For decades, the Chinatown Cultural Plaza has been a cornerstone of Honolulu’s historic district. Built in 1974 by a hui of Chinese community organizations and acquired by Taiwan in 1979, it once served as a thriving commercial and cultural center. Today, however, it has deteriorated beyond repair . Taiwan’s stewardship hasn’t been adequate, and years of neglect and deferred maintenance have left the complex blighted, beyond the point where patching things up is a practical solution. It’s an eyesore — with vacant storefronts, standing water and darkened areas where homeless people and drug users encroach. ...read more read less