HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2023-02 Naalehu Theater RestorationA
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GLEN M.WINTERBOTTOM
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POST OFFICE BOX 109 p Fu,D PY MAIL
NAALEHU,HAWAII 96772
PHONE NO. (808) 929-9060
gwinterbottom@msn.com
February 6, 2023
Ka`u Community Development Plan Action Committee
c/o County of Hawaii Planning Department
Aupuni Center, Suite 3
101 Pauahi Street
Hilo, Hawaii. 96720
Reference: threatened Naalehu Theater
Aloha Committee Members,
Enclosed is considerable documentation concerning past legislative and other efforts to
preserve the historic Naalehu Theater as a memorial to 150 years of sugar plantation labor in Ka`u
District, including a 2019 front-page article in the current owner's Baltimore, Maryland hometown
newspaper (also online at: www.baltimoresun.com/business/real-estate/bs-bz-hawaii-naalehu-theater-
weinberg-foundation-20191213-gbfzred5bzdn7kgpjy7jlurtp4-story.html). Unfortunately, all of these
actions have been unsuccessful to date, due in part to successive distracting natural disasters and health
emergencies, and a lack of official follow through on the County level.
Although the iconic, nearly-century-old structure continues to deteriorate and currently
constitutes a depressing eyesore, there still might be a little time left to turn the situation around if
broader community and other support can be generated, in order to avoid the sad fate of its collapsed
sibling in Pahala. It should be kept in mind that the simple theater could always be accurately
reconstructed from measured drawings if restoration proves unfeasible, as has commonly been done
worldwide with historic buildings in poor condition. The large half-empty commercial-zoned lot it sits
on could also make rejuvenation in some form attractive to a private historic property developer.
If your group finds that preservation of this landmark for some useful function (not necessarily
as a theater venue) is still a goal worth pursuing, please let Mayor Roth and Michelle Galimba (who
already has these enclosures) know of your mana`o. Notably, the current Ka`u CDP Plan states in
section 4. 7.5 Community—Based, Collaborative Actions...Action 9: Restore the Na`alehu
Theater.
If asked, district school teachers and their students could conceivably provide some invaluable
community support as part of a real-world educational project. The following well-funded private
organizations with a presence or interest in this district could also be contacted to possibly gain some
essential financial support for such an effort. If just one of these entities could be persuaded to take
some positive action, the others might be more willing to join in.
1
Communication Number 2023-02
1) Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
3660 Waialae Avenue, Suite 400
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
2). Edmund C. Olson Trust II
26-238 Hawaii Belt Road
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
3).Aio Foundation (for-profit arm owns Naalehu Shopping Center and Punalu'u Bake Shop)
1000 Bishop Street, Suite 202
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
4) HPM Building Supply Foundation
16-166 Melekahiwa Street
Keaau, Hawaii 96749-8016
5) Black Sand Beach, LLC (prospective Punalu'u Resort developer)
95-4968 Mamalahoa Highway
Naalehu, Hawaii 96772
6) Carl Okuyama (Naalehu 76 gas station and Ohana Foods, Inc.)
1346 Kilikina Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
7) CU Hawaii Credit Union(Ka`u branch is across from theater)
476 Hinano Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
8) Historic Hawaii Foundation
680 Iwilei Road, Suite 690
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Obviously, preservation of Naalehu's last surviving major historical landmark would not be an
easy task at this late date, but a nicely restored or reconstructed theater structure looming over the
disadvantaged town would undoubtedly constitute a significant step towards improving community
morale and its future economic prospects, so it might be well worth some modest but timely efforts on
the part of your committee. If you could help jump start a positive outcome in this matter, it would
certainly be a highly visible accomplishment for your group's tenure.
Mahalo for your consideration of the foregoing,
oetee",
GLEN M. WINTERBOTTOM
C. C.: Michelle Galimba
Old Mdv kel tidleedka P/aaldw/
2
Communication Number 2023-02
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Wil OkabeLoo
ILlanugtngDirector
Harry KimMayor
Mai *• Barbara J.Kossow
r of•H Deputy Managing Director
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ffire of file Iliztuor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy..Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740
808)323-4444 • Fax(808) 323-4440
March 12,2018
Ms. Rachel Garbow Monroe
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
7 Park Center Court
Owings Mills, MD 21117
Dear Ms. Monroe:
I am writing to request information about the plans of The Harry and Jeanette WeinbergFoundationfortheNa'alehu Theatre and other assets in the village of Na'alehu in Hawaii County. IunderstandthattheFoundationownstheTheatreandadjacentpropertyandmanagesthemthroughthe300Corporation.
