Your favorite movie theater

[oceanpacific]

Movies I remember:

KING - WILLARD (the one about the rats);
ROYAL - first movie "date" in Honolulu for me; THE GRADUATE;
WAIALAE DRIVE-IN - don't remember any of the movies ;
TOHO - saw the Shogun Assasin ("Lone Wolf") series;
KAPIOLANI (formerly TOHO) - TOOTSIE;
WAIKIKI 3 - POSEIDON ADVENTURE;
CINERAMA - M*A*S*H; EASY RIDER;
WAIKIKI 1/2 - THE STING; E.T.; AMERICAN GRAFFITI;
QUEEN - XXX stuff not in Chinatown;
KAIMUKI - PRUDENCE AND THE PILL; IMPOSSIBLE YEARS (both David Niven);
UH (Snyder Hall) - DEEP THROAT;
KAHALA - TWINS;
KOKO MARINA - BACK TO THE FUTURE

I remember the twin-theaters at the Ilikai Marina where Outback Steakhouse is located now.

[GeckoGeek]

I think all the theaters I remember are gone now. What's interesting is that I still associate certain movies with them.

Kailua Theater - Mary Poppins (just barely remembered)

Holiday Theater, Kailua Shopping Center - Poseidon Adventure, Paper Moon, The Sting, Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Kailua Drive In - No movies, but I remember the tailgating in the front row.

Akahi - Tora, Tora, Tora; American Graffiti

Cinerama - Space Odyssey 2001, the original Star Wars, Rocky Horror Picture Show.

[Kalihiboy]

I believe the last film shown at the Cinerama was in October 1999 with the presentation of American Beauty with Kevin Spacey. I used to eat at the JITB across the street all the time when I lived in Makiki, but kick myself for never going to any films at the Cinerama.

I have old commercials for films that were shown at the Royal Marina Theaters by the Ilikai. Anyone know when that theater closed? I'm guessing late 80's around the time in which they tore down the Kaiser Hospital which of course that demolition was used in an episode of Magnum PI.

Aj

[DannyWilliams]

I believe the last film shown at the Cinerama was in October 1999 with the presentation of American Beauty with Kevin Spacey. I used to eat at the JITB across the street all the time when I lived in Makiki, but kick myself for never going to any films at the Cinerama.

Aj

no no no


The last movie to be shown at Cinerama was THE INSIDER w/ Russell Crowe
Pic of Cinerama HERE
and they closed November of '99. I rememba da article online.

[helen]

Dole Cannery 18, also has stadium seating, I think the hot dogs are better if the Critics Corner section is open

Last time I went to Dole was New Years Eve and the Critics Corner section was blocked off with huge movie posters. I don't think the section has been in operation for quite some time. And the hot dogs sold by the usual concession stand is the standard size hot dog and bun.

[kanahina]

I like going to Regal Theater at Pearl Highlands because I can buy my tickets at that kiosk thingy (which never has a line) instead of standing in the regular ticket line! I think Dole Cannery is a Regal Theater also and has that ticket kiosk, but it's a little far from home for me. (Although the hubby did take me to see Dream Girls there last year because it was the only theater still showing it.) Do any Consolidated Theaters have that ticket kiosk?

[helen]

The Ward 16 has a couple of machines. There are located on the right hand side of the enterance (the ticket office is on the left hand side).

[Lei Liko]

The Ward 16 has a couple of machines. There are located on the right hand side of the enterance (the ticket office is on the left hand side).

I love those things. While the ticket office lines do move quickly (thanks to efficient workers), it's still a bummer to see a long line at the top of the escalator. Whenever I want to use the CC/Debit Card kiosk, there's usually no one there.

I like how we can use plastic at the concession stand now, too.

It's funny because I don't think I've ever come across this thread before. I have fond memories at the old Cinerama. I think the last time I saw a movie there was the Blair Witch Project in 1998. I remember that night vividly because I got sick in the middle of the movie and had to run to the bathroom to yack.

[Honoruru]

It's funny because I don't think I've ever come across this thread before. I have fond memories at the old Cinerama. I think the last time I saw a movie there was the Blair Witch Project in 1998. I remember that night vividly because I got sick in the middle of the movie and had to run to the bathroom to yack.

