Hawaii Theater, Honolulu

When Hawaii Theater first opened its doors in 1922, it earned the nickname “The Pride of the Pacific,” placing it on par with theaters in San Francisco and New York. The building was designed by Honolulu-based architects Walter Emory and Marshall Webb. The exterior of the theater features elements of Neoclassical architecture, while the interior reflects Beaux-Arts aesthetics.

The theater’s exterior displays ornamental details inspired by Byzantine, Corinthian, and Moorish architectural styles. Once inside the lobby, look upward the richly ornamented ceiling and the grand staircase leading to the mezzanine. Continue into the auditorium and pause near the center aisle for the best overall view. Above you rises the theater's magnificent gilded dome, surrounded by elaborate plasterwork inspired by Beaux-Arts design. Along both sides of the auditorium, notice the Corinthian columns supporting decorative balconies, while marble statues and silk-covered wall panels contribute to the luxurious atmosphere. Before taking your seat, look toward the proscenium arch framing the stage, then turn toward the rear of the auditorium to admire Lionel Walden's mural decorating the back wall.

During its early years, the theater presented silent films and vaudeville performances, eventually transitioning into a movie theater that operated until the 1960s. However, as the island’s entertainment hub shifted from Honolulu to Waikīkī, the theater fell into neglect and eventually closed its doors in 1984. Determined to preserve this historic landmark, citizens of Hawaii rallied together and established the nonprofit Hawaii Theater Center to acquire the property and undertake extensive renovations. These efforts proved highly successful, and Hawaii Theater was later named the “Outstanding Historic Theater in America” by the League of Historic American Theaters.