The Queen Theater, a once-beloved 1930s-era landmark in the heart of Kaimuki that fell into dec­ades of disrepair, is being readied for sale, city leaders say.

The historic movie house at 3588 Waialae Ave., closed since 1985, had in recent years become a magnet for trespassing and other illicit and illegal activities.

Those public safety issues prompted prior action by the Honolulu City Council and city administration to move toward condemning the derelict, privately-owned building.

But speaking at the
April 15 Kaimuki Neighborhood Board meeting, Council Chair Tommy Waters announced that the theater’s owner, attorney Adoree Yu, “is selling the building.”

“So anybody out there with $3 (million) to $5 million, and willing to rehab that building, we’re going to do that together — save it,” said Waters, whose Council District 4 includes Kaimuki. “We’ve got to save the theater.”

In a statement after the meeting, Waters clarified that when he spoke to Yu,
“I was informed that all
options are being considered for the property, including a disposition-sell.”

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Still, Waters indicated Kaimuki’s “long history of
local commerce, steady foot traffic, and neighborhood loyalty” deserved more at that site than just another building.

“A reactivated Queen Theater could help bring renewed energy to the area by attracting residents and visitors and supporting nearby businesses before and after events,” Waters asserted. “Whatever direction is taken, the future use of the site should reflect the character of the community and provide clear value to the neighborhood.”

Via email, Council Director and Chief Communications Officer Aron Dote said, “The owner of the property hasn’t formally listed, but it is listed on Zillow as ‘off market.’”

Yu and her attorney, Ryan Toyomura, declined to comment on the matter.

Yu previously outlined a three-phase plan to revitalize the Queen Theater property, estimating renovation costs at roughly $800,000. Initial work included painting and implementing safety and security measures to deter trespassing.

The approximately 10,396-square-foot
commercial parcel, which includes the 850-seat theater, is valued at about $3.31 million, according to the city’s Real Property Assessment Division.

But in December 2024, the Council, via a resolution advanced by Waters, decided to pursue condemnation of the property, citing safety concerns and the potential to transform the site into a community-centered venue.

By early 2025, city officials, including city Managing Director Mike Formby, held discussions with Yu in hopes of reaching a “friendly condemnation” agreement that would allow the city to take control of the site while compensating the owner.

Kevin Auger, the city Department of Housing and Land Management director, said “those discussions did not advance toward action due to significant site
constraints.”

Those issues included
environmental conditions — such as asbestos, lead-
based paint, and potential mold — as well as development limitations such as a lack of parking, no staging area for construction, “and the complexities associated with the building’s historic nature,” he said.

Currently, Auger said the city has no plans to block the sale of this private property — namely, condemning it for the city’s use.

“Any consideration of acquisition would require a clearly defined public purpose and justification for the use of public resources,” he said. “DHLM remains focused on advancing housing projects on sites that are more feasible for development, and aligned with broader housing and
transit-oriented development priorities.

“In this case, the site’s physical and environmental conditions, along with its development limitations, made it difficult to prioritize relative to other opportunities that can more readily deliver affordable housing at scale,” he said.

“Again, a market-driven solution would be the preferred approach,” Auger said. “There is no justification for the city to intervene in this instance.”