Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: The Waikiki IMAX is now history!

This is topic The Waikiki IMAX is now history! in forum Large Format Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 07-08-2003, 02:34 PM:

Consolidated Theatres, a division of Pacific Theatres closed the Waikiki IMAX Theatre this past Sunday and the Waikiki district of Honolulu no longer has any motion picture theatres anymore. There was a time when going to Waikiki to see a movie was a special event but not anymore. [Frown]

The only IMAX theatre in Hawaii now is the one at the Polynesian Centre on the north shore of Oahu in Laie. Although the tourist trade supported the Waikiki IMAX theatre on a limited basis, local stayed away because there were no free parking and people felt that the admission price was too expensive for most 45 minute IMAX movies. Even when regular movies like "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, LION KING, STAR WARS Episode II and MATRIX RELOADED was formatted in IMAX and shown that way, many did not feel it was worth the effort and expense to go to Waikiki to see them no matter how impressive the presentation was. At least I still can look forward to awesome film presentations at the Ward 16 but it is very sad when theatres that were much better than the Ward are only a pleasant memory now. [Frown]

-Claude

Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 07-08-2003, 03:09 PM:

Is there no chance that some other company may buy the theater and reopen it?

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 07-08-2003, 03:50 PM:

Michael,

The Waikiki IMAX was originally built and operated by Destination Cinema on land that was leased to them by Consolidated. The theatre itself was purchased by Consolidated a few years ago when Destination Cinema pulled out. Consolidated has a history of never selling any of it's theatres to a competitor so there is no way the IMAX theatre will continue to operate as is. It will be converted to a retail market venue and be part of a shopping complex along with's it now defunct sister theatres, the Waikiki Twins and the Waikiki 3. The Twins and the IMAX will not be demolished but the Waikiki #3 will face the wrecking ball very soon. [Frown]

-Claude

Posted by Chris Markiewicz (Member # 1415) on 07-08-2003, 03:53 PM:

Claude, didn't Wallace's Enchanted Lake (Kailua) location also just close?
-Chris

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 07-08-2003, 04:45 PM:

Hi Chris

Yes, the Honolulu Advertiser also reported in the same news article about the Waikiki IMAX closing this morning that the Wallace Enchanted Lake Cinema also closed. I have never liked Wallace Theatres ever since I found out that they never made an effort to "do Film Right' when I used to go to their Restaurant Row Theatres and the announcement about the closing of their Enchanted Lake Cinema never bothered me.

-Claude

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 07-08-2003, 05:16 PM:

Damn ... both Imax theaters there just received a regular audio service. This must have come out of left field.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 07-08-2003, 07:06 PM:

My experience has been that companies sometimes continue with "business as usual", even though they know they're going to pull the plug, to avoid "spooking" the employees and triggering a mass exit. [Frown]

Posted by Christopher Seo (Member # 7) on 07-09-2003, 01:35 AM:

Yes, it seems that for some companies at least, everything comes out of left field.

I will be visiting Hawaii in just two weeks and was really looking forward to seeing the last remaining theatre I had worked before moving. Now I will just be delivering the eulogy for Waikiki Twins, #3, and now IMAX....

Guess you really can't go home again. [Frown]

Posted by Paul Cassidy (Member # 951) on 07-09-2003, 02:42 AM:

Sorry to hear Claude , here in Auckland they have turned the Old IMAX into the MEGA Screen .

Posted by Paul Trimboli (Member # 1509) on 07-09-2003, 08:22 AM:

The IMAX here in Perth closed last year, and they ran things as normal right up to the day they closed. It is now sitting there with all equipment still in place, computers still in the box office. The theatre is a very modern place and was very film done right. The place was up for sale for ages, its now sold and is up for rent. Wish I had the money! [Cool]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-09-2003, 03:11 PM:

I don't see how any Imax makes money.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-09-2003, 05:11 PM:

For many museums the Imax (or other large format) theatre is a main revenue source for the entire faciliy

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 07-09-2003, 08:59 PM:

I don't understand how any business makes money.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-09-2003, 11:18 PM:

quote:
For many museums the Imax (or other large format) theatre is a main revenue source

But, what'll it cost, man, WHAT'LL IT COST!?