What started out as exploring my neighborhood of Kaka’ako has turned into a Saturday morning ritual. This post is part 2 of my earlier entry on urban hiking. I could very well be turning into a “senior citizen,” because I really enjoy my walks through Chinatown.

I start down Kapiolani until it forks into King Street. I walk past Five-O Headquarters (haha, the State Courthouse.)

I turn up at Fort Street Mall, and then left on Hotel Street.

The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park next to the Hawai’i Theatre marks the entrance into Chinatown.

I love Chinatown. Chinatown is Honolulu’s version of a marketplace. There is so much to see here. You will find the freshest meats, vegetables, and seafood. I usually come home with a slab of char siu or a bag of lychee or mountain apples.

Today I had pho from Phở Huong Lan in the Chinese Cultural Plaza.

For my route back home, I usually walk through the historical section of Honolulu. One of my favorite buildings is the Kumu Kahua Theatre on Merchant Street. I believe it used to be a post office back in the day.

You will find courtyards with cafés and really nice views along the way.

My favorite building of all is the old Royal Brewery on Queen Street. (Click on the photo to enlarge.)

Today, I continued home through Kaka’ako.

You never know who you might run into there.

Another great Saturday morning….