A significant piece of Honolulu's history is set to disappear with the impending closure of Smith's Union Bar, the city's oldest continuously operating bar. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that the bar, a Chinatown institution, will shut down due to the landlord's decision not to renew the lease. This marks the end of an era for a bar that has been a witness to Honolulu's evolution.
Smith's Union Bar, established in 1934, has been a fixture in Honolulu's Chinatown for decades. Its history is deeply intertwined with the city's, having served as a gathering place for locals, sailors, and visitors. The bar even has connections to the crew of the USS Arizona, with memorabilia that once graced its walls, as noted by Oldestbarineverystate.com.
The bar's closure highlights the challenges faced by local businesses in a changing urban landscape. The decision not to renew the lease could be interpreted as a potential signal of shifting priorities for the property owner. This decision could be influenced by a variety of conditions, including market changes, or proposals for alternative use of the property. For entrepreneurs and small business owners in Honolulu's hospitality sector, this creates uncertainty and could suggest increased pressure from real estate costs and development.
Civil Beat provided additional insights into the bar's significance, describing it as an old-school Navy dive known for cheap beer and karaoke. It also highlighted the bar's struggle to adapt to the changing neighborhood, with new establishments catering to a more modern and potentially wealthier demographic. The closure of Smith's Union prompts questions about the preservation of historic spaces and the support of long-standing local businesses in the face of urban development.
For those invested in Hawaii's business environment, this closure sends a clear reminder of the dynamic nature of the market. The bar's story is a microcosm of the larger trends affecting Honolulu, including the impact of tourism, real estate pressures, and the desire to balance economic progress with the preservation of cultural heritage and local businesses.