Funny you should mention this, but I got sick watching the same movie at the same theater, too. (I think I mentioned this in a previous thread.) And it wasn't because of the subject matter. It was because of the camera work (that herky-jerky, hand-held technique). I just got sicker and sicker the more I watched. I was sick the rest of the day. Later, after I recovered, I searched online and discovered I wasn't the only one who got sick. It seems that anyone who was susceptible to motion sickness got physically sick watching the movie.

Was that the case for you, too?

[Random]

Kamoi Theater in Kaunakaka'i, on Moloka'i.

Sure, it was rat-infested, but I can get into it and watch an R-Rated B-type film without an ID check ... at age 4.

My only regret is not watching Star Wars and that's because Darth Vader on the movie poster scares me. (No, at thirtysomething now, I'm not afraid of him.)

[Kaukura]

For almost 2 years, I went to the Dole exclusively. Dont know why in particular, just seemed easier. I dont' really like crowds and the dole just seemed less crowded, even though it was full many times.. go figure.. Anyway, i finally started going to Ward about a year ago and was amazed how much their larger theatres seem to give such a better movie experience. now I try to go there as often as I can (even though I work downtown) especially if the film is playing at both Ward and Dole.

but the Dole always remains to me the best theatre to go to on a rainy day when you just want to lose yourself in a movie, or on a weekday afternoon at 3 when there wont be a lot of people in the theatre.

ps Anybody notice how the Ward theatres seem to have this odor lately? I've noticed it in the ones Ewa side. Sort of musty verging on stale urine smell.. First time i noticed it was a few months ago. Still comes through.

[kanahina]

The Ward 16 has a couple of machines. There are located on the right hand side of the enterance (the ticket office is on the left hand side).

Thanks for the info, I did not know this. I always go left to the box office and never looked to see what was on the right side.

mahalo!

[helen]

Went to the Pearlridge theaters last week and I noticed that their general admission prices are a $1 less than Ward but one of their stadium seating theaters (the one downstairs) doesn't have much of a height difference between rows.

[DannyWilliams]

I love those things. While the ticket office lines do move quickly (thanks to efficient workers), it's still a bummer to see a long line at the top of the escalator. Whenever I want to use the CC/Debit Card kiosk, there's usually no one there.

I like how we can use plastic at the concession stand now, too.

Yes debit cards rock when you are in the mood to go to da theater to see a movie! I always look for the VISA/MC sticker! The theaters here in the bay area have some kind of CC/Debit setup for patrons. Takes the guess work out of asking yourself, should I take out $20 or $40?!?!

[Walkoff Balk]

Roxy Theater in Kapaa, across from Nakamura store on Kauai seemed like an arena, when it's your first movie going experience. And you always remember your first.
The worst had to be at King Theater, even with a cheap price for a double feature. But, that's what you could afford as a college student. It was three to four hours of a sticky floor and the smell of urine.

[Walkoff Balk]

I like to add the other long gone theater in Kapaa called the Pono Theater. Whatta country bumpkin I am? But, I thought since it showed X-rated movies once a week there, that the term 'porno" was named referencing the Pono Theater. And the added "r" was for the r-rated foreign films from Asia.

[mel]

Movies I remember:

KAPIOLANI (formerly TOHO) - TOOTSIE;
WAIKIKI 3 - POSEIDON ADVENTURE;
CINERAMA - M*A*S*H; EASY RIDER;
WAIKIKI 1/2 - THE STING; E.T.; AMERICAN GRAFFITI;

I remember the twin-theaters at the Ilikai Marina where Outback Steakhouse is located now.

Movies that I associate with Hawaii theaters of the past:

CINERAMA - Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Apollo 13, Karakatoa: East of Java, Lawrence of Arabia (re-release), 2001: A Space Odyssey (re-release), many others.

WAIKIKI 1, 2 & 3 - E.T., Star Wars The Phantom Menace, Star Wars Episode IV Special Edition, Footloose, Independence Day, Jaws, Titanic, Forrest Gump, Lilo & Stitch many others.

WAIKIKI iMAX THEATER - Star Wars II Attack of the Clones

ROYAL THEATER - True Grit, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Trek Wrath of Khan, TRON, The Black Hole

ROYAL MARINA TWINS - American Hot Wax, Saturday Night Fever

KAPIOLANI - Wings Over America Rockshow, Back to the Future, Dune, Howard the Duck, several others

HOLIDAY THEATERS LAIE - Blade Runner, Animal House, several others

PEOPLES' THEATER (Honokaa Big Island) - Planet of the Apes & 4 sequels, Lawrence of Arabia, The Love Bug, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Romeo & Juliet (1968), Journey to the Far Side of the Sun, 2001: A Space Odyssey, War of the Worlds (1953 version re-release), Silent Running, The Last Valley, Soylent Green, The Omega Man, Blackbeard's Ghost, Cougar Country, many others from my childhood and teen years.

