ʻIao Theater

ʻIao Theater is a historic theater and former cinema in Wailuku, on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Opened in 1928, it was designed in the Spanish Mission style by Edward Walsh and originally operated as a combined movie theater and vaudeville house. The venue was one of several theaters serving Wailuku during the early twentieth century, but its programming extended beyond film exhibition to include local stage productions, touring entertainment, musical performances, and community events. The theater was developed by Manuel Gomes Paschoal and H. B. Weller, who broke ground on Market Street in December 1927. Construction took approximately nine months and cost $40,000. The building opened on August 22, 1928, with a local play featuring Maui performers followed by an evening screening of the Richard Dix film Sporting Goods. Its name refers to the ʻiao, a small bait fish, rather than directly to ʻIao Valley. During its earlier decades, ʻIao Theater served as an important entertainment and gathering place for Maui residents. It screened popular motion pictures, hosted live performances, and became part of the island’s cultural and social life. During World War II, USO programs brought performers including Bob Hope, Betty Hutton, and Frank Sinatra to the theater. The venue also presented significant film events, including the Hawaii debut of From Here to Eternity in 1953. Its history includes both mainstream entertainment and controversial programming: the screening of the X-rated film Deep Throat resulted in the theater owner’s arrest. The theater also supported local commercial and artistic activity. Harry Kaya operated Harry’s Sweets, a snack concession outside the main entrance, for almost four decades from 1930 through the mid-1970s. Hawaiian artists including Kealiʻi Reichel and Amy Hanaialiʻi Gilliom are associated with the venue’s broader role in developing local performance culture. By the early 1980s, the theater had closed and deteriorated, and demolition or redevelopment appeared possible. Maui Community Theater began using the building in 1984 under a low-rent arrangement, helping organize community support for its preservation. In July 1993, Maui County acquired the approximately one-acre property and theater from the Lyons family trust for $882,000 and later spent $1.8 million on a partial restoration. The preservation effort secured state historic recognition in 1994 and federal recognition in 1995. Today, ʻIao Theater is associated with Maui OnStage, the operating name of a community-based theatrical organization that uses the venue for stage productions and other functions. It is described as Maui’s only surviving historic theater. Its identity therefore combines historic architecture, local film and entertainment heritage, and community theater programming rather than representing a conventional commercial consumer brand.

ʻIao Theater was established in Wailuku during a period when Maui communities were developing permanent venues for both motion pictures and live entertainment. Manuel Gomes Paschoal and H. B. Weller broke ground on Market Street in December 1927. Architect Edward Walsh designed the building in a Spanish Mission style, and construction took about nine months. The project cost $40,000, a substantial investment for a local theater at the time. The building opened on August 22, 1928. Its opening program combined local and commercial entertainment: a play performed by local actors was presented first, followed that evening by Sporting Goods, a motion picture starring Richard Dix. The theater’s name came from the ʻiao, a small bait fish. In its original form, the venue operated as both a cinema and a vaudeville house, reflecting the mixed programming common to American theaters of the period. Over subsequent decades, ʻIao Theater became an important public entertainment site in Wailuku. It screened films, accommodated touring attractions, and hosted stage performances. During World War II, USO shows brought Bob Hope, Betty Hutton, and Frank Sinatra to the venue. The theater also presented notable film events, including the Hawaii debut of From Here to Eternity in 1953. At the same time, its programming could be contentious. The screening of Deep Throat, an X-rated film, led to the theater owner’s arrest. The theater’s social role extended beyond the auditorium. Harry Kaya operated Harry’s Sweets, a concession outside the main entrance, from 1930 until the mid-1970s. The building and its surrounding activities also formed part of Maui’s local music and performance ecosystem. Hawaiian performers such as Kealiʻi Reichel and Amy Hanaialiʻi Gilliom are associated with artistic experience connected to the venue. By the early 1980s, changing entertainment patterns and the theater’s physical condition had left the building closed and in disrepair. Demolition became a serious possibility, with redevelopment proposals reportedly including a shopping complex or conversion to offices. Maui Community Theater moved into the building in 1984, paying $200 per month, and community preservation efforts gathered momentum. Maui County resolved the ownership issue in July 1993 by purchasing the one-acre site and theater from the Lyons family trust for $882,000. The county subsequently invested $1.8 million in a partial restoration. The project preserved the building as a functioning cultural resource rather than allowing the site to be redeveloped. ʻIao Theater was placed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places on June 24, 1994, and the Department of the Interior added it to the National Register of Historic Places on February 9, 1995. In its modern phase, the building has served as the home of Maui Community Theater, which operates under the name Maui OnStage. The organization uses the venue for community theater and other functions. A 43-stall parking lot was also developed behind the theater as part of area redevelopment. ʻIao Theater remains notable as Maui’s only surviving historic theater and as a venue whose identity links early cinema, vaudeville, wartime entertainment, local Hawaiian performance, historic preservation, and community theater.