My request is prompted by public concerns about the state of the Theatre. It is a valuable historic
structure in the heart of Na'alehu, which is one of our lowest-income communities, and the condition of
the Theatre has steadily deteriorated in recent years. Out of concern for the future of the Theatre and of
Na'alehu village, residents have approached me and other elected officials for assistance.
In preparation for working with the community to address the situation, I wanted to first reach out
directly to you and the trustees of the Weinberg Foundation. Specifically, I'd like to know what the
Foundation's plans are for the Theatre and for the Foundation's other real property assets in NA'alehu
village relative to the Foundation's mission to assist low-income and vulnerable families.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. I' d like to be responsive to community concerns, so we
plan to begin working with community leaders in April. My preference would be to first hear directlyfromyou.
Res ectfully,
Harry Kim
Mayor, County of Hawaii i
c:Mr. Glen Winterbottom
Mr.Michael Yee, Director,Planning Department
Mr. Allan Simeon,Director,Department ofPublic Works
Ms. Diane L. Ley, Director, Department of Research and Development
Mr. Joe Kamelamela,Corporation Counsel
Ms. Maile David, County Councitmember
Dr. Alan Downer,Administrator, Hawaii State Historic Preservation Division
Representatives Richard Creagan, Nicole Lowen,Mark Nakashima, Chris Todd
Senators Russell Ruderman,Josh Green, Lorraine Inouye
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Communication Number 2023-02
4' 11969' 7
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1:1,9
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
STATE OF HAWAII
STATE CAPITOL
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813
Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
3660 Waialae Avenue,Suite 400
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816-3260
To Whom It May Concern,
The undersigned members of the Hawaii State Legislature from Hawai'i Island
request that you consider how to address an issue in Hawaii Island's District of Ka'u.As
described in a Hawaii Tribune-Herald newspaper article that appeared on March 13, 2017,
it's evident that the historic Naalehu Theater is in need of repair and maintenance.
This structure is located in Naalehu's town center and is the district's only surviving
major historic landmark fronting the circle-island Belt Highway. It was erected around
1925 by the Hutchinson Sugar Plantation Company for the benefit of its workers and their
dependents.As one of the few cultural and historic landmarks commemorating the sugar
industry,we believe it is worth preserving.The theater fosters appreciation by visitors, is a
source of pride among community members,and is eligible to be listed as a historic place.
The Hawai'i Island legislators and members of the community appreciate the
positive impact and generosity that your foundation has shown the State of Hawaii over the
years,and urge you to preserve the historic integrity of Naalehu town.We respectfully ask
that you work with the community to resolve some of these issues.
Sincerely,
C, f:: ,q,,C.,_271-(451--e-' : giA-P'---'-
Representative Nicole Lowen Senator Russell Ruderman
State of Hawaii, District 6 State of Hawaii, District 2
Communication Number 2023-02
4 1939 1
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
STATE OF HAWAII
STATE CAPITOL
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813
Representative Mark Nakashima Senator Josh Green
State of Hawaii District 1 State of Hawaii District 3
Representative Chris Todd Senator Lorraine no -
State of Hawaii, District 2 State of Hawaii, District 4
Repre tati e Joy —713aentura
Sta • of H. ' aii, District 4
IAA 412/0%
Representative Richard Creagan
State of Hawaii, District 5
CC:
Robert T. Kelly,Jr., Board Chair and Trustee
Alvin Awaya,Vice-President and CEO Hawaii
Rachel G. Monroe, President and CEO
Corbett Kalama, Director of Community Affairs
Communication Number 2023-02
AuLL mikA126*0(A-N
Kuahiwi Ranch awl= yr
PO Box 24
Naalehu HI 96772
808) 4304927 a-y
January 27, 2020
County Council Chair Aaron Chung s ,County Building CI` 'v25AupuniStreet
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Oa) l5AlohaMayorKim,
Please support acquisition of the Naalehu Theater that is being offered to the
County by the Weinberg Foundation. This issue that has been featured in
recent newspaper articles. The Na'alehu Theater is a landmark that has
fallen into disrepair but there is hardly a day that goes by when I don't see
someone taking a photo of this relic of bygone days.
Although badly neglected over the years, the Na'alehu theater has
tremendous potential to be a site for community renewal. It is hope the
County officials can work with the Weinberg Foundation and other entities
such as the state legislature and other state or private non-profit programs to
find an economically feasible way to turn this site into long-term benefit of
our economically struggling community.
Sincerel ,
lk
Michelle Galimba, VP
Communication Number 2023-02
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 H . C . R. N
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO EXERCISE
ITS POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN TO CONDEMN NAALEHU THEATER TO
PRESERVE THE THEATER' S HISTORIC LEGACY.
