ISLAND VOICES
Hawaii Theatre leading the way
By Robert R. Midkiff
Chairman, Hawaii Theatre Center
The Hawaii Theatre was disappointed by the recent article and editorial in The Advertiser regarding the Hawaii Theatre and Indigo lease dispute.
Both do an injustice to the Hawaii Theatre Center and its role in revitalizing the downtown/Chinatown neighborhood. The Hawaii Theatre was the pioneer in the revitalization of this area of downtown. The Hawaii Theatre had already invested tens of millions in renovations before the theater invited Glenn Chu to share that vision and his own dreams by opening a restaurant in the building the Hawaii Theatre had acquired as part of its investment in reclaiming downtown.
Since reopening in 1996, the Hawaii Theatre has made a major commitment to the revitalization of the downtown/Chinatown area: $31 million has been invested in restoring the historic landmark and establishing a successful program that brings 135,000 people into the district annually to attend shows.
For the past four years, we have partnered with Communications Pacific to spearhead the establishment of the Honolulu Culture & Arts District Association. There is a community board of directors that has developed a strategic plan and raised $140,000 in grant funds to move this plan forward. A program will provide business training for individuals of low to moderate income and assist in the development of new small businesses in the area.
We are committed to the revitalization of the whole block, including the McLean Building, not limited to it. That plan includes having an excellent restaurant in our McLean Building, be it Indigo or another restaurant. We look forward to working with that establishment to our mutual benefit. If Indigo feels it can move to a better situation elsewhere, we wish it well.
The real story here is the success of the Hawaii Theatre's three capital campaigns, which are within $700,000 of the goal of $32 million. We plan to commence reconstruction next month of the theater's Bethel and Pauahi street facades, including new exterior lighting, a new marquee and vertical "Hawaii" sign. By the end of 2003, a beautifully restored theater facade will greatly enhance the aesthetics of the whole neighborhood.
