488 thoughts on “Infamous Coco Palms Kauai | Why It Just Won’t End”
Jeanne M
As long as there are Elvis fans, they would come. As for the property itself, it was enchanting…my 5 year old son at the time said…i want to stay here! We came back two years later and it was a spectacular visit…torches, Elvis, palm trees, lagoon! Such was the fabulous memories that can be resurrected by watching not only our film, but Blue Hawaii. What a loss to everyone, locals and visitors.
I will relate my experience at the Coco Palms. Married in 1990 then Honeymooned at the Coco Palms. Wonderful charm about the place and the staff was so friendly. I am also an Elvis fan. Maybe that’s why we ended up there.
We would walk amongst the coconut groves and seldom saw another couple, as if it was our own world. We sat by the lagoon, watching the fish swim as the breeze blew through the palms composing a soothing rustling symphony that silenced the rest of the world. Magical.
One day we decided to check out the then Kauai Hilton down the road with it’s fancy hotel and beachfront access. We lay out on the sand and were engulfed in the sounds of shouts from a volleyball game, boom boxes playing, loud conversations, and service carts rattling along the concrete pathway. After about 15 minutes of this din my wife looked at me and we both said, “Let’s go back to the Coco Palms.”
We had a memorable time at the Coco Palms. Even snuck onto the raft decorated with flowers for a wedding we presumed. We took our photos on the raft and at the chapel before we were shooed off. What fun.
When we heard the Coco Palms was being rebuilt I told my wife we are going to spend our 30th anniversary there. Sadly, that is not reality.
But we hope some day they would restore some part of the Coco Palms. Fancier rooms could be created, but preserving that old charm would be special. Yes, the Clamshell Sinks were something. I laughed because it seemed a bit touristy, but we filled it with ice and chilled our champagne in it. Memories we hold forever.
We hope the best for its future. Hotel, cultural center, restaurant/bar, wedding venue (definitely), retreat center. I only reflect on what a special place the Coco Palms was. I’m not a business person so cannot offer safe advice here. But there are those out there that can offer real solutions. Everyone, make it work.
I have watched the public hearings for 20 years on the tv, Unfortunately, this subject has been exhausted. The locals do not want the hotel. The county does not want the hotel. No private money can find a way through the red tape jungle. The situation has become hazardous and bad for the kids. Time to clean it up governor.
we stayed at the Coco Palms about 30 years ago….shortly before the hurricane went through & destroyed it…..it was so lovely….the zoo & walking through the palms…reading the plates by the trees…..i loved the clam shell sinks….& the lovely lady that worked in the little liquor/gift shop….she would tell us tales of living on Kauai…..i’ve even bought the book “The Story of the Coco Palms Hotel”…..i go through it often…bringing back memories….the lighting of the garden every night was something people would come from all over to see….i watch Blue Hawaii & it helps bring back some of my memories…
Just a bit of info ..My Aunty When she was in the 7th grade , enter a contest to name this Hotel ..she submitted the name Coco Palms…as told to me… Aloha
I think it should be donated to the County and rebuilt as a cultural museum for Hawaiian traditions, the real history of Kauai and of course the Elvis associations. Does not need to be a luxury hotel built on the highway in that area. A cultural museum with auditorium for lectures, movies and may locations for weddings with the lagoon returned. I am sure there are some wealthy folks on Kauai that could donate to such a cause and if well managed it could fund itself in time. Time for lateral thinking and another Luxury Hotel in a not so good roadside location is not a goer. But we must not lose the history.
We drive by this site every year during our visit to Kauai. Until a final result can be decided for the property, please remove all remains of the structure so the landscape can returned to its natural condition. This is beautiful piece of land and should continue as an eye sore.
As long as there are Elvis fans, they would come. As for the property itself, it was enchanting…my 5 year old son at the time said…i want to stay here! We came back two years later and it was a spectacular visit…torches, Elvis, palm trees, lagoon! Such was the fabulous memories that can be resurrected by watching not only our film, but Blue Hawaii. What a loss to everyone, locals and visitors.
Aloha,
I will relate my experience at the Coco Palms. Married in 1990 then Honeymooned at the Coco Palms. Wonderful charm about the place and the staff was so friendly. I am also an Elvis fan. Maybe that’s why we ended up there.
We would walk amongst the coconut groves and seldom saw another couple, as if it was our own world. We sat by the lagoon, watching the fish swim as the breeze blew through the palms composing a soothing rustling symphony that silenced the rest of the world. Magical.
One day we decided to check out the then Kauai Hilton down the road with it’s fancy hotel and beachfront access. We lay out on the sand and were engulfed in the sounds of shouts from a volleyball game, boom boxes playing, loud conversations, and service carts rattling along the concrete pathway. After about 15 minutes of this din my wife looked at me and we both said, “Let’s go back to the Coco Palms.”
We had a memorable time at the Coco Palms. Even snuck onto the raft decorated with flowers for a wedding we presumed. We took our photos on the raft and at the chapel before we were shooed off. What fun.
When we heard the Coco Palms was being rebuilt I told my wife we are going to spend our 30th anniversary there. Sadly, that is not reality.
But we hope some day they would restore some part of the Coco Palms. Fancier rooms could be created, but preserving that old charm would be special. Yes, the Clamshell Sinks were something. I laughed because it seemed a bit touristy, but we filled it with ice and chilled our champagne in it. Memories we hold forever.
We hope the best for its future. Hotel, cultural center, restaurant/bar, wedding venue (definitely), retreat center. I only reflect on what a special place the Coco Palms was. I’m not a business person so cannot offer safe advice here. But there are those out there that can offer real solutions. Everyone, make it work.
Mahalo
Hi Kevin.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Have you seen this web site ??
https://cocopalmshawaii.com/
I have watched the public hearings for 20 years on the tv, Unfortunately, this subject has been exhausted. The locals do not want the hotel. The county does not want the hotel. No private money can find a way through the red tape jungle. The situation has become hazardous and bad for the kids. Time to clean it up governor.
we stayed at the Coco Palms about 30 years ago….shortly before the hurricane went through & destroyed it…..it was so lovely….the zoo & walking through the palms…reading the plates by the trees…..i loved the clam shell sinks….& the lovely lady that worked in the little liquor/gift shop….she would tell us tales of living on Kauai…..i’ve even bought the book “The Story of the Coco Palms Hotel”…..i go through it often…bringing back memories….the lighting of the garden every night was something people would come from all over to see….i watch Blue Hawaii & it helps bring back some of my memories…
Just a bit of info ..My Aunty When she was in the 7th grade , enter a contest to name this Hotel ..she submitted the name Coco Palms…as told to me… Aloha
Hi Jeffery.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I think it should be donated to the County and rebuilt as a cultural museum for Hawaiian traditions, the real history of Kauai and of course the Elvis associations. Does not need to be a luxury hotel built on the highway in that area. A cultural museum with auditorium for lectures, movies and may locations for weddings with the lagoon returned. I am sure there are some wealthy folks on Kauai that could donate to such a cause and if well managed it could fund itself in time. Time for lateral thinking and another Luxury Hotel in a not so good roadside location is not a goer. But we must not lose the history.
I like that idea.
He would have the same hurdles to clear as anyone else who tried.
Thank you for your service.
Hi Richard.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We drive by this site every year during our visit to Kauai. Until a final result can be decided for the property, please remove all remains of the structure so the landscape can returned to its natural condition. This is beautiful piece of land and should continue as an eye sore.