It’s been about a year since it was sold again. What’s up now at Coco Palms.
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488 thoughts on “Infamous Coco Palms Kauai | Why It Just Won’t End”
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It’s been about a year since it was sold again. What’s up now at Coco Palms.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
Stayed here in 1990 was really excited to hear that it was being developed by Hyatt. Hope it happens, I will be back.
I was so excited to see demo begin and Hyatt named as operator. I really thought this time the magic was about to be resurrected. I have been fascinated with this hotel ever since I saw it in 1999. Even in its damaged state it teased me with its potential. My mentor taught for a year in Kapa’a in the 60’s and told of the many wonderful times she had there. I still hold out hope that one day it will be rebuilt so I can visit my favorite island and stay there.
Coco Palms enchanted me during my honeymoon in May of 1976. Hawaiian dancers lighting torches, open air dining, smooth warm air as darkness falls, towering palm trees, …my eyes well with tears at the thought that this could be lost forever. Please, God…please re-breathe into Coco Palms the magical mystique, the soul-refreshing peace, it once possessed.
Sad to see native values in conflict with growth and economic development that would benefit local residents. I worked for Island Holidays in the 1970s and 1980s and was fortunate to watch the resort grow and improve. It provided jobs for many people, and served to help many visitors learn about the same Hawaiian culture that the people camping there now wish to preserve.
Whether or not this amazing place is rebuilt, there likely will be the need for a 6 lane highway to carry traffic to the North Shore. Who wants to go to a park at the side of the highway?
I truly hope the developers and the preservationists, and the nativists, get together to decide what is best for all the people of Kauai not just their own interests.
In the mid 60’s I was a flight attendant with NWA and subsequently had the opportuity to vacation at the Coco Palms. It was magical. The torchlight ceremony, dancers, open air restaurant and the beautifully landscaped grounds with towering palm trees. A splendid memory.that haunts me and has called me back to check it out and long for a repeat experience. Coincidentally when I last visited in 2016 I met the daughter of the musician that headed the Coco Palms nightly band for years. She was the owner/director of a hula dance school and held authentic hula performances in the park just down from the Coco Palms – a most enjoyable show,
My wish: bring back the magic of the original hotel!
Our family first visited Coco Palms in the early 80s. We so enjoyed our time there and loved the torch lighting ceremonies as well as the open-air restaurant. As someone else said Grace and “Big John” did treat their guests as family. I remember eating fresh coconuts every day as the staff showed our youngest son how to open the coconuts that fell daily. We stayed there every time we visited Kauai until it was destroyed and have been hoping it will be reopened. We sincerely hope and pray it will reopen in time for us to visit with our grandchildren.
we had spent our honeymoon there was hoping to make it back there we waited till this year in hopes we would be able to stay there, we would have been 45 years since being there. we could wait no longer so we are staying at a place near by so we could at least visit there. we wish it would have been done by august 2018. we had so many memories of there.
Spent our honeymoon there in 1971 and it was such a magical place. How can the bureaucrats make it so difficult for the people who want to restore it? The trip to the Fern Grotto with the Smith Family, the solid lave bathtubs, the lighting of the torches, the kids fishing in the creek that ran thru it and so much more.
The most memorable time I can remember is when my wife I stayed at the Coco Palms for our first anniversary in 1986. We have some WONDERFUL photos of the grounds, the lagoon, the dining room, the room, etc; Even though there was no beach access, we drove to where we wanted to go or took the bus. We loved the peace and quiet of the resort. I have been following the resort and was thrilled when they said it was going to be renovated and reopened. Now I am heartbroken. I was planning a trip back! and for those of you saying make it a park…..look at the other parks in Hawaii. Breeding ground for the homeless and drug addicts. We quit going to parks…and never will. Except for Fort DeRussy on Oahu! God bless all…and please reopen the Coco Palms.
Bob
There is enough tourists traffic here on kauai the way it’s going you will need a six lane highway .make the eyesore a park where all can come n enjoy plus a museum of the culture of the Hawaiian people charge a few dollars n it will pay for itself not another hotel . We’re did the Hawaiian spirit go from here it’s not what it was like 45 plus years ago it’s cooperate America n the west coast lnfluence that has land grab for a profit affordable housing is on its way out because of it the everyday prices are go out of site life was easy here once lets reclaim it make the locals comfortable not making uneasy . Let’s bring the spirit back .
That was not just another hotel, that was an Icon. That would be like turning the King Kamaeama’s fish pond into a commercial park or one of the other sacred places.
My husband and I spent our honeymoon there in 1972. We walked across the highway ( not busy then) and spent wonderful days on the beach. We even had dinner at the owners home with a small group of other guests). We so wanted to return for our 45th. Now am so sad to hear it might not ever open. My parents had also stayed there. It truely was a wonderful place and I guess those of us who were lucky enough to experience Coco Palms should just be happy about that 😎
Kathleen
Ever since I heard that it might reopen I have started saving for a trip to Hawaii just to visit this location. I truly hope that this place can reopen as it is an incredible piece of Hawaiian history.
