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Hawaii Theatre Center
Rating Details »
Categories: Cinema, Performing Arts, Local Flavor, Music Venues [Edit]
1130 Bethel StHonolulu, HI 96813
(808) 528-0506
12 reviews for Hawaii Theatre Center
Isn't this place GORGEOUS? Wow...we came here for one of the hula conference shows...a simply breathe taking venue. The place carries sound very well. The lights and spots are right on. It had a very simple elegance and is very clean as well.
However...the AC is blasting more on the left side than the right...interesting. I like that they sell everything outside in those little mini-bars. The lady was very nice to give us ice cubes to drop in the coffee because intermission was almost over.
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The Hawaii Theatre is our state's most historic and BEAUTIFUL performance space! The restored Hawaii Theatre reminds me of one of America's finest theatres of old and is in the style of a Broadway house. It is primarily a road house so all kinds of dance and musical acts, and stage productions pass through Hawaii Theatre. It is also great for Hawaiian music and dance and family theater productions!
The little bar in the lobby isn't bad either.
I have been to a lot of venues in my life. I know the ins and outs of most of the venues in LA. So, when I went to see Eddie Vedder at the Hawaii Theatre Center, I guess I didn't really know what to expect. For those who may read this and be from LA. This place looks just like the Fonda, but with seats. The sound in the building was good, the staff was helpful. But despite how much I liked the theater and I liked the show, I do want to mention the following things. One, security is pretty bad here. Not like they are bad in LA, where these robotic like guards forcefully check your purse and make you throw out all of your gum, sharpies and make you take your belt back to your car. No this is the other type of bad... as in not very efficient. I didn't get checked upon entering. Just about everyone in the audience had a camera, but apparently we were not supposed to use them. Next time, put up a sign or tell people as they enter. I don't need someone who looks like The Rock's body double coming at me for taking a picture of the stage. Finally, post someone at the backstage door. Like seriously, I just walked right in. Now granted I had a backstage pass and I was supposed to be there, but no one ever even asked. No one even checked. Last but not least, when you have a sold out function, I suggest you have a few more bars open, and perhaps you should staff multiple bartenders, and bartenders that are not like 75 years old. It took FOREVER to get a drink. I mean, you are in the business of making money, and you can't take drinks into the theater, which means you need people to consume as many as they can before the show. If they could get a drink a bit faster, I am guessing you would sell more.
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elegant, comfortable, easy to access and amazing staff and shows!
The Hawaii Theatre is simply beautiful and elegant. I love going to events here. In hindsight, however, I wish they had made the seats a little roomier. Sometimes it is a tight squeeze and a bit uncomfortable when the theatre is full - and it is almost always completely filled up.
Another wonderful addition to the theatre would be valet parking! Woo hooo!
I love, love, love the fact that the theatre has a website and you can buy tickets online - it's very easy and convenient and you can have the theatre mail the tickets directly to your home or leave them at will call.
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January 5, 2005: My husband and I were in Hawai'i on our honeymoon and we were cruising around in our cool Mustang convertible when we decided to park and watch the sunset. The radio was on, crooning old Hawai'ian favorites while we sat and watched the colors fade.
When the station broke for commercials, an ad for the Hawai'i Theater came on. Garrison Keillor was performing there. We thought, hey, it's the Prairie Home Companion dude! Let's check it out!
We drove to the theater and begged the guy at the ticket booth to let us in. Unfortunately it was sold out, and tickets were only offered to members of PBS. But the guy was sweet and told us to wait and see if there were any no-shows. There were two seats on opposite ends of the theater, but we took them anyway.
The theater was restored from it's original, battered state, and it was really beautiful. They did an excellent job with the renovation, which took quite a while. But it was well worth the wait. The building itself is a part of Hawai'i's sad history, and standing inside I felt very nostalgic and even a tad bittersweet. If you know anything about Hawai'i's history, you'll understand why.
The show was very entertaining, if your a Garrison Keillor fan. There was music from some of the best local Hawai'ian music performers, like George Kahumoku (who is an amazing storyteller), Noelani Mahoe & the Leo Nahenahe Singers and Ledward Ka'apana. There is something about Hawai'ian music that makes me melt...it can be uplifting and spiritual, or sweet and sad.
After the show, we actually got backstage and met Garrison Keillor, who was 6 feet tall and stocky. He talked our ears off for about half an hour about SF and his visits there over the years. I don't know if this seems like anything to be excited about to anyone else, but to us it was one super cool night for us newlyweds.
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By far one of the most beautiful theatres that I have ever been in.
I've been here for two very memorable shows: Stomp back in 1996, and Jason Mraz in 2005.
I can still vividly remember walking up as a teenager for Stomp, and looking up like the kid I was in amazement at the beautiful architecture of the place. The cold air conditioning hitting my face as the curtain whooshed open. Ground floor seating rules.
Then I distinctly remember trying to find my seats on the balcony for Jason Mraz, forgetting that people were standing behind me for second as I stopped because it was just breathtaking. Balcony seating rules.
So here's what I remember from that:
Jason Mraz: "I love how you guys say 'mahalo' out here...'thank you' has this inflection of 'f*ck you', but not 'mahalo', it's very lovey and pretty.
(5 minutes later in a quiet moment)
Candice: (screaming) I LOVE YOU!
Jason Mraz: (bowing his head) Mahalo.
So awesome.
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I think I had some graduation related event here... for some reason I can't recall...
I better finish this review before my ADHD kicks in again. This place is beautiful. The renovation did wonders for this place. It's totally classy, and nicer than any other "hall" or "center" or "hallcenter" that I've ever been to. For SF people, think Orpheum, but more Renaissance or Baroque or whatever my high school art history teacher would call it.
I saw Stomp here back when Stomp was in its prime. It was a pretty cool experience. I also saw the military bands play here. Very nice and patriotic event.
I remember a nude woman sprawled in the decor (or was it wishful thinking?). Just tell your kids not to look up...
2005 Winner of the League of Historic American Theatres, "Outstanding Historic Theatre" designation.
All you who have never been here for an event will be pleased. I never thought that Honolulu had such a beautiful theater!
I came here a while ago for a free concert for the military. I was expecting just your everyday theater. WOW! Was I surprised at how beautiful this place was. It made me so proud that such a nice place was still in Honolulu.
The Carnegie Hall of the Pacific, it opened in 1922 as a showcase for organ concerts, vaudeville acts, and silent movies. Following a slow but steady decline, it shuttered its doors in 1989, but concerned residents, anxious to preserve a bit of local history, raised enough funds to spare it from demolition and restore it to its original glory in a project that took four years and $22 million. The rich interior of the neo-classical beaux-arts landmark features gilded columns and grillwork, ruby-toned tapestries, and restored murals. There is ample spacing between rows, providing generous legroom, and the parterre section to the rear of the orchestra is on a slight incline, resulting in elevated views of the stage. The theatre hosts a wide variety of events, including touring Broadway productions, cultural dance performances, films, classical and pop concerts, and the Hawaii International Jazz Festival.
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beautiful theatre. love it!
Recently saw "Menopause, The Musical" here. The Hawaii Theater puts many Broadway, NY theaters to shame. I hope to see more live productions here--it is breathtaking.
