According to owner Li May Tang, her establishment did not meet projections from resident and visitor traffic. "Although highly acclaimed for Chef Chih-Chieh Chang's beautiful and creative food, and the applause we got for the decor of the restaurant, which featured teak furniture, original pottery dishes from Taiwan and which many felt were the most elegant and modern restrooms in Waikiki, meal counts were very disappointing as Shanghai Bistro's rent continued to rise. It no longer made business sense to keep the restaurant open," she said.

Tang currently is working with an unnamed buyer to take over the space.

Tang also owns Hong Kong Harbor View Seafood Restaurant in Aloha Tower Marketplace and Royal Yakiniku in Waikiki, both of which are highly successful restaurants and will continue operations.

"I could not continue to underwrite Shanghai Bistro, as much as I loved it, with money from my other two restaurants," Tang said.

She added that Chef Chang will continue to work for her at her two other restaurants, as will most of the employees who will be transferred.

"I appreciate the support of the employees and customers. We will have a farewell and happy hour on Halloween to say good-bye and will put out complimentary pupus from 4 p.m.," said Tang.