HANAPEPE — When Lynn Danaher heard about the Aloha Theatre, how it had closed in 1981, how it had been in disrepair for decades, and how it was in the heart of Hanapepe, she recognized one thing: “An extraordinary opportunity.”
So in February 2019, she bought it.
Now, she’s in the midst of renovating it, and believes it will be a “massive economic driver” that could create jobs and add vitality to the town.
The $3.5 million development calls for the Aloha Theatre Inn to have about 15 rooms, a restaurant, cafe, shops, gallery spaces, laundry room and office. It will have a courtyard with an open-roof concept.
There will be solar panels installed on the new roof.
Danaher describes it as “a truly unique boutique hotel.”
To date the theatre has been stabilized, cleared of debris, and portions of the facade that were failing have been removed and replaced. A new roof has been completed, and the facade stucco has been repaired and replaced.
Work is on hold for now, as Danaher awaits additional funding. She said she has qualified for a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Economic Development loan.
Best-case scenario, the Aloha Theatre Inn could be open in 18 months, and Danaher hopes to soon begin negotiating leases.
She has been in the business of restoring historic buildings for 20 years.
“I like to stay busy,” she said.
Ed Justus, owner of The Talk Story Bookstore, said having a restored Aloha Theatre 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 creating economic viability of 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 this on Aug. 18, 2019: “On Sunday, Oct. 4, 1936, dedication services for the newly constructed Aloha Theater on Hanapepe Road were conducted by the Rev. Shinkan Tahara, the Shinto priest of the Lawa‘i Shinto Temple.
“And, on the following Saturday, Oct. 10, Aloha Theater opened, with its main attraction being the premiere performance of a one-week engagement of the Franchon &Marco Franchonettes direct from Honolulu — in what was to be the first-ever complete stage show seen on Kaua‘i.
“Designed by Honolulu architect Fred Fujioka and built at a cost of $40,000, Aloha Theater was also the first theater on Kaua‘i equipped for stage performances.
“Aloha Theater, a steel-and-concrete structure with stucco front, featured a seating capacity of 675, an interior completely lined with acoustical material, a balcony, a stage of 19 feet 6 inches by 36 feet, and a moving picture screen, all of which was cooled and ventilated by modern, up-to-date equipment.
“Kaua‘i Amusement Company owned 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 intention was to show for profit first-run films from the United States and talkies from Japan, bring in vaudeville troupes every few weeks, and be open for amateur theatrical performances.
“Flash flooding of the Hanapepe River damaged Aloha Theater on three occasions.
“It was flooded over the stage level in 1948, another flash flood in 1949 made its interior look like a swimming pool, and in 1957 the theater’s seats were flooded completely underwater.
“Aloha Theater closed in 1981, but is now undergoing renovation designed to convert it into a smaller theater with event space, shops, a restaurant, a cafe and a gallery.”
Aloha Theatre Hui
Danaher and son Ryan Bennett formed LLC Malcom Street Properties (MSP) in 2007, named for their first joint venture. Doing business as Aloha Theatre Hui, they purchased the Aloha Theatre in Hanapepe on Feb. 14, 2019.
She said MSP has been dedicated to preserving historic buildings in the small island town of Friday Harbor, Wash.
She said they have “applied adaptive-reuse principals, demonstrating that it is possible to create a positive cash flow while insuring the building’s historic preservation.”
Two of the structures they renovated were moved to a new site in order to save them from demolition.
Danaher said she has completed eight previous restorations/conversions of historical structures “while maintaining original character, creating viable commercial endeavors.
“My concept is simple: save the historic structure by restoration and adapting it to contemporized needs by using sound environmental and economic principals,” she wrote.
Restoration work
As restoration has continued, Danaher found that much of the building was salvageable, but a large portion was in extreme decay.
Fortunately, the theater’s concrete foundation is sound and will be utilized during the rebuild, and the steel super- structure is in good shape.
The front facade, marquee and sign will be restored true to their original, art-deco style.
There will be solar panels installed on the new roof.
“Our intention is to surgically dismantle the portions of the building that need to be repaired and stabilized,” she wrote. “Each piece will be carefully stored on site for reuse during the reconstruction. The entire ground floor will be elevated to the street level of Hanapepe Road.”
The plan is to build two stories within the footprint with a center open courtyard filled with canoe plants and information placards. The courtyard will be surrounded by rooms.
Danaher said many locals have told her the Aloha Theatre is essential to the town’s re-development, and she is confident it will have a major impact.
“Restoration of this important structure will affect a resurgence of interest in Hanapepe, as the Aloha Theatre is the centerpiece of the town,” she wrote. “This will lead to further revitalization of the downtown core, creating more economic opportunities for local residents of the Westside.”
Hanapepe is such a special place – so good to hear about Aloha Theater!!! Hanapepe needs to have the river berms elevated by 4 feet to protect from future floods… we need money to protect this town ,,,, no need spend money to protect natural wetlands in Kekaha!!!!
Please step up all over Kauai and save our plantation homes and buildings, bridges and ambiance of a casual living environment that has a creative atmosphere….
There’s plenty of grants and low interest rates for historic RESTORATION and economic development that local people need to participate in…..
Wonderful project, mahalo. Hoping the hotel and businesses do not create too much late night noise and traffic. Hanapepe is a sleepy town and probably should remain that way.