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    Iao Theater

    4.8 (28 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Carol V.

    What's not to love! So many wonderful events. Mark your calendar once a month Monday evening for ONO One Night Only event. Always free and anything from comedy to a reading of a classic and everything in between. Beautiful historic theater. Located in the heart of Wailuku Town.

    Michelle S.

    Cute little theater in wailuku town. Liked the seats that I had it was roomy but my okole was sore. Can't say much it was dark when I went in and when I left. Lol. Hope to be back to see more shows here..

    Ryan A.

    Made my return to seeing live theater this weekend with a brilliant and hilarious performance of Clue! at the Iao Theater. This was the returning performance after an almost 20 months break! Such a pleasure to finally be out and laughing again, enjoying the arts with my community. The newest rules inside and outside due to the pandemic were efficiently explained and carried out in a very calm and polite way by the lovely and helpful staff. No concessions for this show, but no problem, I was too busy enjoying the show! Had a wonderful time in this historic theater, my first time. I'll be back!

    Not a bad seat in the house
    Sharon T.

    If you get a chance to attend any of the many varied community shows at the Historic Iao theater don't miss the chance. They have a great sound and light system. Seats aren't the most comfortable but don't let that keep you from enjoying the wonderful talent that is showcased here. Once a month they offer ONO(one night only shows for free) we have gone to many of these in last 10 years & have never been disappointed. Main street has quite a few small interesting shops so I'd recommend to go early & walk around & enjoy them before the show.

    Phil Smith blowing the sax like a real pro.
    Georgie H.

    It's been a really long time since I attended an event at the old Iao Theatre and should go there more often. What a lovely blast from the past. We attended a special event called RAM's Got Talent which was sort of a variety show featuring local realtors and other industry types. This year it was the highlights from previous years, so you know it had to be a good show. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the entertainment. I think everybody was having a good time and it's especially nice when you know a lot of the people on stage and in the audience. Let's all support the theater and the people who provide us with entertainment at this classic venue in Wailuku.

    Dean L.

    Final performance of Spam-a-lot. Great show, talent, sets and music. Lots of effort was evidently invested in the show from producing, rehearsals to directing and talent. Of course, all were volunteers that included talent, sets, painting and stage, ticket booth, attendants to concession sales. Awesome venue for a such a small island. Sun July 31, 2016.

    A standing ovation after a show.
    Krys L.

    I can't even count how many performances I've seen here. For a small company there's a lot of talent. The inside of the Iao Theater is much bigger than I originally imagined and well kept. Even my husband (who didn't grow up around the theater) enjoys coming to the shows and making a date night out of the evening. Keep an eye out for matinee showtimes (usually opening week), you can save a couple of dollars.

    Rising Stars indeed
    Urich J. A. B.

    Special treat last night! Maui On Stage presented Aaron Sorkins production "A Few Good Men". Two military lawyers uncover a conspiracy while defending their clients who are two U.S. Marines stationed at the naval base Guantanamo Cuba, who are accused of murder. The entire cast carried the long stretches of rapid fire dialogue flawlessly. This was a first rate stage and cast which would easily take off Broadway Or London west end to task

    Set for on golden pond
    Maria G.

    Wow! Even small-town Wailuku has a beautiful theater. The Iao theater is the home of the Maui OnStage production company. I went here to see the production of on Golden Pond last Friday. The play was about coming to terms with aging and although it was a little slow, I could still appreciate the quality of the actors and set design--which was fantastic! The theater itself is this beautiful structure, well maintained, and kind of reminds me of the Daughters of american Revolution (DAR) constitution hall in DC. They also have a concession stand which sells some Maui based products...like yummy Macaroons and mac nut cookies! If you're spending a lot of time in Maui (like me) and looking for something to do, checking out their productions is definitely worth while. There's some cute restaurants close by so you can make it a dinner/night at theater combo.

    Back stage at the Iao. Wonderful productions throughout the year with amazingly talented local performers.

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    Review Highlights - Iao Theater

    Had a wonderful time in this historic theater, my first time.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Willie Kahaial'i

    Willie Kahaial'i

    4.9(7 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $

    Aloha let's talk about Hawaii's legendary Entertainer. Uncle…read moreWillie K. In our opinion Uncle Willie K, Is the most talented Entertainer in Hawaii today. He can sing, he can play the ukulele, he can play guitar. He can sing Hawaiian, he can sing opera he can sing the blues, he can sing Rock. He plays with his guitarist Jerry, and he plays with his drummer Chris. This Trio can entertain anywhere in the world and make people go crazy and happy all at the same time. If you have a chance to catch one of Uncle Willie K's performances you won't be disappointed. Uncle Willie K is also a wonderful Storyteller and you will learn so much about Hawaiian history Hawaiian music and Hawaiiana itself. Every month Uncle Willie plays at the Blue Note in Waikiki. Hugs Wes n Wanda Anzai Happy Healthy Hawaii The Institute of Advanced Anti-Aging 808-354-8659

    The plan was set. As part of my trip, I had tickets to a "luau" type dinner and show with about…read more500 other people. The show was Willie K. Being totally out of touch with the Hawaiian music scene I thought..."Ut oh. Another Don Ho impersonator." I figured I was was going to eat as fast as I could so that when the show started I could slip out before "Tiny Bubbles" started... The dinner was actually pretty good at the Marriott. As I was finishing my dessert, the lights dimmed for the show to start....and I glanced around picking out my escape route. What came on stage was a huge bulky Samoan with hair that spread out 3 feet in diameter.. As he said in his subsequent monolog, if you were on a bus and he boarded it, you would get off the bus and wait for the next one. As he talked to warm up the audience he was actually pretty funny. Then he started to play. WOW. He played the guitar with a bass player and drummer. That was it. Yet, his playing filled the song....strumming and playing solos that seemed to be simultaneous and continuous. He was doing riffs with full cords that most guitarists would have trouble with single notes. He played a range of pop, oldies, folk, country. His solos were a match to any professional musician on the circuit today. In the middle of his set, he then said he was an out of the box musician.....and certainly he looked the part. But then.....he started to sing opera with a modern arrangement. Yes....this was way out of the box......and his voice was impeccable. A purist would probably argue his voice wasnt the best that the Met had to offer, but I have sat through enough operas to know he would at least qualify to audition at the Met. His 1.5 hour set just whizzed by. His skills as a guitarist were some of the best I have ever seen, bar none (I was an usher at the Greek Theater for 3 years and saw the world's best musicians there) His voice had had incredible range in range and in timbre. He could have a very pure operatic voice or a raspy Joe Cockerish twang. At the end of his performance, the whole audience was captivated and yelling "HANA HO." No...that isn't a Hugh Grant saying but what I was told was that it was Hawaiian for "ENCORE." If you are planning a trip to Hawaii and have some flexibility of dates and where to stay....and if you like great entertainment, see if you can attend a Wille K concert. He is that good. Looking at his bio later, I found he has backed up, played with or opened some of the biggest names in the business. One of his songs was Grammy nominated which didn't surprise me in tne the least. Well....my night didn't go according to plan....and I was glad. I would have stayed until dawn if he chose to play that long. I was fortunate to see such a great entertainer. HANA HO.

    Iao Theater - theater - Updated May 2026

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