Address
115 North Hotel Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
TMK
170020260000
SHPD Historic Site Number
Not Yet Available
Abstract
Wo Fat as a corporate entity in its various permutations survived destruction in the Chinatown fires of 1886 and 1900, eventually moving to the corner of Hotel and Maunakea Streets in Honolulu’s Chinatown. The current iteration, the Wo Fat Chop Sui (Suey) House was built in 1937 by W.S. Ching and designed by Yuk Ton Char, a successful Chinese American architect practicing in Honolulu at the time. The property is significant under Criterion A in the areas of Ethnic/Heritage (Asian) and Commerce and under Criterion C in the area of Architecture. Stylistically, the building displays architectural motifs indicative of traditional Chinese architecture. Noteworthy elements include the curved green tile roof, decorative brackets, three-story pagoda, and distinctive signage with Hanzi script. The rare combination of architectural detailing draws inspiration from traditional Chinese motifs as well as the geometric forms associated with the Art Deco style. The building is also a contributing feature in the Chinatown National Historic District.
This list of Hawaii’s historic properties is provided as a public service by Historic Hawaii Foundation. It is not the official list of properties designated on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places. For official designations and determinations of eligibility, contact the State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources of the State of Hawaii at 808-692-8015.