Letter: Chinatown history being removed stone by stone
I would like to thank the Oahu Historic Preservation Commission for raising concern over the ignorant manner in which Honolulu’s history is being destroyed. When I went by Lai Fong store and noticed the disappearance of the granite sidewalk paver stones, I almost cried.
Anyone who has read Gary R. Coover’s excellent “Honolulu Chinatown: 200 Years of Red Lanterns & Red Lights” knows that this is the second-oldest building in Chinatown, which helped stop the great fire on April 18, 1886, from spreading across Nuuanu Avenue.
I read an article a while back about the mayor wanting to preserve Chinatown. I hope he and his staff have read this book and keep in mind what to preserve. Our history is part of us.
Jean Toyama
Downtown
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