It was about to be demolished when a small band of preservation-minded citizens, including scholar Lowell Angell, artist Ramsay, Dr. Norman Goldstein, community board members Claire and Ray Engle and architect Glenn Mason, saved it from the wrecker's ball. A Hawaii Theatre Center was formed, headed by Sarah Richards. Malcolm Holzman, a leading preservation and theatrical architect, was retained to do the architectural work, guided by theatrical consultant Mary Bishop.
After more than a decade of lobbying, fund-raising, organizing and actual restoration-renovation, the Hawaii Theatre is making its second debut. The theatre hasn't been restored to its original appearance in all respects - a matter of controversy among some of the project's supporters. And at $28 million, critics say the work was overpriced.
Without discounting the possibility that better decisions might have been made, it is clear that the theatre's renovation is a magnificent contribution to the cultural life of the community and to the revival of the downtown area. Yesterday's Star-Bulletin carried a detailed graphic and story on the theatre's features.
This is, of course, not an isolated event. Downtown has been making a comeback for some time after decades of slow decline. Historically and architecturally significant buildings have been restored while new high-rises have appeared. A community of apartment-dwellers has developed, adding stability to the neighborhood. But the Aloha Tower Marketplace and the Hawaii Theatre are the showplaces.
The community owes a debt of gratitude to all the dedicated people responsible for this achievement. Now it's time to turn out for events at the Hawaii Theatre to help make it a success.
The alternative is worrisome. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which is leading in the opinion polls, advocates the building of a nuclear bomb and makes the Muslim minority fearful because of its Hindu nationalist sentiments. Rao charged that a BJP government would bring anarchy and could lead to the breakup of India. With its history of violent religious conflicts, India can ill afford a government that might make matters worse.
Rupert E. Phillips,CEO
John M. Flanagan,Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro,Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang,Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner,Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser,Contributing Editor