The historic Aloha Theater in Hanapepe, Kauai is undergoing a full renovation that is turning the once-condemned building into a boutique hotel with shops and dining. Once completed, the theater will be an important cultural and economic driver for the local community, bringing new jobs, visitors, revenues and leisure options to the area.
Opened in 1936, the art deco theater was at the center of the hustle and bustle of Hanapepe Town. In its heyday, the theater provided a social gathering spot for the area’s local plantation workers as well as sailors during World War 2. Closed in 1981 (and damaged by Hurricane Iniki in 1992), the building was abandoned for almost four decades until it was bought in 2019 by Aloha Theatre Hui led by Lynn Danaher. Lynn, who has prior experience restoring historic properties in Friday Harbor, Washington, is overseeing the project.
Read more about the Aloha Theater in our Winter 2024 Issue of Kauai Magazine.