HILO PALACE THEATER - Star Wars (1977), Island of Dr. Moreau, The Swarm, Grease, a few others.

WAIKEA TWINS - Hilo, Big Island - The Blair Witch Project

[DannyWilliams]

Instead of Creating Anudda Thread..... I am posing it HEA

As I posted way waaaay back of the now long gone theaters I once trekked at
what has it become or who curently uses the space?


Waikiki 1 # 2?

Waikiki #3

Kuhio Twins - I know became NikeTown (right?) but they are folding/closing?

Cinerama - became a auto shop store, is it still there?

Varisity - The space went to UH

Kapiolani - Became A Blockbuster Location, is it still there?

Pearlridge 4 plex - Became A Medical Facility

Kam Drive In ?

Kailua Drive In ?

King Twins - Became A Parking Garage Facility

Marina Twins - Outback Resturaunt?

Waialae Drive In ?

Royal Sunset Drive In

[Ron Whitfield]

The Cinerama/store bldg. is still there. But I wanna know what happened to the signature masks that were out front? That whole little area is owned by a family who is thankfully in no rush to sell or change it from what it's been for decades.

The Varsity is now a vacant lot, paved and will probably be more parking lot space. Maybe they'll turn it into a drive-in...

[craigwatanabe]

The Cinerama/store bldg. is still there. But I wanna know what happened to the signature masks that were out front? That whole little area is owned by a family who is thankfully in no rush to sell or change it from what it's been for decades.

The Varsity is now a vacant lot, paved and will probably be more parking lot space. Maybe they'll turn it into a drive-in...

I loved the Cinerama. It truly had a big silver screen. Now that was 16:9 aspect ration back then I went there to see Star Wars and stood in line that wrapped around the block overlapping it.

[anapuni808]

CW - I wonder if we were standing in the same line for Star Wars?

[anapuni808]

I loved the old open-air movies out in Waianae & Nanakuli. Those were where I saw my first japanese movies - learned to love the old samurai movies. It was also a true experience - bring your own food, share it with the misc. cats, rats & B-52's running around all over the place. But it was a fun experience!

[craigwatanabe]

CW - I wonder if we were standing in the same line for Star Wars?

it was 1977 and it rained that night. The tickets I bought were for later shows as the Cinerama couldn't possible hold that many people. I remember being near the front of the line at one point and seeing people coming up from the corner as the line doubled up.

I loved the old open-air movies out in Waianae & Nanakuli. Those were where I saw my first japanese movies - learned to love the old samurai movies. It was also a true experience - bring your own food, share it with the misc. cats, rats & B-52's running around all over the place. But it was a fun experience!

I grew up going to the Waialae Drive in. So sad when I saw it demolished.

Oh man and the Royal Theater. I went to see Mary Poppins when it opened up there.

Queen Theater and Kaimuki Theater had rats so it was suggested that you wear shoes when going to see a movie there.

[Kalihiboy]

Instead of Creating Anudda Thread..... I am posing it As I posted way waaaay back of the now long gone theaters I once trekked at what has it become or who curently uses the space?

Waikiki 1 # 2? Empty. but still sitting intact as far as I know.

Waikiki #3=Is a California Pizza kitchen and Foot Locker now right?

Kuhio Twins - NikeTown, All Star Cafe, all folded,

Cinerama - became a auto shop store, is it still there? YES!!

Varisity - The space went to UH YES!!

Kapiolani - Became A Blockbuster Location, is it still there? YES!!

Pearlridge 4 plex - Became A Medical Facility YES!!

Kam Drive In ? Swap meets on Wed and weekends

Marina Twins - Outback Resturaunt? YES!!

Waialae Drive In ? Self Storage company sits there now I think.

[Kalihiboy]

Queen Theater and Kaimuki Theater had rats so it was suggested that you wear shoes when going to see a movie there.

Queen Theater is barely intact residents have complained of falling debris and worry that someone will get hurt walking under the marquee one day, it's been covered on the news.

Was Kaimuki Theater where 3660 On the Rise is now??

Aj