The scene at Kekaulike Mall yesterday brought a smile to 74-year-old Barbara Hao's face as Chinatown residents and visitors filled the broad walkway, their arms loaded with plastic bags full of clothes, produce and other wares.

It was a return to normalcy after a fatal shooting and an apparently retaliatory stabbing and assault just around the corner evoked not-so-distant memories of Chinatown violence and sent a chill through the largely immigrant neighborhood.

Honolulu police have increased their presence in the area and the city last week announced a new multipronged plan — which includes a complaints hot line and increased street cleaning — to combat crime in Chinatown.

"Right after (the shooting) happened, seniors were afraid to come out," said Hao, who lives in the adjacent Kekaulike Courtyard apartment complex. "Now, because of the response from the mayor and the police department, it looks like things are getting better. We just have to keep going."

Hao was one of about 50 people, including members of the Chinatown Business and Community Association, the Lion's Club, local Chinese associations, and area merchants, who marched through the Chinatown district yesterday in a show of unity against gangs, drug dealers, gamblers, extortionists, prostitutes and others who engage in criminal activity in the area.

The rally was initiated by City Councilman Rod Tam and joined by state Sen. Brickwood Galuteria, state Rep. Karl Rhoades and Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa.

"When Frank Fasi was mayor, he cleaned up Hotel Street and a lot of Chinatown and started a movement that continues on today," Tam said. "But now we have criminal elements coming in from California and we need to stand up and tell them that they're not wanted here and they should go back home."

Tam said the key to dealing with crime in the area is overcoming the fear many residents feel about reporting crimes, a fear exacerbated by language differences and, in some cases, negative perceptions of government and police in their native countries.

"The challenge is that people are afraid," Tam said. "If people are afraid, criminals can sense it. By showing unity, we can help people get over that fear. If everyone works together and notices and reports crimes instead of walking by and ignoring it, they can really help to improve their community."

Chinatown business owner Thomas Sum, 55, agreed that many crimes in the area go unreported. And while overall crime in Chinatown has decreased over the past few years, the added police presence is needed to keep residents safe.

Sum said his wife was beaten and robbed last December while walking home from work. She was taken to the hospital for a head injury.

"There has been plenty of trouble," he said. "We have to get together and support the police and the city in cleaning up the neighborhood."

Correa said there are now four times as many police officers patrolling Chinatown, and he intends to maintain the increased presence "as long as it's needed."

Correa said yesterday's event was an important step in building and maintaining relationships between merchants, residents and the police, relationships that could go a long way in preventing future crime.

Correa emphasized that while vice crimes remain a problem in Chinatown, the area is safe for residents, merchants and visitors.

"We're a big city and we have big-city problems, but we're still the safest in the country," he said. "Our crime rate is the lowest in 75 years, and it's still going down."

That's the sort of message Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board member Carlton N. Middleton has been trying to preach since the two high-profile incidents made headlines.

"It's safe down here," said Middleton, a newspaper vendor. "There's no reason not to come down here and spend money."