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Toyo Theater Honolulu
Home | International Market Place | Toyo Theater | Kodak Hula Show | Kyoto Gardens | Remembering Hawaii From The Past
Home | International Market Place | Toyo Theater | Kodak Hula Show | Kyoto Gardens | Remembering Hawaii From The Past
The Toyo Theatre opened June 16, 1938, designed by noted Hawaii architect C.W. Dickey. The theatre was located on College Walk near Beretania Street and served the Japanese population in Honolulu’s Chinatown. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the theatre was renamed Aala Theater on December 31, 1941 and presented English language movies only. It reverted back to the Toyo Theatre name after the end of World War II. The theatre presented both live shows and movies, though by the late-1960’s and early-1970’s. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Imagine walking on a japanse walkway with koi fish swimming beside the walkways and japanse lanterns hanging obove you that are lit at night, The inside of The Toyo Theatre. Imagine ceramic plates hanging on the walls and ceilings inside the movie theatre. The theatre would show old japanse samurai movies and old obake movies with english subtitles. An experience when going to the movies was as important as watching one was.