1 WHEREAS, the Naalehu Theater, the southernmost theater in
2 the country, was constructed in 1925 by the Hutchinson Sugar
3 Company; and
4
5 WHEREAS, the theater hosted live performances and community
6 events and, decades later, movie screenings for the public; and
7
8 WHEREAS, the property the theater is located on is
9 currently owned by 300 Corporation, a division of the Harry and
10 Jeanette Weinberg Foundation; and
11
12 WHEREAS, an attempt to list the theater as a historic
13 property was made in 2005 ; and
14
15 WHEREAS, representatives from the State Historic
16 Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural
17 Resources visited the site and determined the theater was
18 eligible for listing; and
19
20 WHEREAS, the theater was considered for listing on the
21 Hawaii Register of Historic Places and National Register of
22 Historic Places by the Hawaii Historic Places Review Board; and
23
24 WHEREAS, in June 2005 , the president of 300 Corporation
25 respectfully objected to the listings; and
26
27 WHEREAS, in 2006 , the roof of the theater started to leak
28 and needed repairs, including a new roof and ceiling, new
29 gutters, and repairs to the foundation, at a cost of about
30 $150, 000; and
31
2018-1583 HCR SMA.doc
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Communication Number 2023-02
Paget
H . C . R. NO . 223
1 WHEREAS, volunteers repaired the theater and submitted
2 paperwork for the theater to become a National Historic
3 Landmark, but the theater was not designated as or given any
4 historic status; and
5
6 WHEREAS, if the Naalehu Theater was listed on the National
7 Register of Historic Places, the theater would be eligible for
8 financial resources and grants, media exposure, and a twenty
9 percent federal reimbursement for approved repairs because the
10 theater would be categorized as a commercial building; and
11
12 WHEREAS, in 2010 , Honolulu Magazine listed Naalehu Theater
13 as one of "Hawaii ' s Most Endangered Historic Sites" ; and
14
15 WHEREAS, condemning and preserving Naalehu Theater is an
16 option to provide visitors and future generations the
17 opportunity to visit the theater and learn more about the
18 history of Naalehu; now, therefore,
19
20 BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
21 Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session
22 of 2018 , the Senate concurring, that the County Council of the
23 County of Hawaii is urged to exercise its power of eminent
24 domain to condemn Naalehu Theater to preserve the theater' s
25 historic legacy; and
26
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this
28 Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the
29 County Council of the County of Hawaii .
30
31
32
OFFERED BY:
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Communication Number 2023-02
Page 3
H . C . R. NO . 22a
MAR 0 9 2016
2018-1583 HCR SMA. doc 3
II'I 1I IIN 11NI11 fIlllllllh!I1ISIII 11'1OJIFI'II Bl u
Communication Number 2023-02
THE SENATE
S . R. NO . 58TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII
MAR 0 9 2018
SENATE RESOLUTION
URGING THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO EXERCISE
ITS POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN TO CONDEMN NAALEHU THEATER TO
PRESERVE THE THEATER' S HISTORIC LEGACY.
