ROYAL HAWAIIAN CENTER CELEBRATES LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH ARRAY OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2020
ROYAL HAWAIIAN CENTER CELEBRATES LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH ARRAY OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Waikīkī – Lunar New Year casts its lucky glow over Royal Hawaiian Center with cultural performances, special events, live entertainment, and a limited-time gift with purchase. The Year of the Rat festivities take place from Thursday, January 16, 2020 through Sunday, February 9, 2020, with a full day of celebratory events on Saturday, January 25, 2020.
“Lunar New Year is a beloved tradition in Hawaiʻi, and a wonderful time for people to gather together and enjoy delicious food and festive activities while inviting luck and good fortune for the new year,” said Royal Hawaiian Center Vice President, General Manager Marleen Akau.
The celebration begins with a special Lunar New Year kick-off event on Thursday, January 16, 2020, in The Royal Grove. From 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Chinese calligrapher Ina Chang will share her talent and tips with Royal Hawaiian Center visitors through free calligraphy demonstrations. At 6:00 p.m., a lion dance performance will thrill and excite shoppers in The Royal Grove. This year’s Miss Chinatown 2020 contestants will also be on-site for a special meet and greet with visitors throughout the evening.
Lunar New Year reaches an exciting peak on Saturday, January 25, Chinese New Year Day with a lion dance performance by the Lung Kong Physical Culture Club from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. After weaving their way through The Royal Grove, the lions will dance through the Center and visit participating stores and restaurants. In addition to the lion dance, the Lung Kong Physical Culture Club will also delight guests with festive holiday fireworks and cultural performances including tai chi and martial arts demonstrations. Chinese dances by the Hawaii Dong Fang Art Troupe will take place from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m., with a Korean fan dance performance by the Hallah Huhm Korean Dance Studio following shortly thereafter from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m.
A unique celestial experience will feature an exclusive stargazing opportunity on Friday, January 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. In partnership with Stargazers of Hawaii, the Center is providing shoppers the opportunity to peer through large portable telescopes and explore Hawaiʻi’s beautiful night sky in search of the moon, planets, star clusters, galaxies and more. Stargazers of Hawaii and their telescopes will be located between Buildings A and B, on the Level 4 bridge. Participation is on a first come, first serve basis.
Additionally, from January 16 through February 9, shoppers can also take advantage of the limited-time Lunar New Year gift with purchase promotion. Redeem $500 or more in cumulative Royal Hawaiian Center receipts then pick up a lucky lai see red envelope at Helumoa Hale Guest Services. Each lai see envelope contains a lucky number that corresponds to a prize, including an exclusive ALOHA red tote bag designed by local artist Bethany Georges, merchandise and gift cards from participating merchants, and specialty logo items. Lucky lai see envelopes are limited to one envelope per person, per day, while supplies last. Throughout the Lunar New Year period, shoppers can also indulge in special Lunar New Year dishes at participating restaurants.
Visit Royal Hawaiian Center to celebrate the Year of the Rat and take part in a memorable cultural celebration. For more information, visit www.RoyalHawaiianCenter.com or call Helumoa Hale Guest Services at 808-922-2299.
About Royal Hawaiian Center
Royal Hawaiian Center is the premier shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural destination in Waikīkī, comprised of 110 shops and restaurants over three city-blocks of world-renowned Kalākaua Avenue. The Center stands proudly upon historic land known as Helumoa, once home to Hawaiian royalty. Hawaiian culture is celebrated every day at the Center with a variety of complimentary cultural lessons such as hula, lauhala weaving, lei-making, ʻukulele classes, and live entertainment featuring Hawaiian music and hula performances.
Royal Hawaiian Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offers free validated parking for the first two hours with a minimum $10 purchase and only $2 per hour for the 3rd and 4th hours. Standard rates apply at $6 an hour thereafter.
For guests’ convenience, Royal Hawaiian Center offers valet parking Friday – Sunday nights from 5:00 – 11:00 p.m. and on major holidays (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day) from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Vehicle drop-off is located adjacent to the entrance to the Center’s parking garage on the corner of Royal Hawaiian Avenue and Don Ho Lane. Valet parking is $9 for the first 5 hours; standard rates apply thereafter.
OWNERSHIP: Royal Hawaiian Center is owned by RHC Property Holdings LLC and managed by The Festival Companies.
For more information, visit www.RoyalHawaiianCenter.com or call Helumoa Hale Guest Services at 808-922-2299.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jocelyn Collado or Sam Shenkus
Megan Kakimoto Royal Hawaiian Center
Becker Communications, Inc. (808) 931-3110
(808) 533-4165s.shenkus@festivalcos.com