The renovation of the theater could give Hanapepe an economic boost

HANAPEPE – When Lynn Danaher of the Aloha Theater heard how it closed in 1981, how it had been derelict for decades, and how it lay in the heart of Hanapepe, she realized one thing: “An exceptional opportunity.”

So she bought it in February 2019.

Now in the midst of renovation, she believes it will be a “massive economic engine” that could create jobs and bring vitality to the city.

The $3.5 million development requires the Aloha Theater Inn to have approximately 15 rooms, a restaurant, coffee shop, shops, gallery space, laundry room and an office. It will have an open roof concept courtyard.

Solar panels will be installed on the new roof.

Danaher describes it as “a truly unique boutique hotel.”

To date, the theater has been stabilized, debris cleared and portions of the facade that failed have been removed and replaced. A new roof was completed and the facade stucco was repaired and replaced.

Work is on hold for now as Danaher awaits additional funding. She said she qualified for a US Department of Agriculture loan for rural economic development.

In the best-case scenario, the Aloha Theater Inn could open in 18 months, and Danaher hopes to begin lease negotiations soon.

She has been involved in the restoration of historic buildings for 20 years.

“I like to keep busy,” she said.

Ed Justus, owner of The Talk Story bookstore, said a restored Aloha Theater Inn on Hanapepe Road “would be like a heart transplant for Hanapepe”.

He said Danaher has shown passion for the project.

“It would be great for Hanapepe,” he said.

Danaher agrees.

“I look forward to working with all of you towards our common goal of preserving, restoring and making commercially viable this significant historic building in Hanapepe,” she said.

theater history

Hank Soboleski, who writes a weekly history column for The Garden Island (elsewhere in today’s paper), wrote on August 18, 2019: “Sunday, October 4, 1936, dedication service for the newly constructed Aloha Theater in the Hanapepe Road were conducted by Rev. Shinkan Tahara, the Shinto priest of Lawa’i Shinto Temple.

“And the following Saturday, October 10th, the Aloha Theater opened, the main attraction of which was the premiere of a week-long engagement by the Franchon & Marco Franchonettes direct from Honolulu – in the first full stage show ever seen in Kaua’i.

“Designed by Honolulu architect Fred Fujioka and built at a cost of $40,000, the Aloha Theater was also Kaua’i’s first theater equipped for stage performances.

“The Aloha Theater, a steel and concrete structure with a stucco facade, featured a seating capacity of 675, an interior fully lined with acoustic material, a balcony, a 19ft 6” by 36ft stage and a moving screen. all this was cooled and ventilated by modern, up-to-date devices.

“The Kaua’i Amusement Company owned the Aloha Theater.

“George Katsuto Watase was its manager and director, Shigezo Nakao its president, Kenichi Fujimoto first vice president, Edward Watase secretary, Yoshio Sagawa treasurer, and Yoshizo Yamagata and Sakae Yoshioka auditors.

“Their intentions were to show premieres of films from the United States and talkies from Japan for profit, to invite variety companies every few weeks, and to be open to amateur theatrical performances.

“The flash floods of the Hanapepe River damaged the Aloha Theater three times.

“In 1948 the stage level was flooded, another flash flood in 1949 left the interior looking like a swimming pool, and in 1957 the theater’s seats were completely submerged.

“The Aloha Theater closed in 1981 but is currently undergoing renovations to convert it into a smaller theater with event space, shops, a restaurant, cafe and gallery.”

Aloha Theater Hui

Danaher and his son Ryan Bennett formed LLC Malcom Street Properties (MSP) in 2007, named after their first joint venture. Under the name of Aloha Theater Hui, they bought the Aloha Theater in Hanapepe on February 14, 2019.

She said MSP is dedicated to preserving historic buildings in the small island town of Friday Harbor, Washington.

She said they “applied principles of adaptive reuse and demonstrated that it is possible to create positive cash flow while ensuring the historical preservation of the building.”

Two of the buildings they renovated were moved to a new location to save them from demolition.

Danaher said she has completed eight previous restorations/remodels of historic structures “while maintaining original character and creating viable commercial ventures.

“My concept is simple: save the historic structure through restoration and adapt it to contemporary needs using sound ecological and economic principles,” she wrote.

restoration work

As the restoration continued, Danaher found that much of the building was still salvageable, but a large portion was in extreme disrepair.

Fortunately, the theater’s concrete foundation is solid and will be used during the reconstruction, and the steel structure is in good condition.

The front facade, the marquee and the sign are faithfully restored in the Art Deco style.

Solar panels will be installed on the new roof.

“Our intention is to surgically dismantle the parts of the building that need to be repaired and stabilized,” she wrote. “Each piece is carefully stored on site to be reused during reconstruction. The entire ground floor will be raised to street level on Hanapepe Road.”

It is planned to build two stories within the footprint with an open courtyard in the middle filled with canoe plants and information boards. The courtyard will be surrounded by rooms.

Danaher said many locals have told her that the Aloha Theater is essential to the city’s redevelopment and she is confident it will have a major impact.

“The restoration of this important structure will revitalize interest in Hanapepe as the Aloha Theater is the heart of the city,” she wrote. “This will lead to further revitalization of the downtown core and create more economic opportunities for Westside residents.”