Others live in drab concrete apartment towers that rise high into the smoggy sky. Some foreigners seek the hurly-burly of Chinese life. By contrast, Dragon Villas offers North American suburbia. Compounds include restaurants, swimming pools, karaoke rooms and grocery stores stocked with foreign goods. The government retains ownership of the land by leasing it for 10 to 20 years.
Rents are pricey, too.
The compounds aren't exclusively for foreigners. A few of the developments try to create a more Chinese feel. Some have homes inspired by the traditional courtyard house. Others offer classes in traditional Chinese arts and exercise, or celebrate traditional Chinese festivals in the development's clubhouse. The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co .