1 WHEREAS, the Naalehu Theater, the southernmost theater in
2 the country, was constructed in 1925 by the Hutchinson Sugar
3 Company; and
4
5 WHEREAS, the theater hosted live performances and community
6 events and, decades later, movie screenings for the public; and
7
8 WHEREAS, the property the theater is located on is
9 currently owned by 300 Corporation, a division of the Harry and
10 Jeanette Weinberg Foundation; and
11
12 WHEREAS, an attempt to list the theater as a historic
13 property was made in 2005 ; and
14
15 WHEREAS, representatives from the State Historic
16 Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural
17 Resources visited the site and determined the theater was
18 eligible for listing; and
19
20 WHEREAS, the theater was considered for listing on the
21 Hawaii Register of Historic Places and National Register of
22 Historic Places by the Hawaii Historic Places Review Board; and
23
24 WHEREAS, in June 2005, the president of 300 Corporation
25 respectfully objected to the listings; and
26
27 WHEREAS, in 2006, the roof of the theater started to leak
28 and needed repairs, including a new roof and ceiling, new
29 gutters, and repairs to the foundation, at a cost of about
30 $150, 000; and
31
32 WHEREAS, volunteers repaired the theater and submitted
33 paperwork for the theater to become a National Historic
34 Landmark, but the theater was not designated as or given any
35 historic status; and
2018-1583 SR SMA.doc
it IIil` IIN1INAII 1111111 II :a
Communication Number 2023-02
Page 2
S . R . NO . 58
1
2 WHEREAS, if the Naalehu Theater was listed on the National
3 Register of Historic Places, the theater would be eligible for
4 financial resources and grants, media exposure, and a twenty
5 percent federal reimbursement for approved repairs because the
6 theater would be categorized as a commercial building; and
7
8 WHEREAS, in 2010, Honolulu Magazine listed Naalehu Theater
9 as one of "Hawaii ' s Most Endangered Historic Sites" ; and
10
II WHEREAS, condemning and preserving Naalehu Theater is an
12 option to provide visitors and future generations the
13 opportunity to visit the theater and learn more about the
14 history of Naalehu; now, therefore,
15
16 BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-ninth
17 Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018,
18 that the County Council of the County of Hawaii is urged to
19 exercise its power of eminent domain to condemn Naalehu Theater
20 to preserve the theater' s historic legacy; and
21
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this
23 Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the County
24 Council of the County of Hawaii .
25
26
27 44.4 C---OFFERED BY:
0,
40,4/ 45
2018-1583 SR SMA.doc 2
Communication Number 2023-02
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 34131Honolulu, Hawaii
MAR 2 8 2018
RE: S.R. No. 58
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Twenty-Ninth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2018
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and
Military Affairs and Judiciary, to which was referred S.R. No. 58
entitled:
SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF
HAWAII TO EXERCISE ITS POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN TO CONDEMN
NAALEHU THEATER TO PRESERVE THE THEATER' S HISTORIC LEGACY, "
beg leave to report as follows :
The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the County
Council of the County of Hawaii to exercise its power of eminent
domain to condemn Naalehu Theater to preserve the theater' s
historic legacy.
Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure
from the Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the
Democratic Party of Hawaii. Your Committees received comments on
this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources .
Your Committees find that it is important to preserve
historic landmarks and buildings in the State. The Naalehu
Theater on the island of Hawaii is the southernmost theater in the
country and was constructed in 1925 by the Hutchinson Sugar
Company. Through the years, the theater has hosted live
performances, community events, and movie screenings for the
public . However, your Committees find that the theater, which is
privately owned, has fallen into disrepair and that the current
owner has not acted to repair the building. Additionally, the
2018-2126 SR SSCR SMA.doc
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Communication Number 2023-02
STAND. COM. REP. NO.
3*Page 2
owner has respectfully rejected considerations for listing the
property on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places and National
Register of Historic Places by the Hawaii Historic Places Review
Board, which if accepted would qualify the theater for financial
resources and grants, media exposure, and a twenty percent federal
reimbursement for approved repairs . Accordingly, your Committees
urge the Hawaii County Council to take appropriate actions to
condemn the theater so that its historic legacy might be
preserved.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your
Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military
Affairs and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your
Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 58 and
recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committees on Public Safety,
Intergovernmental, and Military
Affairs and Judiciary,
SI ,:,A.::::) (:22) 42- elak.k
BRIAN T. TANIGUC{I, Chair CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair
2018-2126 SR SSCR SMA.doc
ioriuiiriaiii1i'rirniiutuirr
Communication Number 2023-02
The Senate
Twenty-Ninth Legislature
State of Hawaii
Record of Votes
Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs
PSM
Bill/ Resolution No.:* Committee Referral: Date:
S 112_--e g 495 P1 /JD , tilAm 2_ l S'-
The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision was to:
The Rec mendation is:
Pass, unamended Pass, with amendmentsn Hold Recommit
2312 2311 2310 2313
Members Aye Aye(WR)Nay Excused
NISHIHARA, Clarence K. (C)V
WAKAI, Glenn (VC) 1/
BAKER, Rosalyn H. V/
IHARA, Jr., Les V/
THIELEN, Laura H. V
X.5 V p(TOTAL
Recommendation:
Adopted Not Adopted
Chair's or Designee's Signature: qv
Distribution: Original w Pink Goldenrod
File with Committee Report s Office Drafting Agency Committee File Copy
Only one measure per Record of Votes
Revised: 08/23/17
Communication Number 2023-02
The Senate
Twenty-Ninth Legislature
State of Hawai`i
Record of Votes
Committee on Judiciary
JDC
Bill/ Resolution No.:* Committee Referral: Date: J
SR S8 f M /JDC, GUAM 3l 2z J/k
nThe Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision was to: _
The Recommendation is:
Pass, unamended n Pass, with amendments Hold Recommit
2312 2311 2310 2313
Members Aye Aye(WR)Nay Excused
TANIGUCHI, Brian T. (C)
RHOADS, Karl (VC)
GABBARD, Mike
KIM, Donna Mercado
THIELEN, Laura H.
