07-01-2016, 09:26 AM
The Kress, like many other budget theaters, closed when film distributors switched to a digital only formats which required investment in expensive equipment. Small town theaters all over the country shut down as a result. The chances of anyone opening a new theater in Puna are slim to none, because legitimate distribution is limited to the new expensive format and it isn't technically legal to just plug into an HDMI projector to show movies for money. Summer youth programs, schools and preschools do it all the time, but are also technically engaging in theft of intellectual property. Too bad, the Akebono would be a great place for family movie nights once a week or even one weekend a month as a community fundraiser for some non profit like the Pahoa clinic.