Liberty Theatre
1179 Nuuanu Avenue,
Honolulu,
HI
96813
1179 Nuuanu Avenue,
Honolulu,
HI
96813
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February 22nd, 1912 grand opening ad in the photo section.
The Liberty/Ye Liberty was where the parking lot is today, across from the old Empress. The Google Map image highlights the Empress.
I went to the Liberty in 1979 or 1980 when it was close to falling apart, but I had seen a kung fu movie there.
This house opened as Ye Liberty Theater on February 22, 1912, with 1,600 seats. The original operator, Young Chun, was involved in a lawsuit which is recorded in legal journals of the time.
The seating capacity is found in various editions of All About Hawaii, an annual publication of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. The house was still listed in the book as Ye Liberty Theater at least as late as 1921.
Here’s a program from the Liberty Theatre from 1916. Liberty Theatre Program
The Liberty theater was located on the block between Nuuanu Ave.& Bethel St. & between Chaplain Lane & Beretania.
One of the back corners was across the street from the old Aloha Bowling Center located on the corner of Bethel st. & Chaplain Lane.
It’s really odd how certain theatres can exist for decades yet seem to slip under the radar. I remember the Liberty as being an old broken-down building with a neon sign yet no marquee. I remember the Empress for its unique design. I’m still looking for pics of Kapiolani & Kapahulu Theatres.
That’s my photograph. It must have been my comment that made Chuck think that. There’s little information about either the Empress or the Liberty theaters in Honolulu. And the address above, leads right to the New Life Church. I’m guessing the Liberty Theater was across the street from the Empress and is now a parking lot.
Chuck, the theatre in that picture looks more like the old Empress Theatre. I sort of remember the Liberty Theatre being situated in between two other buildings.