TOTAL
Recommendation:
Adopted U Not Adopted
Chair's or Designee's Signature: peLt...,:. "Moil
Distribution: Original Yellow Pink Goldenrod
File with Committee Report Clerk's Office Drafting Agency Committee File Copy
Only one measure per Record of Votes
Revised: 08/23/17
Communication Number 2023-02
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GLEN WINTERBOTTOM/HANDOUT
A' O Ah subsidiary of Baltimore's Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation owns the
a historic but decrepit Naalehu Theater In Naalehu,Hawaii.
w Historic Hawaii theater
la
14
H 0 has link to Baltimore
1 : ,;,1•-• :
1 o~ Foundation has played active volcanoes.k'' 0 Today,fewer than 900 people call
mixed role in saving it Naalehu home, but that hasn't
stopped some ofthem from urging the
BY HALLIE MILLER theater's owner and lawmakers to act
ega to save and restore the neglected
Rising above the two-lane Mamala- 500-seat showhouse and highlight it
hoa Highway on Hawaii's "Big Is- and the sugar industry's place in
land," the red-and-yellow, Art Deco Hawaiian history.But the efforts have
edifice of the Naalehu Theater is foundered,facing resistance from the
wrapped in orange safety fencing,its owner,a subsidiary of the Harry and
weathered paint peeling and missing Jeanette Weinberg Foundation,a Bal-
pieces of its sea turtle-emblazoned timore-based philanthropy ranked
roof.among the top 50 U.S. charitable
The Hutchinson Sugar Plantation organizations with about$2.8 billion
v Co. built the 94-year-old theater in in assets.
t") Naalehu,the southernmost village in Established by Harry Weinberg, adtheUnitedStates,to entertain—and shrewd businessman who accumulat-Z help retain—its diverse population of ed a vast real estate empire stretchingmworkers.But the theater is abandoned from Baltimore to Hawaii before his
now. The 1996 closing of Hutchison death in 1990,the foundation counts
Sugar's successor ended sugar pro- among its missions the support of
duction on the island, near its still See HAWAII,page 14
I03Eimil
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a
Communication Number 2023-02
14 THE BALTIMORE SUN 1 NEWS I FRIDAY.DECEMBER 13.2019 FROM PAGE ONE
HAWAII 5.
From page 1 1
poor, rural communities throughout
T" 1`° -,. r .-
Hawaii.
r • 1 le,•,-''
Who wants to threaten that piggy . - s z- C I
I •
t 44;
bank?" said Naalehu resident Glen Winter-
bottom of county and state lawmakers,who 4
he believes haven't done enough to chal- 1F
lenge the foundations neglect of the theater , --.'":-,-;4',-..1•:-."-.,.„, i...,.',„.
4, i,' It's a depressed area. We don't have any R z ... r - --- - _
other old plantation memorials that have
survived:' a,1•. `,- \ t;` ""1Butthetidemaybeturningforthe '-------,-2- ,,,_-_ ' 4-..,-$...7,'At:, 7---...,,,,
theater.The Weinberg Foundation is now in N,..-.:,',` :''. S." -'
the process of gifting the theater to the `.
7-',-'j'••
t
county,which it hopes to complete by the
end of 2019,said Craig Demchak,its director \= ti. u,
of marketing and communications. L c
It was clear to the Weinberg Foundation __ :. _ s. \•:`.•.-:-:"---.7-
that the community would benefit from and s
c._ .. - =`prefer to have ownership of—and therefore
control over — Naalehu Theater and its a""`,
future," Demchak said in an email. "The k
Foundation is eager to execute the neces- it,144brey . . .,7--",sary documents with the County to corn-
plete this transaction... [and] is pleased to GLEN WINTERBOTTOM/HANDOUT
resolve this real estate matter in a manner A hole can be seen in the roof of the decrepit Naalehu Theater in Naalehu,Hawaii.
that wholly benefits the local community
and puts the community in control of the and that creates a challenge as well." At this time,no action has been taken," letters to the foundation in March 2018.The
building." Ley said she she's not sure what purpose she said,noting that given the county's other mayor's office asked for information about
But it's not clear when or if the transfer the building would serve intoday's Naalehu priorities — volcano eruptions and hurri- the foundation's plans for the theater and
will go through but hopes the county can engage with the canes among them — this process likely other property in Naalehu "relative to the
The foundation's Hawaiian footprint community to determine what might bene- would not conclude by year's end. Foundation's mission to assist low-income
began after Weinberg traveled to the state in fit the area most. Demchak said the foundation has not and vulnerable families," while the repre-
the 1950s and recognized its potential for "People are generally not building thea- received feedback from the county indicat- sentatives urged the organization to work
tourism,according to his obituary published ters these days,people watch Netflix.And ing any changes to the proposed timeframe. with the community to resolve the theater's
in The Baltimore Sun. He purchased again,it's a very small community,"she said. Efforts to address the theater's condition maintenance problems.
