The end for North Shore films

The Laie Cinemas theater had two screens, so it was considered "obsolete" STORY SUMMARY READ THE FULL STORY Last night was a sad evening for moviegoers and employees at Laie Cinemas, which showed movies for the ...

[Kimo]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy this Theatre for the residents than to buy Turtle Bay? Ask Lingle--this is pocket change compared to the Superferry and Turtle Bay.., oh and let's not forget the Aquarium and Ko'olina and Kakaako and..(lord only knows what else she bought... O.K. Linda--buy the Theatre for the people, please!

[SoleG]

There's no real demand for the theatre so that was a smart business decision!!!

"It's too bad all those protesters didn't ever show up at the movie theater," said Wallace. "The first thing I would tell you is that two-screen theaters are economically obsolete. The community didn't support the theater in sufficient numbers to make it economically viable."

Also concerned for the kids will have no entertainment?... go to youtube.com or ovguide.com to see the latest vids even better yet go read a book.

Why don't people protest for real reasons? Besides protesting and wasting all that energy why not start a profitable business in the entertainment industry for kids to do besides complaining. You'll see how hard and rewarding it is having a business. Then you'll truly understand their decision.

Adapt or Die!!!

[Tim Hodge]

How sad.
We also lost our two screen theater here in Franklin, TN, It was built in the 30s and has closed once or twice before over the decades. I know how devastating this can be to a community. But a group has rallied to resurrect our historic landmark (http://www.savethefranklintheatre.org/ ). Maybe there is a group in your community that can do something similar. I wish you the best! Aloha!
- Tim

[willie]

Hey Judy, you want to keep the theater open? Make an offer and buy it then you can do whatever you wish including losing your butt trying to make it profitable.

[Oki]

Aside from the multi screen megaplexes, many other reasons can be cited:

Take 1: Many no longer go to movies period. Movies come out on DVD pretty quickly these days and one can enjoy it at home with their own tv/sound system of choice without the annoyances of crying children or people talking on their phones, plus I can eat what I want without paying $5 for a candybar. Sites like netflix and blockbuster make it cheap to rent.

Take 2: Hollywood has been on a decline with poorer than ever releases coming out. Same old dribble just repackaged.

Take 3: More competition with movies these days than 10 years ago, with the Internet access reaching out to the population and sites like youtube. Less pressing reasons to go to a theater.

These factors just squeeze out small town theaters. Big box theaters make all their real money on overpriced snacks, which small theaters can't do.

[Cutchase64]

Do a "Sunset on the Beach II," in their
neighborhood-with cheaper snacks.

[warrior]

How ironic that today one news article touts the making of a movie on the north shore while another says you won't even be able to see that movie on the north shore because its only theater is now closed.

[Mokebla]

Signs of the times, can you say Aloha with me. Fa!

[Mach5Motorsport]

Small communities all over get screwed with little entertainment choices. Make the trek accross Oahu to Hololulu or Aiea? Not very likely as a regular activity.

Kind of funny though...the owners are "Hollywood Theaters" ....(of Oregon) wtf?!?!? sounds like a contradiction.

[MainlandMoke]

Prolly da movies stay junk. Wut kine movies you can watch for $5? Da kine you can rent fo $3. Kinda stupid fo dem to say dat dey would be willing to pay mo fo watch jus to keep da theater open. Yea, if you do dat, den nobody goin sho up. Mo betta watch at Mililani since the movies not DVD yet. Nah, fo real, I tink da reason dat da place is shuttin down is dat people were prolly sneakin in snacks. Poor Hollywood theaters cannot charge $10 for one bucket popcorn.

[Brown man]

Another business bites the dust. Looks like this recessions is going to hit us hard.

[Earl]

Her sign, "Keep our kids in the theater and out of the graveyard" - a little extreme, don't you think?

[Carol]

They should have told the community a lot sooner. Maybe something could have been done? Where are we going to watch movies now that aren't an hour away? I'm so sad! They should re-open it!!

[roach]

What about the poor theater employees ? More people in the unemploment line ? The article didn't even mention them.

[Bill in Honolulu]

Theater economics are simple. Ticket revenue goes to the studio that distributed the movie. Concession revenue goes to the theater owner.

If people don't go and buy popcorn, soda, and candy, the theater owner doesn't make money. That's why a two screen theater doesn't make money in todays market -- simply not enough bodies in the seats. You can sell a whole lot more popcorn, and make a whole lot more money, when you have 10 different movies on 14 screens, with multiple start times that make it easier for people to see a movie when they want to.

A smart developer might look for an opportunity to build a new 10 screen theater around Haliewa or Wailua, and take advantage of people coming from both Laie and Wahiawa.

[J Elizabeth]

Another of Hawaii's old buildings/business is lost, though I hope not permantly. It's just like Varsity Theatre, gone with the wind. Very, very sad. Our lifestyles are being changed forever.

[J Elizabeth]

Pure corporate greed!!!!!!!!

[ea25id]

movies are brainwashing our youth. Go surf or do some reading. You don't need to watch movies. Its probably a good thing.

[my2cents]

I pretty much stopped going to movie theatres. Why drive (use gas) and pay over $8 a ticket along with the overpriced popcorn and drinks? Very costly for a family.

I just wait until the movie is released on DVD and use Netflix or Blockbuster mail service at the lowest rate. Why give your money to the theaters? Prefer to spend it on my own home entertainment system that I get to keep.

Maybe folks in Laie can use a public facility such as a school auditorium to organize a community movie night (like every Friday) using rented projector/sound equipment.

[Sharin]

I think a lot has to do with rent. Owners of rental units business and residental dont appreciate loyal renters. If they could just come down a bit on the price businesses could afford to stay and at least the location would be rented. Now the theater will remain empty. I am talking first hand. I had a business location for 11 years. I love it and the friends I made, but all my income paid only business expenses. No profit. I always hoped it would get better but it didnt so I feel they are wise to leave while they are ahead!!!