Downtown & Chinatown

Downtown and Chinatown have history, food and art, and are comfortable by day. They get rougher after dark, so visit early, stick to busy streets and take a rideshare back.

Downtown Honolulu has the state capitol, Iolani Palace and the historic civic buildings. Next door, Chinatown is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States, with open-air markets, lei shops, noodle houses, art galleries and a number of bars and restaurants. By day both are interesting and fine for a woman walking alone, with plenty of foot traffic. After business hours Downtown empties out, and parts of Chinatown, especially along Hotel Street and the blocks near the river, have visible street homelessness, drunk or erratic behavior and some drug activity. Most visitors have no trouble on the main streets, and the monthly First Friday art walk brings crowds, but it's sensible to eat early, stay on busy streets and take a rideshare back after dark. Car break-ins are common here, so never park with items visible.