File:Wo Fat (3497351667).jpg

The Landmark Wo Fat Building in Honolulu Downtown /Chinatown

Like a phoenix, Wo Fat always rises

By Burl Burlingame bburlingame@starbulletin.com Dec 28, 2003

No, it's not the lair of the evil Asian mastermind in "Hawaii Five-O." Actually, actor Khigh Dhiegh's character was probably named after the building. One of the first structures erected after Chinatown was leveled in the 1900 fire, the Wo Fat Building dominates the corner of Hotel and Maunakea streets.

Actually it was re-erected. Wo Fat management has always been fond of pointing out that it is Honolulu's oldest (and most popular) eating establishment, dating back to 1882, and that its original building was destroyed in the 1886 Chinatown fire, which began a block away. There's some confusion about the current structure, but it appears that most of it was built atop the 1900 building in 1938. At any rate, out of the ashes, Wo Fat keeps rising.

During World War II it was famous for issuing free dining coupons to servicemen that were still being honored decades later. Recently, the cavernous upper floor has served as a rock 'n' roll showroom.

The building's interior is architecturally undistinguished but businesslike and comfortable. The exterior, with its elaborate Chinese temple motifs, windowed octagonal corner tower and garish paint schemes, looks like a set from "Lost Horizon" and has caused many a tourist's camera to click.

"Wo Fat" aptly means "peace and prosperity."

Wo Fat Building Opened: 1900 Architect: Unknown Style: Westernized Chinese Commercial Address: 115 N. Hotel St.