KOKO MARINA THEATRES CLOSING

Consolidated Theatre’s abrupt announcement that it was shutting down the multi-plex at the Koko Marina Shopping Center is disheartening but not surprising.

The facility opened on July 6, 1984, as a twin theater but evolved into an eight-screen suburban film house on Oct. 1, 1999.

I saw “Oppenheimer” last Sunday and “Barbie” last night.

Business was scanty, but let’s face it: Koko Marina merchants have been making a quick exit.

There were clear hints that a shutdown was coming:

• The concession stand has not been restocking candy; last night, when I got that free combo pack of a small soda, small popcorn, and a choice of a box of sweets, there was no choice but Raisenets. I liked Goobers best, but that’s not been an option for months. And the Butterfingers also was out.
• Last Sunday, three or four of the smaller screen theaters had broken air-conditions, with a warning posted at the ticket desk.
• Last night, there were four or five urinals in the men’s restroom that were covered with plastic and signage that said they were broken.
• The theater has not utilized its usual box office for ticketing; when the indoor door was open, I could see piles of boxes and debris galore. It’s simpler, I guess, to do biz from that concession space.

Koko Marina Theatres’ closure not surprising.

Clearly, Consolidated has let the theaters deteriorate over time. Koko Marina was not part of the re-imaging of the cinema experience, with lounge seating. Costly, for sure, but an indicator that East Oahu has not been a priority. Even the nameplate outside was not functioning for quite a while (the lights were out for the numeral 8) but repaired recently.

So, the closure on Sunday is sad but part of the reality at Koko Marina.

Assaggio also closes its doors Sunday. Zippy’s beat ‘em to the punch, eliminating the dining room and only doing take-out. Ben Franklin pulled out several doors down from the theater, and a game room biz tried to make a go there but couldn’t.

A string of tenants, from Al Phillips and around the corner to the UPS store (it’s still open), had leak and mold issues, so are history.

I’ve been doing my community best to patronize merchants at the center – dined at the Kona Brewing Company last night and Harbor Village, the Chinese-food restaurant tucked away on the unseen side of Koko Marina last Tuesday – since it’s important to support your area merchants.
The still-in-construction restaurant next to Assaggio faces a dismal future, with many dark spots, like Fatboys across the way. Moena Café seems to be holding out, with its niche audience.

Roy’s following is steady, and its 35-year run down the street at the Hawaii Kai Towne Center is admirable. Scratch, at the former Outback Steakhouse site, is struggling with a menu that is not appealing and pricey.

But the big blow is the shuttering of the movie theater. Consolidated is offering $7 tickets and free popcorn Friday through Sunday’s closing, but it’s too little too late.

Will the Sunday church services be pau after the shutdown?  Could Consolidated do what Zippy’s did, and operate only certain screening rooms? What do you do with a space with lots of seats but broken toilets?  Will other businesses open and tap the space for other purposes?

Perhaps theater groups – stage attractions – can find a way to build stages and dressing rooms to do live musicals and plays, with rentals based on use?

Just wondering and hoping the space doesn’t just sit and wait for the destruction…

HJQ performing at Beerworks

John Kolivas (pictured right) and his HonoluluJazz Quartet will perform from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Honolulu Beerworks, at 328 Cooke Street in Kakaako

The group will be celebrating its recent Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Jazz Album of the Year.

There is no cover charge or minimum but seating is limited. …

Broadway + four-part harmonies

The Sounds of Aloha, the barbershop quart group, will stage
“Broadway Over the Years,” at 7:33 p.m. Aug.12 at the Hawaii Theatre.

Guest star Shari Lynn (pictured left) will be a featured attraction, opening the second act of the program.

After Hours, an international award-winning barbershop quartet, also will be on the roster.

Tickets: $12 to $49, at www.hawaiitheatre.com or (808) 528-0506. …

Broadway grosses, week ending July 23

Broadway’s long-running musicals, led by “The Lion King,” still rule at the box office.

For the week ending July 23, the Lucky 7 were:

1 –“The Lion King,” $2.469 million

2– “Wicked,”$1.916 million.

3 — “Hamilton,” $1.892 million.

4 — “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1.830 million.

5 — “MJ, the Michael Jackson Musical,” $1.622 million.

6 — “Aladdin,” $1.617 million.

7 — “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1.435 million.

The full list, courtesy The Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz …