Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
From family theater to porn house, Kaimukī's Queen Theater has seen a lot over its 90 years of existence.
But it's been closed for decades. Despite a push from eager community members and the Honolulu City Council’s chair, city officials are wary of taking over the dilapidated Queen Theater.
Now city managing director Mike Formby says it’s not worth the trouble.
Officials have considered using eminent domain to purchase the theater. In late 2024, council members formally requested the city administration take it over to restore it as a community performance venue.
At the time, area representative Tommy Waters introduced a resolution asking the administration to condemn Queen Theater.
Owner Adoree Yu testified in opposition. She knew progress had been stalled, she said, but she would work on fixing up the property.
At the time, Yu presented a three-phase plan: Exterior renovations would be done by May 2025, she said, while interior renovations on the second floor and in the lobby would be done by the end of 2025. Renovations would be done by the end of 2026.
It’s unclear how much of that work has been completed. The city’s permitting portal shows the only permit application for the building since that meeting was a sign permit in late 2024, which has since been closed.
Attorney Ryan Toyomura, who represents the theater’s corporation Queen Management, did not respond to requests for comment.
What is also unclear is who would take over the theater. Kaimukī community members support the theater’s revitalization, but there’s no large-scale effort for anyone to eventually manage operations.
Despite its name, Friends of Queen Theater isn’t up for the job. Members say the group is too small and is mostly geared towards advocating for the theater’s revitalization – an aim that has so far proven futile.
Read the story: civilbeat.org/2026/04/kaimukis-queen-theater-is-falling-apart-honolulu-doesnt-want-to-step-in
From family theater to porn house, Kaimukī's Queen Theater has seen a lot over its 90 years of existence.
But it's been closed for decades. Despite a push from eager community members and the Honolulu City Council’s chair, city officials are wary of taking over the dilapidated Queen Theater.
Now city managing director Mike Formby says it’s not worth the trouble.
Officials have considered using eminent domain to purchase the theater. In late 2024, council members formally requested the city administration take it over to restore it as a community performance venue.
At the time, area representative Tommy Waters introduced a resolution asking the administration to condemn Queen Theater.
Owner Adoree Yu testified in opposition. She knew progress had been stalled, she said, but she would work on fixing up the property.
At the time, Yu presented a three-phase plan: Exterior renovations would be done by May 2025, she said, while interior renovations on the second floor and in the lobby would be done by the end of 2025. Renovations would be done by the end of 2026.
It’s unclear how much of that work has been completed. The city’s permitting portal shows the only permit application for the building since that meeting was a sign permit in late 2024, which has since been closed.
Attorney Ryan Toyomura, who represents the theater’s corporation Queen Management, did not respond to requests for comment.
What is also unclear is who would take over the theater. Kaimukī community members support the theater’s revitalization, but there’s no large-scale effort for anyone to eventually manage operations.
Despite its name, Friends of Queen Theater isn’t up for the job. Members say the group is too small and is mostly geared towards advocating for the theater’s revitalization – an aim that has so far proven futile.
Read the story: civilbeat.org/2026/04/kaimukis-queen-theater-is-falling-apart-honolulu-doesnt-want-to-step-in
