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Palikū Theatre is available for organizations to rent on a space-available basis. Our rates are extremely reasonable when compared to other venues in town, and our personnel are great to work with.

Concerts, drama, musicals, dance programs, film festivals, lectures, Hawaiian music sessions — they’re all part of what island groups can produce in Palikū Theatre.

Contacts

Nicole Tessier
Theatre Manager
tessier@hawaii.edu
808-235-7330

R. Andrew Doan
Theatre Technician
radoan@hawaii.edu
808-561-9690

Palikū Theatre Facility Use Checklist

Six Easy Steps to renting our theatre for your event

  1. Contact us to check availability
    Call or email Theatre Manager Nicole Tessier to determine which dates are available.
  2. Fill out and send in the application form
    Once your dates have been determined, fill out and send in the application form that we email you. Reservations over the phone are considered “penciled-in” and are not guaranteed. After we receive both your rental application and a deposit, your date(s) will then be confirmed.
  3. Send us a deposit check
    Your event is considered officially reserved when we receive both the application and deposit. The deposit check for $500 should be made out to the University of Hawaii. Dates “penciled-in” during the initial phone call or email are at risk of being bumped by clients who are able to make a firm commitment with a deposit. We reserve the right to replace any client who has not sent a deposit. The deposit is refundable up until 90 days before the show.
  4. Furnish proof of liability insurance
    Palikū Theatre is part of Windward Community College, a unit of the University of Hawaii system, governed by insurance rules spelled out on page two of our application form. Please read the small print, because it is very important. All organizations must be covered by Liability Insurance. Proof of Insurance must be furnished at least 30 days prior to the event. Even if you have paid a deposit, your event can be cancelled and replaced if you have not furnished this proof and UH will not be liable for the consequences to you caused by that cancellation.
  5. Contact our Theatre Technician about your staging, lights and sound
    It is required that you contact us regarding your technical needs no later than 14 days prior to your event. Our Theatre Technicians are responsible for all matters involving the mainstage and backstage areas, including stage configuration, tech installation, running times, lighting, audio, rigging and staging needs, and technical staff.

    We will determine the minimum technical staff needed and provide you with a list of qualified technicians approved to work here. Any technicians you hire will need to be approved by us at least 7 days prior to your event and you will be responsible for paying them directly. A Production Schedule is required 7 days in advance which should include set-up of sound and lighting equipment and adequate lunch and dinner breaks.

    One of our Theatre Technicians is required anytime you are in the theatre
    Their time is billable from when the doors open to let your first person in to when the last person from your group exits the building.
  6. Getting your invoice
    After your event, you will be sent a billing worksheet to approve. Once approved, you will get an invoice for your balance due from the University of Hawaii. Your final invoice from us will cover the total actual daily facility costs, equipment rentals, the Theatre Technician and House Manager, minus your initial deposit. Amount due is always based on actual times and conditions of your performances, and may differ from the original estimates if changes in event conditions warrant. All checks for final payment should be made out to University of Hawaii. You will pay all other technical crew directly. Checks are typically paid to them the day of the event after they present you an invoice.

Thank you for your interest in Palikū Theatre.
We believe this is one of the finest venues in the state, and we strive to make every event as professionally produced as possible. We value your use of our facility and will do whatever we can to help make it a success. We look forward to having you as our “guest artists” at Palikū Theatre.

Our Theatre Features

  • Proscenium or Thrust stage configurations
  • Sophisticated lighting and sound
  • Professional 48’ fly-loft and rigging
  • Sprung-support dance flooring
  • Front or rear video projection

Our Kuleana

We provide professional, affordable, and captivating arts experiences for our audiences and performers alike. We train students of the arts with the finest faculty in the most professional facilities. We are an integral part of the arts community on the Windward side, and allow audiences from all over O‘ahu to discover the opportunities which abound at Windward Community College’s Palikū Theatre.

Helpful Information

Seating Configurations

The front part of the stage can be moved into a thrust configuration, which projects out into the audience. However, it does reduce your available seating by 52.