The Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell has completed a six-month renovation and will host its first performance in half a year on March 26.
The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Enterprise Services made the announcement on Monday morning via news release, sharing details of the upgrades to the iconic venue.
The $585,000 renovation project, which began on Oct. 1, 2024, focused on enhancing the Shell’s functionality and improving the overall audio experience, according to the City and County of Honolulu. Key upgrades include a complete electrical service overhaul and modifications to the former orchestra pit. The city improved drainage systems and added new premium seating options near the stage.
The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) oversaw the project, with electrical upgrades designed by ECS Inc. and outdated switchgear replaced by Ridgeway Construction, Inc. Pacific Architects, Inc. designed the seating and barrier improvements, while Molina Engineering handled the construction.
“Listening to people reminisce about their favorite memories at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell — like watching a concert with a bright, full moon slowly rising above Diamond Head in the background, it reinforced our resolve to continue investing in the maintenance of such an iconic facility,” said Dita Holifield, Director of the Department of Enterprise Services, in the news release.
Since opening in 1956, the Waikiki Shell has hosted a wide range of events, from concerts to cultural festivals, and has become a cherished part of Honolulu’s landscape.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such a charming outdoor venue where we are able to host an array of live performances,” Holifield continued. “With DDC Director Haku Milles’ staunch support and guidance, we remain committed to working on future facility upgrades to keep our doors open to the public, and to enhance the experience for our promoters, artists, and their audiences.”
The reopening of the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell ushers in a new era for the venue, starting with Kehlani on March 26 and Boyz II Men on April 26.
However, the free Kilohana Hula Show, which moved from the Waikiki Shell to the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound last September to allow for the renovations, will not be returning to the Shell, according to City and County of Honolulu spokesperson Scott Humber.
The Kapiolani Park Preservation Society had previously raised concerns that the free hula event would eventually be supported by a commercial luau show at night. But Humber said the decision to stay at the Kuhio Beach location was made by the Kilohana Hula Show, which is operated by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
“My guess is they didn’t want to bounce back and forth,” Humber added.
