Hawaii Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hawaii Theatre
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 Location in Hawaii
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| Location | Honolulu, Hawaii |
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| Built | 1922 |
| Architect | Walter Emory, Marshall Webb |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical, Art Deco, Eclectic architecture |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001021 |
| Added to NRHP | 14 November 1978 |
The Hawaii Theatre is a really old and special building in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. It opened way back in 1922! You can find it at 1130 Bethel Street, right near the edge of Chinatown. This theatre is so important that it's listed on both the State and National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
A Look Back: The Theatre's Early Days
When the Hawaii Theatre first opened on September 6, 1922, people were amazed! Local newspapers called it "The Pride of the Pacific." They even said it was as fancy as any theatre in big cities like San Francisco.
This theatre was the main one for Consolidated Amusement Company. It was the biggest and most decorated theatre in Hawaii, with 1,760 seats! The company's offices were also inside the building.
Designing a Grand Theatre
Honolulu architects Walter Emory and Marshall Webb designed this beautiful building. The outside looked like a classic Greek or Roman building, which is called Neoclassical architecture. It also had cool designs from Byzantine, Corinthian, and Moorish styles.
Inside, the theatre was super fancy! It had tall Corinthian columns, a shiny gold dome, and marble statues. There was even an art gallery, soft carpets, and silk decorations. A large painting by Lionel Walden was placed above the proscenium, which is the arch over the stage. The main floor had a wide stage, a single balcony, and special private boxes.
Changes to the Outside Look
When it first opened, the theatre had a simple cover over the entrance. It also had a small sign that listed what was playing. In 1938, a much bigger sign was added. This new sign had the largest neon light display in all of Hawaii!
What Shows Did They Have?
In the 1920s, the Hawaii Theatre showed both Vaudeville acts and silent films. Vaudeville was a type of show with many different acts, like singers, dancers, and comedians.
The theatre had its own full orchestra for live shows. It also had a large pipe organ, called a Robert-Morton organ. This organ played music to go along with the silent films. After "talkies" (movies with sound) became popular, the theatre mostly showed movies until the 1960s.
Saving the Theatre: A Community Effort
Starting in the 1960s, people began going to other places for fun and shopping. This meant fewer people came to the Hawaii Theatre. By the 1970s and early 1980s, not many people were visiting.
In 1984, the theatre closed. People worried it might be torn down! But a group of volunteers, who loved the theatre's pipe organ, decided to save it. They formed a group called the Hawaii Theatre Center. This group worked hard to raise money.
Bringing the Theatre Back to Life
In 1986, the Hawaii Theatre Center bought the theatre and some buildings next to it. A big project to fix up the inside started in 1994. An architecture firm from New York City helped with the plans.
The theatre reopened in 1996, looking beautiful again! Work on the outside continued until 2005. The large neon sign from 1938, which had worn out, was rebuilt and put back up. It now has cool new electronic display panels.
The Theatre Today: A Place for Arts and Awards
Today, the Hawaii Theatre is a very popular place for live shows and concerts. It's a successful center for performing arts.
The theatre has won many important awards:
- In 2005, it was named the "Outstanding Historic Theatre in America."
- In 2006, it won the highest "Honor Award" for saving historic places.
- Also in 2006, it received an award for good business practices.
The Hawaii Theatre is the only historic theatre left in Honolulu that is still open and active. You can even take guided tours to see all its amazing features!
Gallery
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Proscenium and stage
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Interior, left sidewall
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Robert-Morton theatre organ (1922)
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Ceiling dome
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Hamlet in bas-relief in balcony
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Lionel Waldren mural above proscenium, "The Procession of the Drama"
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Merchant of Venice in bas-relief in balcony
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Decorative exterior windows