properties throughout the islands and,later, "To put together a theater of that size is and its management date to at least 2005, The Weinberg Foundation's Demchak
transit companies. probably not feasible." when the theater was considered for said discussions with Hawaii County Mayor
According to the obituary,Weinberg was The building is valued for tax purposes at inclusion on the Hawaii Register of Historic Harry Kim about the theater began in 2018.
criticized as a callous landlord who ne- $177,800,online property records show.The Places, according to a 2018 resolution Kim did not respond to requests for
glected his properties in Baltimore and owner is listed still as 300 Corp.,a Weinberg sponsored by members of the Hawaii state comment.
elsewhere.He shocked those critical of him Foundation subsidiary,that also is listed as legislature calling for the county to seize it "The Theater represents a place in time—
when, toward the end of his 90 years, he owning a shopping center and a warehouse by eminent domain to preserve its legacy a vibrant center of a former plantation town
announced he would bequeath most of his on the island of Hawaii. But the then-president of 300 Corp.,Alvin —that has the potential to reinvigorate the
fortune,roughly$900 million,to his foun- To Winterbottom, the foundation's gift- Awaya,declined to have it listed,according town today;'Demchak said in an email
dation's charitable trust ing ofthe theater is too little,too late.He said to the resolution. Over the past.30 years, the Weinberg
Weinberg's organization purchased the many people in the "don't-blink-or-you'll- Inclusion of a property on the register Foundation has provided approximately
theater in 1979, according to a Honolulu miss-it"town struggle to make ends meet, makes it eligible for county property tax $350 million to nonprofits in Hawaii and
Magazine article on the state's most endan- and thus can't offer much help in a potential benefits and grant funding,according to the increased its grantmaking in Hawaii to$12
gered historic sites.It leased the building to grassroots fundraising or rebuilding initia- State Historic Preservation's website. million per year, according to a fact sheet
various groups over the years,a practice that tive. Since 2010,the Historic Hawaii Founda- provided to The Baltimore Sun by the
ended around 2006 after rain overwhelmed "[The foundation] has all this money to tion, a state nonprofit that works with organization.
the weakened roof and flooded the building, give away...but this has been so difficult," communities to address preservation issues, The foundation "regularly reexamines
the article states. Winterbottom said."It's bizarre.Maybe it's has listed the theater as"endangered"on its and and realigns its investment portfolio,
Since then, the theater's condition has just out here in the country that they're so website,writing that"due to its decline,the including real estate holdings (located
worsened by the year. ruthless." State Historic Preservation Division has primarily in Hawaii and to a lesser extent in
While the foundation now seems willing Demchak said the foundation's record determined it is now too damaged for the the Baltimore region)and is proud ofits long
to give it up, it's not clear Hawaii County speaks for itself registry." history in Hawaii and is deeply committed
wants it The Foundation is ... dedicated to And about three years ago, state Rep. to serving the community with warmest
The building's future remains "in ques- meeting the unique needs ofrural commu- Richard Creagan, a Democrat who spon- aloha for many years to come?'
tion,"said Diane Ley,director ofthe county's nities in Hawaii and throughout the United sored the 2018 resolution,reached out to the But,to Winterbottom,Weinberg's repu-
department of research and development States, and has designated `rural' areas as Weinberg Foundation and 300 Corp. re- tation as a negligent landlord serves as an
Renovating a building that size would prove priority communities for the Foundation's garding the theater's status, but did not apt parallel of the foundation's treatment of
costly, potentially hazardous and time grantmaking,"he said in another email.receive an answer, according to a March the theater today. How, he said, can the
consuming,she said.Despite the foundation's good intentions, 2018 article by the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. organization continue to advertise its chari-
I'm not familiar with why the founda- Ley said the county"can't just automatically Calls to Creagan's office were not re- table giving to poor communities after
tion bought it and let it go.It may have just accept things;"as a gift of this nature would turned allowing his hometown to crumble?
fallen off their radar,"Ley said. "It's a very need to go through administrative as well as The mayor's office and members•of the It's a paradox,he said,that lingers over
small community with limited resources, legislative review.Hawaii House of Representatives sent Naalehu like the shadow of Mauna Loa.
Communication Number 2023-02
ref..fit:
Friday,December,27.201.9 9k
e , • i LocalNews
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c Naalehu Theater on March 18.2012. PHOTO BY GUN
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7 °i ci WINT[7ROOTTOWCOL?TEro-C 7.tS i I'M -CE ?
