A historic theater in Kaimuki may be getting an encore.
The Queen theater first opened its doors in the 1936. But after years of dwindling ticket sales, the theater closed its doors. Currently the building is privately owned, not on the historic register, and slowly falling apart from neglect, and age. A few stores, rent the spaces along the street, but its 850 seat theater sits empty. But for many residents, it’s a link to Kaimuki’s past, as well as a landmark sitting on top the hill, and now a group of supporters is trying to save the Queen. The Friends of Queen Theater is a community group that’s working to restore the space to a multi-purpose venue. They’ve been organizing lawmakers, neighborhood boards, and the buildings reclusive owner to discuss options for restoration, and possibly reopening. Nancy Wilcox is the president of the Board of Directors of Friends of the Queen Theater.
For more information or to get involved visit Friends of Queen Theater or read it's history at Hawaii Historic Foundation.
