The four-screen Consolidated Theatres at Kukui Mall will close next month after 20 years at the Kihei shopping complex.
The company said it will close the theaters Nov. 15 because its lease is up at the end of the month.
"The land lease for the property expires on November 30, at which time Consolidated Theatres will return the property to the landowner," Rod Tengan, regional manager for Consolidated Theatres said in a statement to The Maui News.
Article Photos
Consolidated Theatres’ location at Kukui Mall will close Nov. 15 after 20 years at the Kihei shopping complex. The company decided to close the four-screen theater because its lease is up Nov. 30.
The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
He said all 13 employees at the Kukui Mall location have been offered opportunities to transfer to the company's theaters at the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center in Kahului.
"After 20 years of serving Maui residents, Consolidated Theatres remains firmly committed to Maui and will maintain a strong presence on the island," Tengan said. "Plans are currently under way to renovate (the Ka'ahumanu theaters), including replacing all seats and interior renovations as well as making upgrades to the theaters' projection and sound systems."
The Kukui Mall location is currently the only movie theater servicing South Maui. CBRE Inc. leasing agents for the mall did not immediately respond to calls inquiring about the possibility of another theater tenant for the space.
The proposed Downtown Kihei project, which is still in the early planning stages, could help fill the void.
An environmental study for the proposed mixed-use project outlines plans for a 44,180-square-foot movie theater building, as well as a hotel, shops, restaurants and office space on 27 acres along Piikea Avenue.
