Waikiki 1 & 2
333 Seaside Avenue,
Honolulu,
HI
96815
333 Seaside Avenue,
Honolulu,
HI
96815
6 people
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The May 19, 1969, grand opening date cited in the overview as I write this comment is incorrect. The correct opening date (for Screen 1) per trade reports and Honolulu newspaper coverage was September 23rd, 1970. (Screen 2 opened a bit later.).
Also, a slight correction/clarification is needed for the world premiere of “Tora! Tora! Tora!” claim since technically it was a co-world premiere as the film premiered simultaneously* in four cities (Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, Honolulu).
*The premieres weren’t literally simultaneous because of, obviously, time zone differences between the four premiere locales.
Opened with the World premiere of “Tora! Tora! Tora!”. Reopened with “Star wars episode 1 the phantom menace”.
New Showcase Presentations in Honolulu article includes mention of the numerous 70mm presentations here and at other Honolulu cinemas.
September 23rd, 1970 and May 19th, 1999 grand opening ads in the photo section.
Thanks for that info Vito. I do not blame the company for closing these wonderful theatres. After all they are here to make money and have to survive.
I do however blame the moronic people for abandoning these theatres in the favor of shoe box multiplexes which as you said in the Cinerama page, are nothing more than screening rooms.
And that is exactly what todays generation deserves, to see films in little boxes rather than real theatres.
Nice picture sartana. you will notice the open projection booth window. Before they started showing advertising slides during intermission we had a curtain that would close in front of that window so you could not see into the booth. Then at the start of the show when the lights went down and the show began the curtain would open as a part of the opening automation procedure.
A nice picture of Waikiki 2 auditorium from 1999 when the HPS-4000 sound systems went through a major upgrade. From HPS website
Waikiki 2
I made a huge mistake one night. I asked for one ticket only which made my wife very angry. ONE PLEASE!
When I visited my wife who was stationed at Tripler, we went and saw Final Countdown here. When I was stationed at Schofield, Saturday nights was dinner at Tanaka’s of Tokyo then off to see a movie here. Good times.
Thanks CodyZamboni for the great photos & film list. I loved the way this theatre was built, although Waikiki 3 was my favorite theatre. I saw a lot of those movies you mentioned at the twins myself, although I didn’t know that “Halloween” played there…I think I saw that movie at the Nanakuli Cinema…
I saw RAMBO III and COMING TO AMERICA there while on vacation in 1988… Great theater!
Appears I was successful in uploading the photos. Some of the great movies I saw at Waikiki 1 and 2. The End, Hooper, Midnight Express, Halloween, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, California Suite, The Deer Hunter, The China Syndrome, Manhattan, The Brood, 10, And Justice For All, Kramer vs Kramer, The Changeling, Somewhere in Time, 9 to 5, Altered States, Excalibur, Superman 2, An American Werewolf in London, Heavy Metal, Taps, Shoot the Moon, The Road Warrior, Rocky 3, ET, The Verdict, Bluw Thunder, Wargames, Risky Business, The Right Stuff, Sudden Impact, Blame it on Rio, Romancing the Stone, Police Academy, Sixteen Candles, Star Trek 3 : Search for Spock, Ghostbusters, Red Dawn, Beverly Hills Cop, Starman, The Killing Fields, Rambo First Blood Part 2, Cocoon, Return of the Living Dead, To Live and Die in LA, Young Sherlock Holmes, Jewel of the Nile, The Color Purple, Top Gun, Aliens, Three Amigos, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, The Living Daylights, Baby Boom, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Wall Street, Beetlejuice, Die Hard, Lethal Weapon 2, Christmas Vacation
Thank you for doing so, CodyZamboni. I think I went to more films at the 1 & 2 than the main 3.
Growing up on Oahu, this was my favorite first run theatre location in the late 70’s, and throughout the 1980’s. So many good movies. Well designed theatres. Ample parking in the 10 story structure behind the theatre. I’m going to attempt to upload some photos from February 1994. Enjoy.
Both auditriums had 70mm capability and occassionally used for Roadshow reserved seat attractions such as “Tora Tora Tora”