Kristen joined KITV4 in March 2021 after working for the past two decades as a newspaper reporter. Kristen's goal is to produce meaningful journalism that educates, enlightens and inspires to affect positive change in society.
For decades, Honolulu's Chinatown neighborhood has been a magnet for crime, drugs and homelessness. But business operators are finally hopeful the situation's about to get better.
HONOLULU (KITV4) -- For decades, Honolulu's Chinatown neighborhood has been a magnet for crime, drugs and homelessness. But business operators are finally hopeful the situation's about to get better.
After 35 years of feeding the homeless in Chinatown, the River of Life Mission served its final meal Thursday at its downtown headquarters.
"This is a historic moment for Chinatown. It's like a rebirth," said Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, head of the Chinatown Business and Community Association.
Businesses have been fighting for years to get the ministry to move out of the area in hopes of putting an end to crime, drugs and mental illness on the streets.
The program drew hundreds of homeless people to the neighborhood and after years of complaints by the business community it's finally moving.
"It is a desperate situation with the homeless, and I feel for them and it's obviously an incredibly moral thing to make sure they're fed and cared for," said Chinatown shopper Jay Regan. "But if there's a way of of not influencing local businesses and combine the goodwill and the importance of caring for them, I think it's a win."
The River of Life's relocating its meal service to multiple areas across Honolulu -- in Iwilei, Sand Island, Ke'ehi Lagoon, Waipahu, and St. Elizabeth Church in Kalihi.
It's also searching for more locations to expand and for a main campus outside of Chinatown.
"Chinatown has infinite potential," Regan added. "I see certain people cast despair I guess upon Chinatown insofar as they think it's dirty -- the homeless situation. And there's this inherent aversion that I think if it could be altered, and it becomes an exciting and regenerated place, it's incredibly important for Honolulu."
The Christian mission reached a deal last month with the city to move the operation that's distributed 12 million meals over the years.
Businesses said the change is the key to restoring the once-vibrant community.
"Can go shopping, buy lei, buy flower, buy food and manapua especially -- they'll love to come to Chinatown," said florist Sam Say.
The mission's hoping by expanding its program to other communities it can reach more people in need and eventually get them off the streets for good.
Kristen joined KITV4 in March 2021 after working for the past two decades as a newspaper reporter. Kristen's goal is to produce meaningful journalism that educates, enlightens and inspires to affect positive change in society.