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e.
C Takemoto said.
m4 gC o o w , , ^'
THEATER: 4e want to meet
WO o c r o CONTINUED FROM PAZ:-IA with the community to
g Q o o Y , o -see if they have ideas,
et tn . t
A• 'q^ .s „ a
4.;t ! W the public." Ley said_ "We Takemoto said. "We don't
B o Ep o i
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441
c r don't want people wan- want to just say no"
y 0 r - 0 2 .2 $ dering in to take a look or Naalehu resident Glena 1 r there might be homeless Winterbottom, who scV-
v erl c to o a people living there" era] years ago launched a
c c x
e 0 8 .; F. e; a- ^ The mayors office has save-the-theater crusade,
et: 1o a° o E pulled officials from R&D said Thursday county
E. .v r .a c ', o a and the Department of administrators haven't
o t o w Y , S - , _ c a J Public«rocks together to contacted him about thet
a 'ti o x see what to do next. for the property.
Q
i; o ' '5 a
prospects
acb
pert
e
Ga y ° $ c a , ,°c o o ° S eYe doing the goner- But he wants to see the
4- ., • 2 ,u, ii sl due diligence we would
til c ,, % a.•• -. o `theater, if not saved, then
u E . i g v c , r c 0 ° . do with any gift to
the14114Z
at least reconstructed.
n o w A n count}; in particular a "I would be happy as
o y y, , . ..building;Ley long the outside stayed2o . 4 1 g xA Ley said the build- 4cif) ' J o '$ 6 8. ing was identified in the same because it's suchooo , xx , oa an icon.such a landmark;
5 E y• b a .,the Naalehu CDP as an Winterbottom said. "\o.tij cr
c., • M L ow, A .o important asset_ The
c., J a v,ec -o a 1,pate!the roof or rep-ace
m v_ 3, Z;I o . a a S county has not }yet gone the whole thing while it'sbAt ,, w .. • 1 ; 't out and inspected the
pa P.a y a o v property,she said. being argued"
c x Y Wi ntcrbottom said
4
We know if the coun-
ty~ :il o in ' b
u
ro
w: $ L tti• wec e to accept it we're the building, if it's been
c a ,°c 3 c. . .°c u c .i v going to need resources; neglected so long it'sLe • said. -How would beyond repair, could beLL8 ! c ,c you fund everything from rebuilt if the county wasJceoicr0tv2restoringthebuildingto to take measured draw-
4-6
cin While a theater mayc ; . if! _ renovating it to tearing it fia
Y - • '6 *1, g r; - down' no longer be practical,
The Planning the building would make
c A Department is being a good museum, small
l . b j Si added to the mix in a retail shops or offices. he
a1 U,: • p , o V o .o m ' .1 x meeting next month t o sec said.
M m , _ , 7 E.how the property could "It's not hard to do,he
80.1 r. . o a a roe fit into its Community said. "It's a simple build-
Redevelopment Plan, ing with simple materials'
Communication Number 2023-02
West Hawaii Today, Jan. 3, 2020, 6A
MYTURN I GLEN WINTERBOTTOM
Time top1 Naalehu Theater's next 100 y
Many than tis for your maintain it in exempla- shortage of fabricators on high:y visible testament
publication's coverage of ry condition.For the:ife the mainland who cou:d :o 1.50 years of bleed.
recent developments in of the agreement The easily replicate that spe- sweat and:oil in the ser-
the strange and long-run- hopefu:ly well-vetted cine pattern on a custom vice of the enc.--pivotal
ning Naalehu Theater recipient could then use basis_This is a very smut s]gar industry should be
saga. In the absence of their expertise and past pie building made 0•1t of glaring:y obi^o•L:o Li
such insightfu:reporting, experience to modify simp:e materials, and is the relevant power bro-
including the well-il- the building's spacious most a-csured:y wouldn't kers — if on:y:hey would
lus:rated front-page interior for whatever require any"rocket scat take off their blinders
story appearing in the commercial purpose they ence"to suecessfu::y and and belatedly providelegendaryBaltimorebelievewouldbemostprofitablyrehabilitate!some effective leader
Sun newspaper in the feasible and profitable After a near-dead ship int1l5 situation..Long-:role theater own- over the long term_ experience maybe a None other than
errs Marv:and backyard, 1_m most definitely no: decade ago,the large and
Hawaii bounty admin-talking about a super- attractive shower tree a spokesman for the
isfrators would almost ficial old-timey-loo:,:" fron'nng the Naalehtt Ace Viremberg Foundation
certainly have slunk approach.but rather Hardware store(formerly nay Crated(albeit rather
away in the dark of nigh: a professional muse- the Hutchinson Sugar r-pocr:tical:y) that:"The
and quietly abandoned um-quality exterior Plantation Company's Theater represents a
the purpc,e:y neglected res:oration or recon- main office)succumbed place in time — a vibrant
landmark to an eventu- struction in accordance for good this year,but center of a former plan-
al inevitable demise_ with accepted historic that unfortunate even:talon town — that Has
Since [-ye been wait-preservation standards definitely doesn't have the potential to rein ig-
ing r••.titless:y for over that wou:d do justice to to be a metaphor for orate the town today."
