The history of the Akebono Theater in Pahoa, now destroyed by fire, is a bit blurred by time, described variously as the oldest theater in the state or just “one of the oldest.” Anyway, it’s roughly a century old, and that’s a lot of history to be reduced to ashes.

It’s known less now for shows than as a community gathering place. Chad Rowan, best known as the sumo star Akebono, dropped by at his namesake venue five years ago. Its Facebook page says it has “a full bar, large stage and great dance floor.”

If that sounds like a fun place, you understand why Pahoa mourns.