Fire engulfs restaurant, historic Big Isle theater

A raging fire gutted a historic theater in Pahoa on Hawaii island.

The blaze destroyed three commercial properties, including Akebono Theater and Luquin’s Mexican Restaurant at a building at 15-2942-A Pahoa Village Road, as well as a smaller commercial building at 15-2948 Pahoa Village Road. The fire started at about 11:45 p.m. Sunday, according to resident Ryan Finlay.

A resident who lives near the historic theater told Finlay a small fire started behind a vacant pawnshop next to Luquin’s and quickly spread to the restaurant and the theater. Four people who live in apartments above Luquin’s escaped the fire.

Firefighters battled the blaze early Monday and remained at the scene after 1 p.m. extinguishing hot spots.

Resident Brady Metcalf said, “It can’t be salvaged at all.” Metcalf’s fiancee is the sister of Salvador Luquin, owner of both the theater and restaurant. Luquin could not be reached for comment.

The fire caused more than $1.8 million in damage, but the cause remains under investigation.

Finlay, who lives a quarter-mile away from the buildings, said he woke up at about midnight and smelled something burning, similar to a campfire. As soon as he stepped outside, he saw large flames emerging from the wooden structure.

“I can see the glow from the fire from my front yard,” Finlay said during a phone interview from Pahoa.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Other area businesses were reportedly closed Monday morning after police shut down Pahoa Village Road from Kaleo’s Bar &Grill to Kauhale Street to conduct an investigation.

Metcalf said crews were preparing to tear down the gutted theater and restaurant Monday afternoon because it’s considered a safety hazard.

According to its Facebook page, Akebono Theater, described as one of the oldest theaters in Hawaii, is nearly a century old.

The Fire Department said the theater was built in 1926, a smaller commercial building was built in 1938, and a large multi-use residential and commercial building, where Luquin’s is located, was built in 1907.

“Everybody has a connection to the theater,” said Metcalf, who has lived in Pahoa for almost 30 years. “It was kind of the hub of society.” Concerts, graduation ceremonies, wedding receptions, birthday parties and other events have been held at the facility.

Members of the Grassroots Church of Puna attended services held at the theater every Sunday morning for the past decade. The church has about 80 members.

“It’s a big loss for Pahoa,” Finlay said.