Now in its 84th year, the iconic Honokaa People’s Theatre will undergo changes in 2014, including converting to digital cinema. The theater must raise at least $60,000 for a digital projector, the new standard demanded by the movie industry.
The theater is throwing a fundraiser launch party at 6 p.m. today to kickstart its capital equipment campaign, featuring a variety of music, dance and special film screening.
As the era of 35mm celluloid films comes to a close, the theater ohana has been “doing everything we can think of” to keep the theater alive, said Phaethon Keeney, manager. “From going solar and starting a mostly organic cafe in the lobby to promoting cultural shows and booking all kine live events aplenty.”
“We try to do it in the most economical and pono way possible,” said Keeney. “We’ve never made any money, we simply love to do what we do and believe that it can and should be done. But this time, we need a little help.”
Details to donate and perks for doing so can be found at honokaapeople.com. With any additional funds, the theater intends to form a nonprofit.
For more information, contact 775-9963 or hpt@honokaapeople.com.