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.
Coco Palms was the icon of Kauai unfortunately all icons must perish but the memories will live on. God bless Kauai.
Aloha everyone😊, and Aloha to Coco Palms😥it’s indeed a sad area of topic to discuss isn’t it?
The Mana that still remains in the soil and roots of life on this beautiful sacred property, (and by sacred I mean the heart of it – even before a shovel ever plunged into it by undeserving civilized hands,Gods green earth as it were)this Mana is strong with it still, as it broke the Ocean surface strong, that is why all the turmoil is happening and will continue to do so, she wants a rest now, a well deserved rest
Having stayed at the Coco Palms during it’s hey day, what had happened to this amazing property just makes me very sad. However, if it no longer is viable to be restored, they should come to an agreement to complete demolition and restore the acreage to it’s natural state until a successful plan is formulated for the future.
I smell a great idea for a documentary… the rise and fall of Coco Palms and the state of Hawaii….
CoCo Palms will live on forever as a metaphor for Hawaiian / Kauaiian planning and governance–and not in a good way.
It is a prime example of how hopelessly conflicted, confused, divided, and short sighted Hawaii is today–and will likely be in the future.
The COVID-19 situation in Hawaii is also a direct reflection of these confliction, confusion, division, and complete and utter government disfunction. Hawaiian officials love to talk about things… but they just aren’t very good at DOING them. (One simply has to look at the Honolulu Rail Project–that has single handledly bankrupted the state–and cost each and every Hawaiian–not just the ones on Oahu–approximately $7000/each to verify this complete government incompetence.)
Sure, it would be great if 100% of the Hawaiian islands could be pristine, natural, undeveloped land. What a paradise that would be, right? Unfortunately, Hawaii has not developed any other major sources of income or tax revenue–other than TOURISM. And tourists aren’t all going to sleep in tents in the wilderness or on towels on the beach. Tourism funds Hawaii’s generous welfare system–so, no tourism–no EBT cards for everyone!–no free healthcare for the unemployed and indigent / homeless!–no decent schools–no nothing. And to support tourism, one needs hotels, resorts–Vacation Rentals, etc. And the revenue and jobs generated by each and ever resort in Hawaii is massive. The revenue from the TAT (hotel) tax alone was $630,000,000 in 2019 alone–and that’s just the tip of the “tourist tax” iceberg. A $1000 rental car bill in Hawaii is around 50% misc junk taxes added on… and just think how many cars are rented in Hawaii by tourists every year.
So, yeah, the elimination of even one resort like Coco Palms from any of the islands results in a massive long term cost to the state and the locals–who both rely completely on the revenues these resorts generate–both for their jobs–and for their free government handouts.
Wow. Many questionable items here. Let’s just look at a couple of them.
The state of HI is not bankrupt, and if it were the cause would be the economic effects of C19, not the rail project.
The failures of the rail project are in large part due to obstruction by various private-sector groups, each determined to have things their way. Can’t blame the government for that.
The economy of HI is foundering due to over-reliance on tourism. As is well known, a tourism-based economy is a dead-end street, filled with poverty-wage jobs and highly unstable. The idea that more tourist-reliant business is a solution is reminiscent of the medieval practice of curing all manner of disease by draining the patient’s blood. If the patient passes out from lack of blood, just drain off some more.
#1 – Wrong. The state of Hawaii was $9,000,000,000 (that’s BILLION) in debt even BEFORE the virus. And at least 1/2 of that debt can be attributed to the rail project. Not sure what YOU think “bankrupt” means–but personally, I consider $9,000,000,000 in debts–with no way to pay that money back–and a budget deficit adding to the debt ever year–“bankrupt”.
#2 – Wrong. The government started the rail project. The government (mis)managed the rail project. The government is responsible for the failure and cost over-runs of the rail project. How could you possibly believe that the some other / third party should somehow be blamed for the failure of the largest single construction project in the history of the state? That’s just silly.
#3 – Wrong (again). Hawaii generates BILLIONS annually from tourist dollars. Just because they choose to waste it on social programs and huge public sector employment instead of re-investing it to develop a more diverse economy cannot be blamed on the tourism (or the tourists). Unfortunately the state and county governments have chosen to create hurdles, road blocks and outright dead end streets to many other types of economic development–that might in some way harm or diminish tourism or the islands’ environment or ecology. So, that state–collectively has “chosen” tourism. That’s just a fact. And, sure, many of those jobs are low-wage and low-education and low-skill–but that’s where the hand outs from the state come in. “Tax the tourist and re-distribute that money to the poor locals” has been the states core philosophy since the sugar industry collapsed. And until they can come up with a better strategy–every resort counts.
Amen! Well stated
Well, as much as i hate the idea, it looks like it is time for the wrecking ball
Aloha David, yes I tend to agree with you, all efforts to build it up fail miserably, the Mana of the land is not permitting that re-build to happen, she wants to take care of that herself…they should step away and let her do that, as respect and love,
Sure. Blame it on the supernatural instead of the humans. That makes sense. So… I guess the Mana of the land changed its mind from the original permission it granted to allow this resort to be built originally? And the Mana of the land doesn’t have a problem with the dozens of other resorts on the island… just this one. 🙂
It’s this kind of kooky animism that results in these types of outcomes. Trust me, the Mana of the land doesn’t care what we do. The planet has been here 4.5 billion years… and will be here billions and billions of years after humans are long gone. (We’ve been around, what a couple of hundred thousand years at most–only a few thousand of those as complex / advanced societies.) We could pollute all the air and water, cut down every forest, and kill every living thing on the planet–and it wouldn’t make a difference. A million or two years later–an eye blink in the history of the planet–there wouldn’t even be trace left of our existence here–and the planet would be as pristine and beautiful as it was before humans ever existed.
