{"id":236373,"date":"2026-06-19T16:20:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T02:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=236373"},"modified":"2026-06-19T16:26:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T02:26:46","slug":"uh-hilo-pac-6m-renovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/19\/uh-hilo-pac-6m-renovation\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> Hilo Performing Arts Center set for $6M renovation"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Â鶹´«Ã½Hilo\u2019s Performing Arts Center building<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The heart of University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at Hilo\u2019s creative community is getting a well-deserved upgrade. Beginning in January 2027, the Performing Arts Center<\/a> (PAC<\/abbr>) will undergo a major $6 million renovation, closing its doors for eight months to transform the 50-year-old facility into a more modern, efficient space for artists and audiences alike.<\/p>\n

“We want to ensure we have welcoming and up-to-date facilities for our students, faculty, staff and community that provide a quality environment to showcase the great work and talent of our institution and visiting performers from around the world,” said Lee Barnette-Dombroski, the Performing Arts Center manager.<\/p>\n

Long-awaited face-lift<\/h2>\n
\"aerial<\/a>
Renovations will focus on the lobby, exterior, auditorium and seating.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While the building remains structurally sound, many of its public spaces haven\u2019t been updated since it first opened in 1974. This project aims to change that\u2014focusing heavily on cosmetic and functional upgrades to the exterior, lobby, inner auditorium and box office.<\/p>\n

For Barnette-Dombroski, who has steered the facility for nearly two decades, the renovations are deeply personal and long overdue. When asked what she is most excited to see, her answer combines practical relief with aesthetic excitement: “The expansion of the ladies\u2019 room, new carpet, and fresh paint.”<\/p>\n

Bidding farewell to lengthy lines<\/h2>\n

That restroom expansion isn\u2019t just a minor detail\u2014it is a massive win for anyone who has ever attended a crowded show.<\/p>\n

“The expansion of the ladies\u2019 room will be a big change, reducing the wait time during intermissions and after performances,” Barnette-Dombroski said.<\/p>\n

One last act before intermission<\/h2>\n

Because the facility will be completely closed from January through August 2027, the theatre team is squeezing a lot of energy into a condensed fall 2026 “mini-season.” Patrons can look forward to a vibrant lineup before the construction crews roll in.<\/p>\n

“We\u2019ll have a mini-season in the fall 2026 with a couple of presented artists and an in-house holiday musical production of ‘Dr. Seuss\u2019s How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,’ and of course our fall special event, the 10th Annual Dance Collective,” Barnette-Dombroski said.<\/p>\n

For more go to K\u016bkala N\u016bhou.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

UH<\/abbr> Hilo\u2019s PAC<\/abbr> will close for eight months to modernize into an efficient space for artists and audiences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":236377,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[1789,220,130,14],"class_list":["post-236373","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-kukala-nuhou","tag-performing-arts-center","tag-theatre","tag-uh-hilo","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t