Kahilu Theatre Foundation

In the past, I would have given four or five stars for the Kahilu theater. However, at a recent production of RENT, on a Saturday evening, they lost my support. There was an obvious problem with the sound system, you couldn't understand what anyone was saying or singing, but they did nothing about it, not even announcing that there was a problem or apologizing to the public that paid to see the performance. During intermission, dozens of people, maybe over a hundred, left the theater and drove away. I had several conversations with people who had experienced exactly what we had. I even spoke to an usher, who confided that "they were upstairs trying to figure out the problem. "
I had hoped that the Kahilu Theater would email an apology and offer credit for a future production, but no such thing happened. I wrote to the theater, expressing the way I felt, and never got a response. It has given me a very bad taste of how this theater is being run, when they're not taking care of their patrons.

We are visiting Hawaii for the first time and decided to check out the Robert Cazimero performance.

The venue was lovely and the staff was great. We absolutely loved checking out the art gallery before the show.

We watched Kanu O Ka Aina perform some amazing Kahiko. I have not seen such wonderful and passionate performances ever in Hawaii. Congratulations to the Staff and children. Their performances were wonderful! I can't wait for next year!

Excellent place to attend a concert.
We've really enjoyed every time we have been there.

Great music, friendly staff, clean/comfortable theater. We've been there twice and really enjoyed the shows. You can also purchase wine/beer to enjoy during the shows while at your seats. We will continue to support and drive from East side of island to do so.:)

Best venue on "Big Island" Hawaii. Clean, great acoustics, well organized. We are lucky to have this wonderful showplace.

Wonderful show and a great venue for them and others. Thank goodness we are so fortunate to have The Kahilu Theatre where world renowned artists and musician can perform.

First time there. Seats were good. Not sure if there's a bug problem felt I was getting bit. Had bites on my trunk and wrists. Hmmm very itchy

Just went to a concert one usually dances to and felt particularly uncomfortable dancing in my seat. The juxtaposition of lecture style seating and Anuhea just wasn't for me! That was my bad, this was my first time at this location and my 5th Anuhea concert, and couldn't pass it up! I wasn't sure what to expect so I'll share my abbreviated experience.
At this reggae concert, there wasn't an intermission, as I was expecting in a venue of this sort where the median age was like 60.
They also didn't serve booze or snacks. (I've been to similar venues pre-covid and they at least had drinks for sale before and during.)
It is a drive. If coming from Hilo, give yourself at least an hour and a half. If you're a tourist, the drive is gorgeous and you will be tempted to pull over and detour if it's daytime and your first time up that way.
There are some places open for before an evening event, but as much of the island is, expect things to be closed or closing when you get out of the event. Eat/drink first! I saw people with water bottles, but that's it.
Now why the 5*? ! It's a beautiful drive, a gorgeous location, every seat is good as far as I can tell! There are plenty of places to eat nearby before the event. The sound was beautiful and the place was well kept. If this is your thing, go! Maybe just not to a reggae concert, unless they open up a dance floor!

Great music groups broght in for concerts at Kahilu Theatre. Small town, Waimea, in the middle of Hawaiian cowboy country!

Great spot just need to get some talent, bands rhat use other bands names just to draw a crowd, the concert I saw was 50 dollars and it was a dive bar band that sucked left after first song second set.

There may not be much to do in waimea, but at least we have this theater that hosts many fine events.