CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM It took but a few moments for the Varsity Theatre's box office to come down yesterday, demolition day for the venerable University Avenue movie house. Designed by architect C.W. Dickey, the Varsity closed in June after nearly 70 years. An interim parking lot was planned for the site.

Aloha, Varsity Theatre

Art-film venue and local landmark takes its final bow

The storied Varsity Theatre is no more.

Demolition began yesterday on the 67-year-old, 10,000 square-foot theater, which had been known in later years for showing foreign and independent films.

The building's fate was sealed back in June when new owner Kamehameha Schools determined that structural damage to the local landmark was too extensive to be repaired. Large cracks in the ceilings, walls and columns, as well as rust, mold and other decay were cited in the decision.

Kamehameha Schools has not yet decided how to next develop the property -- rental housing, retail and office space have been suggested by members of the community -- but an interim parking lot is planned for the immediate future.