Amen….well stated
our situation was the same but one year after you were there, my father bivouacked during world war II before shipping to new guinea then again in the late 1960’s.
I stayed there a number of times in the 80’s, it was a magical place. The torch lighting and cocktail receptions were amazing. Grace and “Big John” treated all like family!!
I hope this happens. My family stayed there during the filming of Blue Hawaii. I was just a small child. Come back Cocoa Palms.
Wow!!! Any movie set/production pics?
We visited this magical hotel two weeks before Iniki. Everyone will lose should the reopening not materialize. But we wish what is the best for Hawaii and it’s people. Time will answer. Meanwhile, my family waits a few years more. Other Islands have been revisited, including Kauai, but we deeply and sincerely long for this treasure. I guess you had to have seen it before Iniki to know how those fortunate to have known the Coco Palms feel.
Could some one get married on the grounds?
There was a wedding chapel and many marriages were performed there in Hawaiian garb.
My wife and I visited the Coco Palms a couple of months before it was destroyed. What a truly magical place it was. We have waited patiently for years to revisit but decided, last year, we could wait no longer and visited a couple of the other islands instead. How sad that it looks like this renovation will not take place. We will be returning to the islands in another couple of years and would love to be able to stay at the new resort. I hope the problems it faces can be overcome but it is looking very doubtful now.
we were waiting too but time has run out but with this last development there is a glimar of hope will have to see when we visit that island in early august.
Man, I think i’m related to The KING too
(witch King we talking about?)
We thoroughly enjoyed our honeymoon at Coco Palms in May, 1977. We have always wanted to return, and we were heart broken when the resort took such a beating in ’92. We would love to visit again. We finally returned to Kauai last year with some friends and, news alert, it is still a magic space despite the passage of time and the beating it took. It is our fond hope that the disputes between Hyatt and the local inhabitants are resolved before litigation, which is replete with risk and unintended consequences. Mahalo
The site of the hotel is at the mouth of the Wailau river and has a connection to the Naha stone? Pele!!!
It should be re open because this place is a great business start up as a purpose of resort the location it acquiring is good enough and it can be huge tourist spot if it is opened once again.
Our family stayed down the street from Coco Palms when I was about 7 years old. We spent a whole summer on the beach and traveling around the island and playing in and around Coco Palms. It was magical to us as we watched the Hawaiian Fire dancers light the Tiki Torches in the evening. I’m now 66 years old which helps explain the age of Coco Palms. We spent many days and nights playing under the palm trees and in the small ponds in and around the resort. We have gone back to Kauai many times over the years and I’m always drawn to Coco Palms! I’d love to see another resort built at Coco Palms and I know it would be a great success to the island, it’s people and to the tourist who would for sure come and stay!
Aloha,
Spent my first honeymoon there two years before Iniki. I enjoyed the nostalgia that it had then.
Thank you for all of the updates you post.
I have a question about Hawaiian flights from Phoenix. Do you think they will replace the 767 we currently have with the A321 Neo? The flight here always seems full. It doesn’t make much sense to me to use a smaller plane.
Mahalo,
Kendall
Hi Kendall.
Basic answer is yes. Our take is that they will add flights to other islands from Phoenix and then depending on what’s left, determine if it can be accommodated with 321neo.
Aloha.
The Hawaiian people are being pushed off their islands by the greedy corporations (Hyatt)
The traffic is bad enough without this planned development of the Coco Palms
I hope the rightful owners get what they deserve and the property is turned into a place where native Hawaiian people can reside
John
Hi everyone, I was there in about 1965 i was 6 maybe 7yrs old, born in Hawaii in 1959, I remember Coco Palms as very beautiful, I agree with John L and others…
If this squatting issue were here in Canada (B.C. or Alberta) ..well, they would be the new owners – of the portion of land they are on, i have read extensive legal papers on this matter – here and other places in the US anyway, if the present owners(Hyatt and/or affiliated companies/individual/protection/care takers etc:) have seen squaters and posible farm animals and have acknowledged them by waving, or even interacting by speaking (pleasantly of course lol) with them, posibly even received monies from them as a good faith gesture, and the portion of land and maybe it’s buildings are kept clean..I have to say and not because they are Hawaiians squating, (however that could tighten the deal more so) they may own that area that they are living in – (plain and simple, [possibly even, fee-simple] no pun intended)!
