Posted on: Friday, November 5, 2004
Restored Hawai'i Theatre will shine
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
To mark the completion of the exterior restoration at the historic Hawai'i Theatre on Bethel Street, the new marquee will be lighted entirely for the first time at 8 p.m today.
Advertiser library photo The Hawai'i Theatre, built in 1922, closed in 1989 and reopened in 1996 after a $22 million interior restoration. Tonight's ceremony marks the conclusion of the 18-month $10 million project to restore the exterior facade and install the marquee and 30-foot-high vertical "Hawaii" sign at the corner of Bethel and Pauahi streets.
Theater president Sarah Richards said the exterior now has the same overall look as it had in 1936 except that the marquee has electronic lettering rather than hand-mounted lettering.
"It looks complete now and shows this really is an active, vibrant theater," Richards said. "We've had lots of comments on how beautiful it is. In some cases people remember the old sign and say it brings back memories."
• Who: The Hawai'i Theatre Center • What: "Light Up the Hawai'i" celebration • When: 7:30 p.m. today • Why: To light the new marquee and celebrate the completion of exterior renovations. • Info: Call 528-0506 or visit www.hawaiitheatre.com. The sidewalk in front of the theater was also widened by 4 feet to make entry easier, she said.
Bethel Street will be closed to vehicle traffic tonight. The free outdoor lighting event begins at 7:30 p.m. Entertainment includes the Royal Hawaiian Band, led by bandmaster Aaron Mahi; soloists Cathy Foy and Nina Kealiiwahamana; Tony Conjugacion chanting the Hawai'i Theatre's oli inoa; Halau Hula O Kawaili'ula, led by kumu Chinky Mahoe; lion dancers from Kuo Min Tang Physical Culture Association and Lung Kong Physical Culture Club; and music by the Celtic Pipes and Drums. The Hilton Hawaiian Village Guard will conduct the installation of colors.
ART DOGS, a fund-raiser to defray the costs of printing the new Gallery Walk Map and First Friday events, will sell hot dogs in the Chinatown Gateway Park next to the theater.
Kim Coffee-Isaak, managing director at art gallery The ARTS at Marks Garage, said a new map is needed because five new shops have opened since the last printing and there are 24 galleries and art venues participating in the monthly event.
"We are very excited, thrilled and happy to have this last step of the exterior renovation completed and celebrated," Coffee-Isaak said. "It is beautiful."
Richards said a third phase to renovate the backstage area of the theater will begin next year and is expected to cost about $5 million.
"That will allow us to bring in bigger shows," she said. "We haven't decided exactly what it is going to look like yet. There is no question we are going to do it, it is just a question of when."
Reach James Gonser at 535-2431 or jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com.
The "Light Up the Hawai'i" event will be part of the free monthly "First Friday" art gallery walk in Chinatown.
Hawai'i Theatre's new marquee is among several exterior upgrades to the theater in the past 18 months. Theater president Sarah Richards says the exterior now has the same look as it had in 1936.
Richards said the new sign is better because it allows people walking or driving by to learn about several events quickly, and it has helped improve attendance since being put into operation recently.
LIGHT FUN
