Here comes Coco Palms 2026. Despite the horrendous traffic, no beach, plus development, cultural, and staffing concerns, redevelopment of the long-gone resort starts now.
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72 thoughts on “Coco Palms Kauai Rebuild Starts Now | Unbelievable?”
Our first visit to Kauai was June 1994. Kauai was still recovering from Hurricane Inki in 1992. On later trips, we drove past Coco Palms hoping to see if any restoration was taking place. It is a shame for the site and the community that nothing ever came to fruition. The idea of a cultural center seemed to be something that would a compromise, but now it appears that is off the table. Hope there is a resolution to preserve the history of the site.
Unfortunately, it took too long for Kauai to do anything about it and although it’s shame that an outside developer from Utah will be given priority over locals, the unsightly complex looks more like an empty parking facility. Are there any local builders on Kauai? Why not require those builders coming to Kauai to train locals on trades that would be beneficial to them in the long run? I live in Maui and there is a housing shortage, but locals were not taught how to build houses, so that will have to be taken care of my outsiders once again ….
This is terrible news. The owner has no idea what he’s in for. Another example of people from off island just bulldozing over our culture and sensitive ecosystems.
His first visit? Wow.
Here’s to hoping for a smooth and swift change of plans, instead of a long dramatic failure that involves more devastation for Kauai.
Mahalo Nui Loa, Beat of Hawaii.
You’re the best.
Aloha and blessings always 🌺
Now is the time for government officials to work with developers to put together a collaborative plan that improves traffic, retail, housing & beachfront that works well with development of the Coco Palms. The developers should incorporate reasonable living accommodations for workers to help solve that issue. There is nearby property that might be included for housing, improved restaurants/retail, etc. for and long-term desirable overall development in this area. This could become a true win, win, win, win.
Sadly, this is yet again another example of the stronghold the resort and hotel industry has on the islands. It’s very sad. In my opinion the goal of the islands’ government is to promote an expensive, exclusive vacation destination, reducing the number of tourists that can afford to come here, utilizing tour groups to visit the “hot spots” thus reducing tourist traffic, parking issues etc. A ” most bang for the buck” mentality.
Just what Hawaiʻi needs…
People complain about nothing getting done to clean-up the eyesore. Then people complain that the eyesore will get cleaned up. Nobody is ever happy. People complain about the traffic, but people do nothing to fix the traffic. People complain about a lack of jobs, but people don’t want to work for the jobs that are being created…
If locals don’t want any outside interests coming in and spending over $200 Million or more, but locals don’t want to spend their own money on their own lands’ improvements, then things stay the way they are. Complain about why nothing ever gets done to fix things.
You can’t fix traffic on an already congested highway by building a new development right next to it. It just can’t be done. Unless the development completely bans cars and installs some sort of monorail in and out of town and to the airport. But nobody in the United States has the courage to do some thing like that.
I thought there were monorails in the US, but it looks like those are no longer operating. The rest of the world is just doing fine with them, but engineering doesn’t seem to be on the high list of accomplishments in the US!
Can’t wait to see the project scale model! And I wonder if there are any plans to “re-sand” the beach for guests. The more they incorporate a taste of “Blue Hawaii” and local cultural authenticity, the better for neighbors and advertising. That would include a torch lighting ceremony and hula, of course.
Employee housing is a Great idea, as is offering student intern deals, first to Hawaiian college kids and second to mainland hospitality colleges (Princeton, etc.)
They have a great chance to do this right!!!
This is an example of failed leadership at the county and state level. The people of Kauai deserve better.
Aloha,. And the Coco Palms beat goes on.
This appears to me of yet another example of outside interests, monied interests, coming to the islands with their own own plans at the cost of locals.
Locals will resent this project everytime they slowly , because of Kapaa crawl, drive by this project and shake their collective heads. Visitors for years have done the same thing.
How this situation has been allowed to go on for 30 years should be investigated! Locals won’t want to work there but we will demonstrate our objections to this project, actively!
Locals elect the politicians who oversee this fiasco. There is plenty of blame to go around, but ultimately, it is not on outside interests, local government must represent what the majority of citizens actually want, and that has been abundantly clear for over 2 decades.
Agree with “How this situation has been allowed to go on for 30 years should be investigated! “
There still are such things as property rights