Find good luck, gifts and goodies for the Lunar New Year in Chinatown
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Festivities and feast preparations are underway to ring in the Lunar New Year.
The Lunar New Year is Tuesday, Feb. 17, which starts the Year of the Horse. In Chinatown, plenty of people are grabbing gifts and goodies to bring good luck and good fortune.
When the red lanterns go up at the corner of Kekaulike Street and North King Street, you know the Lunar New Year celebration is about to go down.
What began as a way to ward off an evil beast on New Year’s Day has become a long-lasting tradition and symbol of the holiday: the red lantern.
Red lanterns decorate Chinatown for the Lunar New Year.
But that isn’t the only tradition. Food and good fortune go hand in hand.
Gau, a sweet cake made of glutinous rice flour and sugar, symbolizes higher income, position and the promise of a better year.
While this prosperous pastry can be found in most Chinatown stores, folks were lined up to get their hands on Gau and other Good Luck Candies made at Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery.
Gau and lucky candy made at Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery.
Benjamin’s Sweets specializes in Dubai French chocolate bars, which they make special for the holiday. The bars are shaped like moon cakes and bars of gold, as a good omen for the New Year.
Gift giving is a good precedent and practice to start the Lunar New Year, setting the tone for a year full of giving and receiving.
The popular Lunar New Year gift, the Red Envelope, is sold at New Cholon.
One of the most popular presents is the Red Envelope, also known as Lucky Money. The gift is a way to send good wishes, happiness and blessings to the receiver in the form of crisp, brand-new dollar bills.
In Chinese culture, the color red represents energy, happiness and good luck, which is what makes the red envelope so special. While some people may find it’s what’s on the inside that counts, it really is more about how it’s delivered.
New Cholon, a family-owned and operated store, is one of the shops where you can find these envelopes along with other gifts and goodies.
Another store specialty is Banh Chung, which is a central dish during Lunar New Year celebrations in Vietnam. The dish is made of glutinous rice, mung beans and pork wrapped in banana leaves, representing people’s connection to the Earth and their ancestors.
New Cholon’s special Banh Chung for Lunar New Year.
Good fortune can be found beyond what you give or get. Certain flowers have significant meaning in Chinese culture that have become popular home decor during the holiday.
Quinces, a striking shrub with red, pink, or white blossoms, are popular decor. The flower symbolizes new beginnings, fertility and love.
Forsythia flowers, vibrant branches with golden blooms, invite wealth and prosperity for those who have them.
Both these fabulous flowers will be sold at Lin’s Lei Shop, which has been family-owned and operated since 1987.
The 50th anniversary of the Chinatown Festival and Parade is Saturday, Feb. 14, kicking off at 9 a.m. all throughout Chinatown. The parade starts at 4:30 p.m. from the State Capitol to Hotel Street.
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