Defunct Movie Theaters

[helen]

Re: Defunct Movie Theaters

Were the Harbor Theaters and Illikai Theaters one in the same?

So when your in the Outback Steakhouse that was literally the theater? What always gets me is the low ceilings they had to obviously modify changes drastically to convert into what the business occupants use today.

It was called the Marina Twin Theaters. It was the smallest of the theaters back then each theater holding roughly the same amount of people as one of the Resturant Row theater or one of the older Pearlridge West theater.

At first they were part of the Royal chain of theaters but later on they got brought by Consolidated.

I haven't been to Outback Steakhouse so I can't comment what changes they made but they didn't have much rows in the theater and the screen was on the mountain side of the building (closer to the street).

[Kalihiboy]

Re: Defunct Movie Theaters

Ocean Pacific wrote: Kuhio Theater, a block Diamondhead on Kuhio Ave. from Nick's Fishmarket.

Is this location literally what is now Niketown or am I off a bit?

Wasn't there once a small theater at the Kuhio Mall which is now known as Waikiki Town Center I think on the other side of the International Marketplace.

Aj

[Kalihiboy]

Re: Defunct Movie Theaters

I didn't list a few theaters like Waikiki or Cinerama, figured they were talked about enough and sort of closed recently compared to many others.

Were the Harbor Theaters and Illikai Theaters one in the same?

So when your in the Outback Steakhouse that was literally the theater? What always gets me is the low ceilings they had to obviously modify changes drastically to convert into what the business occupants use today. You can easily tell that Papa Johns/Blockbuster and even Cinerama were once theaters I think.

I think a fw of the theater listings I gave may have been adult theaters or turned into them later on.

Queen Theater still sits rotting away to this day. Very sad. Too bad nobody can go fix it up and turn it back into some of the older style theaters I remember seeing on the mainland.

Aj

[oceanpacific]

Re: Defunct Movie Theaters

Kuhio Theater, a block Diamondhead on Kuhio Ave. from Nick's Fishmarket.

Ilikai Marina theater, where Outback Steakhouse is located.

Waialae Drive-In.

Kailua Drive-In.

Palama Theater, later known as Zamboanga, on North King near Kaiulani School.

Palace ===> Nippon ===> Golden Harvest (Beretania-Keaaumoku).

What happened to the adult theaters in Chinatown like Roosevelt and Busy-Bee?

[helen]

Re: Defunct Movie Theaters

Kapiolani Theater. The lobby area is now Papa Johns, the main section is now Blockbuster.

[GeckoGeek]

Re: Defunct Movie Theaters

Empress Theaters: 1190 Nunanu Avene

Is that the one that's now a New Hope chapel?

You're also missing the Cinerama (now a Checkers Auto parts)

There another one that's on the corner of Queen and Cook. Don't know what the name was, but the building is still there. One of the business in it is a dive shop.

Can't forget the Varsity.

[helen]

Re: Defunct Movie Theaters

I think Perry Boy Somgies is at the old Royal Theater site, at least it was a few years ago.

There was also a Kaimuki Theater that was located a block or two east from Queen's Theater.

[mel]

Re: Defunct Movie Theaters

Besides the Cinerama, Waikiki Twins and Waikiki #3, my next favorite was the old Royal Theater at Kuhio. Movies I remember seeing there were "True Grit", "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Star Trek The Motion Picture". "The Black Hole," and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." Sadly torn down and now what, a fancy high rise hotel sits there.... can't remember the name of it now. Royal Outrigger???

[MatildaRose]

Re: Defunct Movie Theaters

I didn't see it on your list, but in my neck of the woods (Kaimuki/St. Louis Heights), there's the old, old, old Queen Theater on Waialae Ave. I think the owners use it as a warehouse now.

[Kalihiboy]

Here are a bunch of them from mostly 1974 time frame:

Jerry Lewis Twin Theaters: Windward City Shopping Center

American Theaters: 130 N. Hotel Street

Holiday Kailua Theaters

Holiday Kam Shopping Center Theater (now KB Toys)

Nippon Theaters: Beretania & Keeaumoku, in 1962 was known as the Palace Theaters

Empress Theaters: 1190 Nunanu Avene

Toho Theaters: Kapiolani Blvd. (now Blockbuster Video?)

King Theaters: 59 S. King Street

Toyo Theater: Beretania & College Walk (I think the property turned into eventually the Honolulu Weekly offices, since demolished and Hawaii USA FCU)

Kapahulu Theaters: Kapahulu and Date Street

King & Royal Sunset Drive Inn: Farrington & Kunia Roads

Royal Theaters: 2380 Kuhio

Rex Theaters: 1164 Maunakea

Theater at Kings Alley: 131 Kalulani Avenue

Would be sort of interesting to do a what is there now or even what was there in between then and now!

Aj