Right here on your left, you’re facing one of Honolulu’s true crown jewels: the Hawaii Theatre. If you’re getting a whiff of old-school glamour, you’re not imagining it. Opened back in 1922, this ornate beauty used to be called “The Pride of the Pacific,” and you can almost hear the echoes of its sold-out opening night, way back when silent films and vaudeville shows ruled the day.
Now, picture yourself here in the Roaring Twenties: gentlemen in crisp suits, ladies in flapper dresses, everyone abuzz as they walk under the original modest canopy and vertical glowing sign-just a taste of the neon, which got a serious upgrade in the late ‘30s. Inside, you were hit with marble statues, silk hangings, plush carpets, and a massive mural hanging above the stage. Architects Emory and Webb went all out-a mix-and-match of Neoclassical, Byzantine, Moorish... throw in a dash of anything glittery or gold, and you’ll get the vibe.
The seats-1,760 of ‘em-were plush and inviting, and you’d get live performances from a full orchestra or the grand Robert-Morton pipe organ. And if you’re wondering, that whole set-up didn’t come cheap-though exact figures are hard to nail down, the original cost was easily in the high six figures, which today lands you somewhere north of 15 million bucks. Not exactly small potatoes.
But like any good drama, there’s a twist. By the late 1900s, new malls and multiplexes pulled crowds away, and the Hawaii Theatre fell on hard times-eventually closing its doors in 1984. It came dangerously close to being lost for good, but Honolulu locals weren’t having it. A group of pipe organ enthusiasts and preservationists rallied, raised serious cash, and brought the grand old dame back from the brink. After a massive renovation-think chandeliers polished, murals restored, even a replica of that famous neon marquee-it reopened in 1996, earning some serious national awards for historic preservation.
Today, the Hawaii Theatre is back in business, hosting concerts, plays, and even the Honolulu Symphony. If you’ve ever wanted to step into living history and plush velvet seats, this is the place.
When you’re ready for more, just head southeast for five minutes to reach Merchant Street Historic District.
