Toyo Theatre
1230 College Walk,
Honolulu,
HI
96817
1230 College Walk,
Honolulu,
HI
96817
2 people
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The Toyo Theatre opened in 1938, designed by noted Hawaii architect C.W. Dickey. The theater was located on College Walk near Beretania Street and served the Japanese population in Honolulu’s Chinatown. The theater presented both live shows and movies, though by the late-1960’s and early-1970’s it was showing adult movies.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Further information on the Toyo would be appreciated.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
An example of Edo period architectural style, it was modeled after the famous Ieyaso Shrine in Nikko, Japan. (National Park Service – cultural resources programs)
scenichawaii.org successfully fought to save the theatre from demolition. They probably have a lot of information on the history.
TC: I just visited scenichawaii.org and will look to see if I can find out any Hawaiian theatre history. I’ve been studying all of the Dickey Hawaiian theatres and am so sad that the Waikiki is now committed to the history books….and all for a Foot Locker and a California Pizza restaurant!
The Toyo Theatre was opened by the Consolidated Amusement Co. on 16th June 1938. It was aparently briefly re-named the AALA Theatre in 1949-1950.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Toyo Theatre ** (added 1982 – Building – #82004997)
1230 College Walk, Honolulu
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Dickey,C.W.
Architectural Style: Other
Area of Significance: Architecture, Asian
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater
It was the most beautiful theater that I have ever
been to. I really wish that they’d kept it up & restored it.
I have very good memories of watching Samurai movies there in the late 50’s, early 60’s.
There’s some good footage of the Toyo in the 1988 movie Aloha Summer.