Waialae Drive-In
Waialae Avenue and 21st Avenue,
Honolulu,
HI
96816
Waialae Avenue and 21st Avenue,
Honolulu,
HI
96816
1 person
favorited this theater
Located at Waialae Avenue and 21st Avenue. The Waialae Drive-In opened May 24, 1956, with Elizabeth Taylor in “Elephant Walk” and James Stewart in “The Naked Spur”. Operated by Royal Theaters, it had a capacity for 790 cars.
The Waialae Drive-In was closed on January 9, 1986 with Nicholas Rowe in “Young Sherlock Holmes” & Dudley Moore in “Santa Clause”. It has since been replaced by an upscale subdivision. It sat across from the Kahala Mall.
Local legend has it that the ghost of a faceless woman with long hair haunted the ladies' room of the drive-in. The Wai'alae Drive-In was located close to an old cemetery.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
The Wai'alae Drive-In, was a popular spot on Oahu. The drive-in was owned by The Royal Chain that also had another Drive-In on the island The Royal Sunset of in Waipahu and a few other theaters like the Marina, Royal, King & Queen. By the mid 80’s The Royal Chain bowed out. The Marina was taken over by Consolidated and went on for a few more years before closing.
Here is a photo circa 1985:
http://tinyurl.com/5l49fq
I uploaded the 1968 aerial photo of the drive-in and the mall.
Approx. address for this drive-in was 4348 Waialae Avenue.
Kiionioni Place and Loop are named after the Hawaiian phrase for “moving picture”, in honor of the Wai'alae Drive-In that was there.
This opened on May 24th, 1956. Grand opening ad in the photo section and below.
Found on Newspapers.com powered by Newspapers.com
Santa Claus the movie was also screened in January 1986
Actual closing date is January 9, 1986, yes with “Young Sherlock Holmes” AND “Santa Claus The Movie”. That same date’s newspaper replied that it was their final night of operation.