The movie’s over
at Waikiki 3I lost a dear friend last week, the Waikiki 3 Theatre. Consolidated Amusement says it just wasn't making it with the Waikiki 1, 2 and 3 Theatres and brought the curtain down on them after the last showing of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" ended in Thursday morning's wee hours.
The Waikiki 3 opened in the 1930s as the Waikiki Theater. It was Hawaii's best. The big, white structure was beautiful. It had a large carp pond outside the entry doors. Inside, imitation tropical trees "grew" on raised platforms along the sides. Images of white clouds floated under the ceiling. I can remember tagging along with my mom to the Waikiki in the late 1930s to see pictures starring Errol Flynn and Clark Gable.
The First Vue on Friday nights was the place to go when I was in high school. The usherettes were beautiful island girls in white slacks and blouses with blazing red sashes over their left shoulders and around their slender waists. Flowers over their right ears and leis rounded out the outfits. The live organ music before showtime by Edwin Sawtelle was another treat. During Christmas the usherettes would gather around the organ and sing carols. It was great.
Aloha, Waikiki Theatres. I will miss you.
Ben Wood
bwood@starbulletin.com