Wall-to-wall screens, leather seats, premium food items and craft beer are among the options offered to theatergoers in Kapolei beginning today as the ‘Olino movieplex, operated by Consolidated Theatres, opens its new “luxury theater.”
‘Olino is part of the new Ka Makana Alii shopping complex. Consolidated has been previewing its offerings over the past weeks, with a series of screenings including “Top Gun” and more recent revivals, such as “The Secret Life of Pets,” and promotions on tickets, popcorn and candy. Today the theater hosts the opening of a new Tom Cruise film, “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” (reviewed on Page 28; see our feature story about the movie on Page 8).
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Future events include The Hana Hou Picture Show, a monthly retro film series featuring ’80s classics and cult films such as “Big Trouble in Little China,” and, as part of Hitchcocktober, celebrating Alfred Hitchcock, a digitally remastered screening of “Psycho” on Halloween.
THE VENUE offers a full menu, with popcorn, pizza and premium items shaped by consultants Bruce Seidel and chef Santos Loo, both Food Network veterans.
Burger varieties include a cheeseburger topped with kim chee, togarashi seasoning and barbecue sauce. Varieties of hot dogs include a Banh Mi Style Dog topped with pickled vegetables, cilantro-lime aioli and fresh jalapenos.
“We started coming here two years ago, to study the food on the island,” Seidel said during a preview last week. “We went to Eat the Street, other popular spots. … People here are used to more extreme flavor profiles.
“In many ways this type of food in theaters is a new concept,” Seidel added. “It allows for a little bit of creativity.”
Seidel and Loo worked together at the Food Network for many years, Loo noted. “You can imagine the kinds of food we came across.” They honed the menu at ‘Olino with a series of tastings. And in all the time they have been visiting Hawaii, the two have yet to make it to the beach.
Other edibles are being prepared by local vendors Hawaiian Pie Co. and Macarons by Tiffany.
A gourmet coffee menu from Kai Coffee Hawaii is available. Wines and craft beers on tap will be offered during certain showtimes, for audiences age 21 and over.
The theater also has an outdoor lanai with tables and seating for dining.
MORE TREATS are found inside the theater’s eight auditoriums, including leather recliners with push-button controls, wall-to-wall screens and Dolby sound.
A Titan theater at ‘Olino expands on the technology found at Consolidated’s Ward Theatres. Beyond Titan XC, this theater’s sound system features multichannel Dolby Atmos sound, designed to be “immersive” by having each speaker individually programmed to emit a space-sensitive sound. Dolby technicians descended on ‘Olino to fine-tune the system to its precise specifications.
“This is our first luxury cinema in the Consolidated Theatres family,” said Lindsey Chun-Hori, Consolidated’s director of marketing. “We’ve been very focused on elevating the experience. We’ve outfitted this theater with the best and the latest in technology.”
The new theater complex is Consolidated’s ninth on Oahu and its first new complex since 2001. At Consolidated’s Ward 16 theaters in Kakaako, the company upgraded its menu earlier this year and created a “Premiere” wing for viewers 21 and older, where wine and beer are served. More improvements are under consideration, Chun-Hori said.
With development accelerating in Central Oahu, Kapolei now hosts two new theater complexes. In April, Regal Cinemas opened its newest location at Kapolei Commons: a 12-auditorium venue that also aspires to a “luxury” label, with electric reclining seats, a tailor-made menu and wall-to-wall screens.
The Kapolei Commons menu includes a Vietnamese-style sandwich on a French roll; a hamburger topped with bacon, chilies and pineapple; and a kim chee hot dog.
On Hawaii island, private owners announced that a three-screen luxury cinema with upgraded menu, recliners and an outdoor lanai would open at the Waikoloa Beach Resort in 2017.
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On the Net:
>> OlinoTheatres.com
