager of Cindy’s Lei Shoppe, and son Nick, right, wait for customers at the front of their store.

Karen Lee, left, general manager of Cindy’s Lei Shoppe, and son Nick walk to the front of their store.

Nick Lee, of Cindy’s Lei Shoppe, pauses for a moment while arranging a lei.

Nick Lee, of Cindy’s Lei Shoppe, arranges a lei in the shop.

A woman and child hold hands while walking past lei shops and businesses on Beretania Street.

The coronavirus pandemic, chronic homelessness, and the lag in many of the city’s gentrification and improvement projects to the 16 blocks of Chinatown has caused strife for many of the community’s residents and business owners.

Small business owner and Chinatown resident Oren Schlieman stands outside the closed storefront of Rosarina Pizza.

A homeless woman sits in the awning of a shuttered business along Hotel Street.

People stand outside the Wo Fat building.

Shuttered storefronts are seen on Pauahi Street.

Small business owner and Chinatown resident Oren Schlieman walks past a graffiti-laden wall on Pauahi Street.

Pedestrians pass a graffiti-ridden wall of a municipal parking complex on Pauahi Street.

Small business owner and Chinatown resident Oren Schlieman stops and stares at feces on the sidewalk on Pauahi Street.

Pedestrians cross Maunakea Street.

Small business owner and Chinatown resident Oren Schlieman walks Pauahi Street.

Small business owner and Chinatown resident Oren Schlieman looks down Maunakea Street.

Small business owner and Chinatown resident Oren Schlieman looks down Maunakea Street as a homeless man drinks beer outside Maunakea Liquor.