The 5 Biggest Secrets Of Regal Dole Cannery: IMAX With Laser, 4DX, And The Ghost In Theater 14

The Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 in Honolulu, Hawaii, is far more than just a typical cinema. As of late 2025, this massive entertainment complex, situated in the historic Iwilei district, has solidified its status as a premier movie-going destination, boasting an unprecedented number of premium formats in one location, including the revolutionary IMAX with Laser, ScreenX, 4DX, and RPX experiences. The theater’s current vibrancy stands in stark contrast to its industrial past and the unsettling legends that continue to cling to its old walls.

Far from the "run-down" reputation it may have had years ago, the Dole Cannery theater has undergone a significant transformation, now offering a cutting-edge, immersive cinematic experience that draws crowds from across Oahu. Yet, for every modern upgrade, there is a chilling, centuries-old story—a dual identity that makes this unique Honolulu landmark a must-visit for both film enthusiasts and paranormal investigators.

The Dole Cannery's Unexpected Biography and Historical Timeline

The history of the Dole Cannery complex is a fascinating journey that parallels the rise of Hawaii's most iconic industry: pineapple. The cinema itself is merely the latest chapter in a story that began over a century ago.

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• Location: 735 B Iwilei Rd, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96817
• Current Operator: Regal Cinemas (Cineworld Group)
• Original Entity: Hawaiian Pineapple Co. (HPC) Cannery
• Founding Figure: James Dole, famously known as "The Pineapple King"
• Cannery Construction: Completed in 1907 in the Iwilei section of Honolulu.
• Cannery Operation Period: 1907 until its closure in 1992.
• Redevelopment: The vast 700,000 square foot industrial complex was redeveloped into a mixed-use office and retail center, now managed by Castle & Cooke.
• Theater Opening: The cinema complex, originally operated by Signature Theatres and designed by Uesugi & Associates, opened as a major entertainment anchor for the revitalized Cannery.
• Key Premium Formats: IMAX with Laser, ScreenX, 4DX, and RPX (Regal Premium Experience).
• Architectural Style: Industrial-to-retail conversion, maintaining elements of the massive original pineapple processing plant.

The Industrial Past: From Pineapple King to Premium Cinema

The entire complex is a monument to James Dole's vision. In 1907, the Hawaiian Pineapple Co. (HPC) built the massive Iwilei Cannery, which quickly became the world's largest pineapple processing plant. This facility was a cornerstone of the Iwilei section of Honolulu, with its operations closely linked to the Oahu Rail and Land Company. The cannery operated for decades until it finally closed its doors in 1992, leaving a massive industrial footprint in the heart of the city.

The subsequent transformation of the site by developers like Castle & Cooke into The Shops at Dole Cannery, a major office and retail center, was a significant redevelopment project. The cinema, now known as Regal Dole Cannery, became the crown jewel of this revitalization, bringing modern entertainment to a site steeped in Hawaii’s industrial history.

The Ultimate Movie Experience: Four Premium Formats Under One Roof

What truly sets the Regal Dole Cannery apart in the competitive Honolulu market is its staggering array of Premium Large Format (PLF) options. It is one of the few cinemas globally to feature four distinct, top-tier immersive experiences, ensuring every movie fan can find their perfect screening environment.

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The recent upgrades, including the installation of the most advanced technology, directly address previous concerns about the theater's condition, making it a cutting-edge venue for new releases and special events.

1. IMAX with Laser: The Gold Standard

The centerpiece of the cinema’s premium offerings is the newly upgraded IMAX with Laser auditorium. This technology represents a revolutionary leap forward in cinematic presentation, utilizing 4K laser projection to deliver brighter images, deeper contrast, and a wider color gamut than standard digital projection. Paired with IMAX's signature precision sound system, it offers an unparalleled level of immersion for blockbuster films.

2. 4DX: The Full Sensory Ride

The 4DX format is a full-sensory experience that turns a movie into a theme park ride. The seats move, shake, and rumble in sync with the action on screen. Environmental effects—including wind, fog, lightning, rain, and even scents—are integrated into the viewing experience, making you feel the speed of a car chase or the spray of the ocean.

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3. ScreenX: The 270-Degree Panoramic View

ScreenX pushes the boundaries of the traditional auditorium by expanding the film onto the side walls. This 270-degree panoramic format uses multiple projectors to surround the audience with images, offering an incredible sense of scale and peripheral vision, especially during sweeping landscape shots or intense action sequences.

4. RPX: Regal Premium Experience

The RPX auditorium, or Regal Premium Experience, is designed for those seeking a high-end, comfortable screening. It features custom-built sound systems, brighter projection, and plush, oversized seating. RPX is often utilized for films that demand a powerful audio-visual presentation but without the motion effects of 4DX or the expanded screen of IMAX.

The Chilling Secret: Is Dole Cannery Theater Haunted?

Beyond the cutting-edge technology, the Dole Cannery complex harbors a darker, more intriguing reputation: it is widely considered one of the most haunted places on Oahu. The sheer size and age of the former pineapple processing plant, combined with its location near an ancient temple site, have fueled decades of chilling legends and reported paranormal activity.

The stories are detailed and specific, often focusing on the cinema itself, which was built right into the historic structure.

The Ghosts of the Fatal Bus Crash

One of the most persistent legends involves the tragic victims of a fatal bus crash that is said to have occurred near the site decades ago. Visitors and employees have reported hearing disembodied voices, the sounds of children playing, and other inexplicable noises emanating from empty areas of the complex, particularly the restrooms near the theaters.

The Faceless Woman and Theater 14’s Patron

Another disturbing tale involves the ghost of a faceless woman, whose presence is said to haunt the corridors of the theater. However, the most famous and specific haunting is tied to a single auditorium: Theater Number 14. Numerous accounts describe a ghostly theater patron, a man in his late 50s, who favors a corner seat in the auditorium. He is allegedly seen watching the audience from the top corner, a silent, spectral observer of the modern movie-going crowd. These spine-tingling accounts add a layer of dark curiosity to the otherwise upbeat experience of catching a new release at the Regal Dole Cannery.

The Dole Cannery theater is a perfect blend of past and present—a historic industrial site transformed into a hub of modern entertainment. Its unique combination of multiple premium formats like IMAX with Laser, 4DX, and ScreenX, alongside its deep-rooted history as the Hawaiian Pineapple Co. cannery and its reputation for being haunted, secures its place as one of the most unique and compelling entertainment destinations in the entire state of Hawaii.