Kahilu was founded in 1980 by Richard Smart, heir to the Parker Ranch and accomplished Broadway actor. Kahilu continues to entertain Hawai’i Island residents and its visitors with performances from all over the world and from the state of Hawai’i. The theatre has a 490-seat concert hall, a black box performance area with a 75-person capacity called the Mike Luce Studio, and two beautiful art galleries.

Since its inception, Kahilu has presented artists from every genre including dance troupes, plays, symphony orchestras, chamber music quartets, acrobats, jugglers, taiko drummers, jazz bands, hula halaus, ballet dancers, comedians, pianists, guitarists, Hawaiian musicians, opera companies, singers, films, and educational programs.