It has been many years since the cornerstone of the Haleiwa Design District was destroyed. Some will recall the Filipino Movies on Thursday nights in the early 80s. Many people in this North Shore community still reminisce about the surf movies that were shown there in the 70s, while the older folks will recall that first run movies were shown almost daily for the thirty years prior to that.

The building was well suited for live performances as well. Arguably, the largest indoor event ever on the North Shore of Oahu occurred there on the night of May 30, 1982, when the Easter Seal telethon had those thick stone walls rocking to the beat of the times.
Designed in the art deco style, by the architect Hego Fuchino in 1931, the Haleiwa Theatre was constructed with live performances in mind. The stage had a trap door to the dressing rooms below, and balcony windows on either side. The orchestra pit was placed in front of the stage, with the suburb acoustics in mind.
Seating 900, with solid seats on the main floor and cushioned seating in the balcony, the Haleiwa Theatre entertained our community for fifty years. Then, the ill wind of progress suddenly clouded her future.
With a slowdown in the movie business, the owners allowed themselves to be taken into an agreement of sale arrangement with the real estate developer Lee Martin. He promised to renovate the building and brought local investors into his pockets. His renovations and landscaping plans came to nothing, though he did find some surplus pink paint, which he had delivered to the building. Local volunteers, who believed in the Theatre, set about covering the chipped whitewash with fresh pink paint, then green and purple trim.
It was starting to look like a new life for the old building, but Mr. Martin refused to repair the plumbing or electricity. The old projectors needed work and the community was left to figure it out for themselves. Fortunately, one of his investors was allowed to manage the building without interference. 16mm movies and an occasional concert continued to be produced.
Mr. Martin's failure to profit from Seaflight forced him to seek money from his unpaid-for investment. He approached the neighborhood board with a proposal to allow him to sell off a small portion of his (sort of) land to 7-11. He stated that the profits would indeed go into the remodeling of the Haleiwa Theatre. Reluctantly, the board agreed and the parcel was sold. I must stress here that Southland Corp. (7-11) was entirely blameless in the events that soon followed.
Early one Saturday morning, in September of 1983, the town of Haleiwa was awakened to the sound of a tall crane swinging a huge steel ball against the thick stone walls of the theatre. The front entrance and facade were irreparably damaged by eight o'clock in the morning. As the ball pounded the western wall, citizens demanded to see the building permit that would be required for such an act.
When Mr. Martin confessed to not having such a permit, Mayor Eileen Anderson had Judge Moon issue a restraining order against any further destruction of the landmark, until such time as the matter could be reviewed and the proper paperwork issued.
With the initial damage done to the cornerstone of the Haleiwa Design District, in September of 1983, the community looked for a solution to the dilemma created by the greed of a conniving developer. With Judge Moon's restraining order, time was granted to assess the problem. Now, a great deal of money would be needed to repair the building. The city, state and local investors were all unwilling to invest in such a project. A great wrong had been done, but what was to be done about it and by whom?
Out of the rubble of the Haleiwa Theatre arose Captain Haleiwa. Often seen about town in his pink cape, purple tights and jungle boots, the helmeted hero stood his ground in stating that none other than Mr. Lee Martin was responsible for the desecration he had caused, and that he should be required to repair every bit of damage that he had caused.
Court appearances and documental research soon revealed that Mr. Martin was not alone in the unwarranted destruction of a North Shore landmark. Indeed, it was soon revealed that McDonalds of Hawaii was culpable as well. Documents exhibited in court soon proved the Burger Clown had paid Mr. Martin in advance for the land. They required that it be delivered to them in a "usable" condition. That meant that they paid Mr. Lee Martin to destroy the Haleiwa Theatre and hoped to take no blame whatsoever for that illegal act.
Captain Haleiwa was persistent in exposing and embarrassing the perpetrators. He continued to appear, in full drag, at all court hearings, public meetings and media outlets. Alas, it was soon revealed that money talks louder than bold actions or silly suits.
On Thursday morning, November 10, 1983 the town was again awakened to the sound of heavy machinery of the grounds of the Haleiwa Theatre. Most of the theatre had been demolished. The stage area, in the rear of the building stood alone above the rubble. Suddenly, atop the pinnacle, arose the Caped Crusader of the North Shore. Captain Haleiwa stood above the remains, demanding to see the building permit, that had yet to be issued.
When the firemen came to remove him, they realized that he had permission from the property manager and was correct in his requests. He was also armed with a few gallons of used motor oil and rotten egg mcmuffins.
When the police arrived, via helicopter, they were frustrated in landing by the positioning of the pink warrior. Eventually settling on the stage roof, they also realized that his demands for a court order, rescinding the cease and desist order was most reasonable.
Hours later, no paperwork was forthcoming and it was beginning to rain. The officials were tiring of the show and decided to take Captain Haleiwa down. His persistence in his demands caused him to be physically removed and taken to jail.
An hour later, back on the street, there was nothing at all left of the Haleiwa Theatre. Today, the town of Haleiwa has a hamburger stand, with a drive-through.

Captain Rick'sNorth Shore Surf Museum