15 months to obtain a the the-a:er's history and Naalehu`s future.. And as reported in a
requested meeting with significance during the On the contrary,the s!m3_ar vein jus:a few
Mayor Harry K:ni to long reign of"King Sugar" small shopping center days ago, the historic
discuss the predicament, in the Ka'u District adjacent to the theater property developer of
I also appreciate this Although in such a see- was recently purchased the venerable Wo Fat
opportunity to expand nario the structure would from the Weinberg Chop Suey Restaurant
briefly on my published need to continue looking Foundation by a father building:orated in
comments concerning from the outside like it and son te-ani of ph::- Honolulu's Chinatown
possible options for the maintained a traditionally anthropic-:ean:ng:ocal Hata promised that, 'We're
theater going toward, sloped theater floor,the developers who were Being to give it enemy,
now that it's belatedly actual ground floor within quoted in this paper as
become public know:- could certainly be leveled desiring to see that sim-
we're going ti,give ::a
edge that the Weinberg for additions:space and Early neglected complex
new heartbe-at and we're
Founda:ion has been practicality for other uses. become"a center for:he going:o ride this baby
offering to donate the Additionally,the community to congregate _or another l00 yea=s."
building and land E: building could probably to bui:d a better\aalehu" Nothing bat enhanced
sits on:o the count' accommodate a second They've long owned optimism and commu-
ter over a year now. floor or mezzanine if so and operated the appal.- nity pride cou:d possibly
In the event that the desired, and there might ently very successful resu:t from such enl:gat-
fabulous:y wealthy(but conceivably even be room Punahiu Bake Shop ened sentimenzs coupled
bizarrely Scrooge-like in on the currently empty and cookie factory just with concrete action
this region)Weinberg portion of the property across the highway from being directed toward the
organization or an unre- for an addition,:corn- their latest acquisition,Southernmost Town In
fated philanthropic entity p:ernen:arvstr'.1c:ure of so there's no reason to The U.SA's own hum-
doesn't offer to he:p reno- some kind.These kinds doubt the seriousness of ble historic :andmark
rate the theater for some of important consider-their intentions.There memorializing izs hardy
beneficial public purpose ations and tradeoffs are are a:so new agricu:tural sons and daughters who
Like a senior citizen cen- why historic preservation opera:ions visibly under- :ong worked the former
ter, Ed s:rlgges:that a very architects and consul- way in the long-fallow fields of waving cane_
Logical a:terna:ire wou:d tants offer their services. fields above town.with But the rest order of
be for either the tounda-No doubt there would some related visitor fat-it- business towards achiev-
lion itself or the county to be some complications ities and a senior hail.
ng that goal mus-involveoffertoleasethec:early to deal with,such as ing protect reportedly someone patching theunwantedpropertytoaprojectionroomasbestosplannedhereaswell.
private preservation-ori- remediation,modern Against this backdrop gaping 5-foot-square ho:e
in the theater's roof whi:esetbackck:' uirenlents of nasiexiteddeveloperforper-y positive devel-
haps 50 to 100 years for and ADA comp:iance opnients,the bad:y ma:-it's future:s bring debit
31 and love"per annum. among others, but exile- treated 'aalebu Theater cd! a-nother vital prelim-
Of course, in exchange rienced professionals continues against 3:L nary task would include
for such a rare :f not in the historic building odds to loom over and having professionally
unprecedented"freebie tied are well-versed with anchor this town's minus- measured drawings made
in Paradise,a quail- such common wrinkles. cule civic and business of the structure as it Fires-
tied lessee would have And while the structure's center after close to a entl'exists. to inform and
to commit to faithfully galvanized v-rib sheet century now:The many guide subsequent actions_
restore or if necessary metal siding is probably benefits for all concerned Glen V lricrbDticrn is a 4.1 year
reconstruct the:eater's no:onger replaceable"off of revitalizing the corn-re;idi•.'rt Qf Na;Igl'u x1d past
exterior, and sabsequenty the shelf,'there's likely no rnunity's sole surviving NaalehL:2airy cowboy.
Communication Number 2023-02
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