let them have what they are on, and give the rest to Children Education so as to teach others how to – “Toil the Soil” a program – with Taro or extinct or endangered species of flowers, birds, animals, etc maybe build canoes or stage Authentic Hawaiian Monarchy plays (procedes to fund the “Toil the Soil” program)
Mahalo
John A
Calgary, Alberta
We stayed at the Coco Palms on our first visit to Kawaii in 1975. We were heartbroken when the hurricane destroyed this beautiful property. Hearing that Hyatt has taken on the project to rebuild and maintain the history of this resort is exciting. To recognize the heritage of this site is noble yet short sighted. Restoring this grand property will bring recognition to Hawaiian history and to Kawaii. Those of us who have been privileged to stay at the Coco Palms have fond memories of the Palm grove and the stories told of ancient Hawaiians. We gained a strong love for the people of Hawaii that has brought us back to the islands each year. We are anxious for the Coco Palms to reopen and once again stay among the palms. Please keep us posted.
Billie and Johnnie
First of all, congratulations on nearly 10 years with this blog. I can’t remember how long I have subscribed but it’s my way of visiting the islands even when we can’t actually come.
We had so hoped to be able to have a meal at the restaurant there when we visited earlier this month. Was very disappointed to see that there was absolutely no progress at all. And then of course we were ill and would not have been able to do that anyway.
We have mixed feelings on the property. The area is so busy and the traffic so heavy. That would mean early morning traffic noise for sleeping guests. Not exactly my idea of an ideal Hawaiian vacation.
The park idea sounds like a better one. Keep the Lagoon and beautify the property. I too agree that the squatters should be required to develop the property significantly. If they cannot they should move on. Of course, I may feel differently if I were a relative of the king and someone was trying
to take my property. Pretty hard to prove those allegations though. Leaves everything In a flux.
Mahalo for 10 years of Hawaiian updates!
Hi Colleen.
Thank you. You’re one of the best parts of Beat of Hawaii. So sorry things didn’t work out as you’d planned for this trip. A hui hou!
Aloha.
Coco-Palms is history. IF construction were to begin the cost would be high it
might take a 95% occupancy at a $1000/nt rack rate to breakeven.
Tear it all down and turn it into a mini cultural center/theme park
My wife and I stayed at the Coco Palms many years ago. We were impressed with the large clamshell sink and the Hawaiian hospitality. It was exciting to see the torch lighting ceremony every night by the lagoon. That was when Kauai had only one stop light on the island. We return to Kauai at least once every year. We’ll be there in April and May. If you are taking a poll on what I think best for the property, my vote is to construct a County Park. Traffic is already a nightmare, so you don’t need more hotels and rental cars. As for the squatting Hawaiians, maybe you could require them to develop their property or lose it to eminent domain.
I agree – a County Park would bring life back to land.
Those Hawaiians arenʻt squatting. Maybe you could adjust your attitude towards them and what they are doing there, since you enjoy your vacation spot so much.
Have been going to Kauai every year for 40 years and have seen much change. My present husband & I were married in the Coco Palms chapel in the back of the property in 1985. There was also a zoo behind the chapel & we talked story with the zoo keeper–think his name was Charlie who has been designated as an Island Treasure I believe. Ran across him several years ago as he was in the parking lot with his severance check as the last caretakers were being laid off. He kindly took us on a private tour of the grounds and chapel. Think he is gone now. Like many Kauaians he had much aloha. More friendly people do not exist in this world. Recently returned in December after several years away as my husband no longer travels, but my wonderful son & daughter-in-law took me to Haena on the North Shore. Hanalei & the Tahiti Nui are very special to me. I read the Garden Island News daily while there. Please, please, please do not allow building 800 homes in Kapaa unless they are for the island born & bred. They have such a desperate time finding reasonable housing while mainlanders come, buy, and rent out much of the real estate available. Now I’ll step down off my soap box. Dearly love Kauai and want the best for all who reside there.
Thank you for the update on the Coco Palms resort. Our family stayed there in March 1972 after my dad’s last tour in Vietnam. It was definitely a notable luxury resort at that time and we felt privileged to stay there.
I haven’t been back to The Islands since then, and have always hoped to stay at the Coco Palms again. Happy New Year to all!
Hi Lynn.
And to you!
Aloha.
I was in Kauai, I think in 99… Passing by that place to go to the rental house we had near there…. I noticed the row of trees and it rang a bell…
I thought I had seen it somewhere
I am from Canada, at the time I was living in Japan and I was on vacation in Hawaii..
At the house we rented, there was a book of films made in Hawaii and wouldn’t you know it? They showed that place called Coco Palms where they shot the famous “Hawaiian Wedding Song” at the end of Blue Hawaii.
I just HAD TO go and see it for myself.
🙂
Luckily, I could go near the place, look around, walk a bit near there and take some pictures.
There were no constructions or anything.
I was lucky I guess.
Nice to see that little canal thing where they shot that bit of film
Thank you for updating us about that place.
