With rise in Chinatown crime and homelessness, Blangiardi pledges more improvements With rise in Chinatown crime and homelessness, Blangiardi pledges more improvements By Ben Gutierrez | May 6, 2021 at 10:08 PM HST - Updated May 6 at 10:21 PM HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi told Chinatown businesses and residents that his administration will continue work against homelessness and crime in the area. Blangiardi spoke Thursday night at the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board meeting. Board members and others said it’s the first time any Honolulu mayor has done so. The mayor first took issue with some recent media articles, in which Chinatown residents and business owners expressed frustration with increasing problems with drugs, homeless people and crime. There was also frustration that enough wasn’t being done since he took office.