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Following the darkness of the pandemic, one of the bright spots for Downtown-Chinatown was the reopening of community life, marked by the return of one of our most historically popular community-building events: a block party celebrating Halloween, Hallowbaloo 2022.

Our most successful legacy block parties (e.g., Hallowbaloo, Saint Patrick’s Day) attract tens of thousands of visitors and our small businesses report their highest revenue grossing days/nights of the entire year.

And while there may be a few residents who like to complain (notwithstanding that Downtown-Chinatown is known as an arts, entertainment, and nightlife district), the majority consensus in the community (including the ) strongly supports these community events.

However, despite the community-building public benefit to Downtown-Chinatown, the neighborhood’s most popular and successful legacy block parties failed to take place in 2023 and 2024.

Various Hawaii news outlets have published stories noting their absence, often citing permitting issues with the city. According written in October 2023, the office of Mayor Rick Blangiardi noted, “The City objected to the sale and consumption of alcohol on all of the public streets within the multi-block Chinatown area …”

The street permit was not granted as both parties (i.e., the organizers and the city) could not agree on a plan.

But Downtown-Chinatown’s legacy block party events have taken place for decades. The block party organizers have not indicated they were looking for any changes to the planned events in 2023 and 2024 (as compared to past years).

So why the new approach to permitting?

The city’s reasoning is still unclear to some members of the Downtown-Chinatown community. And in the current year, instead of addressing the community’s concerns, was introduced.

While the main provisions primarily address events in Waikiki, based on the City’s statements during a , Bill 50 would also revise Honolulu ordinances to implement new rules and regulations into law (most notably around permitted alcohol) on an island-wide basis.

As an example of another major city moving in a different direction, San Francisco’s downtown and financial district (which experienced drastic setbacks in the wake of Covid-19) has recently announced legislation intended to support their downtown’s revitalization.

According to a San Francisco city , new city ordinances permit bars and restaurants to sell alcohol to-go which may be consumed in certain “Entertainment Zones” in San Francisco’s downtown during special events.

The new legislation is designed to boost economic activity and activate public spaces through fun community events that extend after work hours.

A number of San Francisco articles indicate that this new approach (including plans for their city’s own y in downtown) is working as intended.

Downtown-Chinatown advocates aren’t suggesting we take bold, forward-looking actions like San Francisco, but perhaps our City shouldn’t take active steps to move us backward (unless they can make a good case for why changes from past practices are necessary).

Otherwise, it’s possible that Downtown-Chinatown block parties from our past may never happen again.