I never had the chance to go back to Kauai, but I went back to Hawaii a few times after that, the last time was Maui Dec 2015, so it is great to hear that it is still around…
We’ll see what happens
(yes I am still in Canada, cold Quebec) (and reading Beat of Hawaii for a while now…
Sorry for the long, but true, story
🙂
Mahalo
Hi. We’ve been driving by almost every day the past week and haven’t seen any action at the site so today (Oct 23,2017) we parked the car so I could get a better look. No chance to see the “river” from the road – Mother Nature has been very busy. There was a securuty guard on site who very kindly let me stand next to him (but well outside the inner fence area) so I could get a few photos. He explained that I could not enter because they were about to start construction. So sad to see such a unique and historic place falling apart. Not much to see except mostly a skeleton of the original structures, but a wee bit of yellow is sticking out from the greenery, that I’m fairly certain is the boat. Here’s to hoping Hyatt keeps the feel of the original CP.
my wife and I enjoyed our 1st wedding anniversary at coco palms we have been following any and all developments of the resort we look forward to the opening in 2018 and hopes to be there in 2018 when it opens back up.
Thank you so much for all useful information, always interested in the airfares. Was happy to see your update on Coco Palms. My husband and I had many favorite moments there. We stayed there many times from the late 1980’s through 2,000. Kauai was out favorite island to visit. Would love to return once it opens as the Hyatt Coco Palms. Thanks again.
Hi Linda.
Thank you. You should be in good shape with many new routes to open in the next year or so. Not sure about the hotel opening date, but there should be more on that upcoming.
Aloha.
I support the Hawaiians but the fact that now, after 60 years, they take a long lost interest in the property is a bit questionable. Why did they wait until Hyatt purchased it? Perhaps because it now has value? Why weren’t they concerned back when hurricane Iniki hit the resort on September 11, 1992. Unfortunalely the “entitlement” mentality, is also alive and well in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. As in the mainland, there are people who use their culture to benefit themselves, even though it’s only a facade to get what they want especially when the possibility of financial gain exists. They need to remember that they are holding up progress, which is also holding up all the new jobs that the opening of this resort will bring to their family and friends that want to work. I’m sure this is only a handful of people that are really not representative of the majority of Hawaiian people. It hurts my heart to think this exists in the amazing state of Hawaii. When many of us mainlanders visit, we go with the unrealistic belief that we’re escaping this type of behavior because we’re some how in a “magical” place where politics and entitlement doesn’t exist. Reality check ….. it exists everywhere. Sad! ☹️
That being said, I hope Hyatt is soon able to resolve this issue. I would love to visit the refurbished resort when complete.
Thank you for the update. My family was just on Kaua’i 2 weeks ago, and was told the expected date to open was 2020 now, by a local tour guide. It’ll be great and all to have the property cleaned up, because it’s been such an eye sore for the last 25 years, but my question is, are they going to address the traffic problem that is the Kapa’a to Lihu’e stretch of highway 56? Adding another large resort right in the middle of the busiest stretch of road on the island, when it’s often already completely jammed with cars, sure doesn’t seem like a great idea.
Hi Brad.
Xlnt point. The state plans to widen Kuhio Highway from Kuamoo Road to the Kapaa Bypass Road. Funding hasn’t occurred yet for that as far as we know, so it may come after the resort is completed. Ugg.
Aloha.
@cocopalmskauai is their Instagram. They were updating this story quite a bit for a while but it’s been silent for awhile now. There is a great old werewolf movie called Death Moon filmed entirely on the grounds in 1978. It’s historically interesting as I imagine that to be the pinnacle era of the original resort. It pleased me to see the renovation in progress and I hope they retain some of the old aloha instead of going for a more modern look. I love what Aqua did for the old Kauai Sands hotel. Thanks for the story.
Hi, You should check with Ron Agor, the architect working on the project for the past 6 years. He would be able to tell you more specific info rather than “suspecting” what is happening.
Hello, I’m looking into taking a trip in October this year but not sure where in Hawaii I want to stay. Can someone help me, plz.
Hi Letty.
How about this: https://beatofhawaii.com/which-is-the-best-hawaii-island-to-visit/.
Aloha.
Thank you for all the useful information posted on your site. I always look forward to your emails.
Mahalo Nellie!
I’m glad that Hyatt is maintaining the outer structure of the hotel. Nobody can bring back the past, but I have fond memories of that wonderful entryway, and the lovely bungalows. I hope that they are cognizant of the value of nostalgia to the baby-boomers who are now retired and reasonable well-off enough to enjoy a stay at a resort.
I hope the ownership claim is quickly resolved. I support the Hawaiians, but this does seem to be an opportunistic act. The family has not spoken for over sixty years, and now suddenly they “discover” that they had been granted the land?
Please, don’t stand in the way of restoring this icon of Kauai.