Lingle dines out to dispel Chinatown SARS rumors
| • | Tests confirm cause of SARS |
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer
Gov. Linda Lingle took more than a dozen of her Cabinet officials for a fast-paced lunch in Chinatown yesterday to help dispel rumors that SARS had turned up in the area.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
Lingle said she read in the newspaper about the problems that some Chinatown businesses were facing in Honolulu because of unfounded rumors that the illness had sickened some people there and made other people fearful of shopping and eating in the popular downtown district.
Gov. Linda Lingle enjoyed lunch in Chinatown yesterday with friend Mike Strada, left, and honorary mayor of Chinatown, Sun Hung Wong.
"I was really concerned for them because we know that SARS is not spread by going and eating in a restaurant, and we wanted to bring attention to it," Lingle said.
Over dim sum, honey walnut shrimp and noodles, Lingle and some of her associates and friends joined Chinatown leaders in talking about the issues.
At Legend Seafood Restaurant, co-owner Joseph Choi said he was "very happy" to see the governor's show of confidence after seeing a 30 percent drop in business. "She is getting out the rumors so that everybody knows that Chinatown is not infected, know that SARS is not yet in Hawai'i," he said.
Some of the diners also praised Lingle's decision to show her support over lunch. Walter and Lillian Wong said they usually celebrate special occasions in the Chinatown restaurants — birthdays, anniversaries and the "end of tax season."
The Wongs said they had heard the rumors had slowed restaurant business but they continued to shop in Chinatown "every day."
