Varsity Theater may fall to make way for housing
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
A developer is planning to tear down the landmark Varsity Theater in Mo'ili'ili to build student housing and a commercial complex near the University of Hawai'i campus.
Vincent Shigekuni, a project consultant with PBR Hawai'i for developer Peter Savio, said that construction is a long way off, but it is likely the theater and the Varsity Building next door would be torn down to make way for the development.
"When we had community focus group meetings, we asked them to consider how they felt about the theater coming down," Shigekuni said. "People said they would be sad to see it come down but would like the development to include another movie theater."
The Varsity was built in 1939 and has been known for years as a platform for art-house and foreign films with appeal to the university's clientele.
"It has been there for so long and is a wonderful theater," said E. Rebecca Ryan, executive director of the Mo'ili'ili Community Center.
A number of landmark theaters in Honolulu have been closed or torn down in recent years, often to be replaced by multiplex theaters combined with large commercial centers.
If the Varsity indeed must go, residents said that they hope the character of the theater will survive in the new complex.
Consolidated Theatres owns the 1.7-acre property under consideration. A 1996 plan to redevelop the site failed.
Savio Development's concept would provide 400 rooms for about 800 students, and a retail and commercial space that would fit in with UH President Evan Dobelle's plan to create a "college town" atmosphere at University Avenue and King Street. The idea is to enhance historic Mo'ili'ili while offering more to students, faculty, residents and businesses.
The housing project would be built with private money and ultimately be sold to the university.
"It will add to that student life and implement the vision Dobelle has to make Mo'ili'ili more of a college-town kind of place," Shigekuni said. "Having students right there will help create more of that lifestyle."
Sam Callejo, Dobelle's chief of staff, said that without solid plans, it is premature to make any decision.
"I asked (the developer) to go do their due diligence and talk with the community and come back with a firm proposal I can take to the board of regents," Callejo said.
Shigekuni said he hopes to have something to present to the board in September.
Callejo said the proposal seems to fit the college-town concept, but asked if the Varsity could be included in the project.
"Is it something that really has to be torn down or can they incorporate it into the dormitory or commercial aspect?" he said. "The university used to use the Varsity for lectures and movies in the past. There may be a tie-in where they don't have to tear it down."
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
Correction: A proposed student housing project that would replace the Varsity Theater in Mo'ili'ili would provide 400 rooms for about 800 students. A previous version of this story gave an incorrect figure.