• 1995

  National historic designation

  [1]ʻIao Theateren.wikipedia.org

  The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 9.

• 1994

  State historic designation

  [1]ʻIao Theateren.wikipedia.org

  ʻIao Theater was listed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places on June 24.

• 1993

  Maui County purchases the theater

  [1]ʻIao Theateren.wikipedia.org

  The county acquired the property from the Lyons family trust and initiated a publicly supported preservation path.

• 1984

  Community theater moves into the building

  [1]ʻIao Theateren.wikipedia.org

  Maui Community Theater began using the deteriorating venue and helped build support for its preservation.

• 1953

  Hawaii debut of From Here to Eternity

  [1]ʻIao Theateren.wikipedia.org

  The theater hosted the Hawaii debut of the film From Here to Eternity.

• 1930

  Harry’s Sweets begins operating

  [1]ʻIao Theateren.wikipedia.org

  Harry Kaya began operating a snack concession outside the theater entrance, continuing until the mid-1970s.

• 1928

  Theater opens

  [1]ʻIao Theateren.wikipedia.org

  ʻIao Theater opened on August 22 with a local play and a screening of Sporting Goods.

• 1927

  Construction begins

  [1]ʻIao Theateren.wikipedia.org

  Manuel Gomes Paschoal and H. B. Weller broke ground for the theater on Market Street in Wailuku.

A preserved historic Maui entertainment venue positioned around community theater, local culture, and architectural heritage.

• Cinema programming · 1928

  Film screenings

  Film exhibition was a core part of the theater’s original business model. The venue showed commercial motion pictures from its opening and later hosted notable screenings, including the Hawaii debut of From Here to Eternity. Its film history also includes controversial adult programming that resulted in the theater owner’s arrest.

• Live entertainment · 1928

  Vaudeville and live performances

  ʻIao Theater opened as a combined movie and vaudeville house, providing a stage for local plays, touring performers, and musical entertainment. USO appearances during World War II, including programs featuring Bob Hope, Betty Hutton, and Frank Sinatra, are among the best-known events associated with this period.

• Community theater · 1984

  Maui OnStage community theater

  In its modern use, the venue is home to Maui Community Theater, which does business as Maui OnStage. The organization presents theatrical productions and uses the historic building for other community functions, continuing the theater’s role as a local performing-arts venue.

• Arrest connected with Deep Throat screening

  The theater’s screening of the X-rated film Deep Throat led to the arrest of its owner. The available reference identifies the incident but does not provide a precise year or further legal disposition.

  Source

Read more

• 1993

  Maui County purchases and preserves the theaterOther

  Background

  The closed and deteriorating theater faced possible demolition or conversion as redevelopment proposals were considered for the site.

  Action taken

  Maui County purchased the theater and its approximately one-acre property from the Lyons family trust in July 1993 and later funded a partial restoration.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition enabled the building to survive as a cultural venue and was followed by state and national historic-place designations.

  Property acquisition and partial restoration. $882,000 acquisition; $1.8 million partial restoration (1993 and subsequent restoration period)

  Source

1. 1ʻIao Theateren.wikipedia.org
2. 2Maui OnStagemauionstage.com