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Photographs often are the best way to show dramatic changes in Hawaii, providing an easy update on landmarks, persons and events. At other times, however, photos showing minimal changes during the years remind us that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Look for examples of big and little changes every Monday in "It's about time," which will inform, update and prod a few memories.

By Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin
At the end of May, Honolulu will have 4,000 more seats
in 16 new theaters in which to watch the latest Hollywood
productions. That huge building going up at the corner of
Auahi and Kamakee streets in Kakaako will be Consolidated
Theater's 16-screen complex, part of Victoria Ward Ltd.'s
planned $40 million Ward Entertainment Center. At top is
a view of Auahi Street from the IBM Building, with the
Ward Centre parking structure at left and the new theater
complex at top right, just in front of the twin Waterfront Towers.

The theaters will be surrounded by a host of retail tenants,
including a Dave & Buster's restaurant, known for games
and entertainment as much as its pizza and pasta. The Texas
chain's first Hawaii establishment will take up 40,000
square feet on two levels along the Auahi Street side of
the theaters. It is scheduled to open in August or September.

By Ron Edmonds, Star-Bulletin, 1975
In 1975, center photo, Kakaako was a little-developed area
of warehouses and small businesses. Off in the distance
(middle, rear) is the so-called Gold Bond Building, while
to the left is Ala Moana Park. The Volkswagen car lot,
now Ward Centre, once was targeted for twin
condominium towers.

By Dean Sensui, Star-Bulletin, 1986
An aerial view in 1986, below, shows the Honolulu
Municipal Building at bottom left, the circular Blaisdell
Arena just slightly off center to the left, and the Ward
Entertainment Center area, defined by a cluster of
warehouses just left of Ala Moana Park and
Kewalo Basin.