Consolidated Theatres today raised ticket prices statewide, including a popcorn-dropping increase of $1 for "peak capacity" general admission tickets for select weekend shows at its Ward Stadium 16 complex.

The new $9 general admission at Ward will only be for shows after 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, said Eileen Mortenson, spokeswoman for Consolidated. Ticket prices for all other general admission shows at Ward are unaffected, she said.

None of the chain's other theaters will increase general admission prices, she said.

Most of the chain's general admission tickets cost $8. Some Neighbor Island theaters charge $8.50 and the chain's 'Aikahi Theatre charges $7.75, she said.

Consolidated's "discount" tickets ­ those for seniors, children, military personnel and matinees ­ will increase at all of its 12 theaters, Mortenson said. Those prices will go up by 25, 50 or 75 cents depending on the theater.

The reason for the increase?

"The Hawai'i audience is a strong movie-going community and our prices are still well below Mainland prices," Mortenson said.

In some cities, such as Los Angeles, general admission tickets are $10 and $11 at "peak capacity" shows, she said.

"With the high cost of living here and the high cost of doing business, this state still has a lower cost of going to the movies," Mortenson said.