Why can’t it be rebuilt? It’s sad that the original structure can’t be saved but you could still build it as it once was. My husband and I toured there. Unless you built something like the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu, will it bring in enough revenue? Is this what they’re envisioning? I know people would like just a park but that doesn’t bring in money. Hopefully something wonderful will come out of it in the end. Mahalo for the update!
Hi Melissa.
Thanks. It is beyond repair and that is just of the problems. The rest is laid out in the post. Not sure that a big money-making type of park is what is envisioned, but time will tell. It will be slow as everything is here. And yes, hopefully, it will be wonderful for every reason.
Aloha.
Aloha Melissa, the Mana (Spirit) is still strong in this land, and is not permitting any type of process to do this..to just let her do it on her own and forever leave the land in her state of life, would mean true respect for her, and her Ohana – nature’s life, she doesn’t want what (we) want, the land is strong and spirits also, they protect it and they protect her also, so that true life will continue, the life that first started well below the surface of the water till it broke free and took a Breath (Ha) and if she can feel that once more..she will at all costs
Coco Palms is a perfect metaphor for the State of Hawaii.
It encapsulates dysfunctional State and County governments in clear stark terms.
Thank you Beat of Hawaii for your updates for many years. My travel dates are annually during the ANZAC celebration, third week of April.
I cancelled this year’s travel but scheduled my return April 2021. I booked my flight June 3 cost of $667.00 and later reduced to $658.00. I check every morning for a better rate and much to my surprise the rate for my same travels increased in 24 hours to $922.00. Help me analyze this. If the airlines are struggling are they trying to make huge profits on the few tickets they are selling? I know for a fact when I secured/upgraded seats last week not many seats were spoken for at that time. I have always booked flights in June for April and normally pay $700-750.00. $667.00 was a great deal from Memphis Tennessee to Oahu flying American with the shorten hours in airports and in the sky.
Hi Pamela.
Thank you. Airline pricing often makes no sense and doesn’t relate to supply/demand. And that after we’ve followed prices to and from Hawaii for decades.
There was one time not that many years ago when we were able to fly to Alberta Canada for $229 RT and that was on United via the Lihue to Denver nonstop. Crazy huh.
Aloha.
The Coco Palms resort has been in a state of limbo for, what, about 30 years now. The property is an ugly mess. The property bears little resemblance to what it once was. As I understand it there are so many contingencies on the property that it is impossible to do anything with it. Surely wish that the owners of the property would write off the property as a loss and donate it to the county of Kauai. In that way, perhaps, something good could come out of this unfortunate situation. Thanks for the update guys.
Hi Roy.
Thanks. Yes hoping for something to come out of that painful eyesore.
Aloha.
The Coco Palms was a magical place, especially to a very young girl whose halau performed there in the early 1960s. I can still picture the torch-lighting ceremony and sounds of the conch shell announcing the runner’s approach. It was so beautiful. Hurts my heart to think of how it was affected by Hurricane Iniki and then allowed to further disintegrate.
A Hawaiian cultural center would be amazing there, where anyone could learn about the history, language, and dance of Hawaii. Also where some of the land could be designated for the cultivation of taro, both dry and wet; or some type of collaboration with the botanical gardens.
Sure. That’s just what Hawaii needs… another “cultural center”. 🙂
Which, to non-Hawaiians just means “visitor center” or “tourist attraction”.
But, yeah, sure, the locals would certainly love another beach park of some kind here… because that would just be another multi-million dollar project that they wouldn’t have to pay for… since virtually everything on the islands is paid for by the tourists and the tax and sales revenue they bring.
And that’s the big question: If they county and the state will NOT allow this private property to be repaired, restored, or re-developed… who then PAYS to buy the land from the private owners… and who then PAYS to remove the existing / rotting improvements–and then pays to design and build whatever PUBLIC improvements replaces them?
Because the state has no money–only debts. Massive debts. So this would either have to be a private / for profit project… or it will rot as a derelict ruin for decades–which no one will be able to use or enjoy… or the county / state will have to borrow MORE millions to complete the project.
Which one do you think is more likely to happen?
Thank you for the updates. So many memories will live on at least for awhile.
Hi Lena.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Thank you for the update. It makes me sad, but I understand. My parents stayed there in 1978. My hubby & I stopped there in 1998 while on the Movie Tour, and dreamed of returning to stay at the Coco Palms when the restoration was complete. Sadly, that will never happen, but I can still look through my parents’ amazing photos taken during their stay at this icon,is resort, Aloha! ❤
Hi Donna.
Thanks for sharing that.
Aloha.
I think it could be a beautiful Kauai Cultural Center!
I agree! Great idea.
So sad. Had my honeymoon there in the early 70’s. Ate in the three eating areas. Watched a local teach how to shuck a coconut. Listened to Larry Rivera sing at night in the lounge, where “the drinks are on you!!” (still have the record Larry was selling then) Viewed where Elvis filmed the wedding scene for “Blue Hawaii”. So sad, but memories are wonderful.
Couldn’t developers find another piece of land and build a new Coco Palms Hotel on that?
Please remember, It was Elvis Presley who made the Hawaiian Islands what they are today,Vacationing and having fun,Please remember that , thanks for listening,Tim….
Hi Tim.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We stayed right across the street from this iconic run down dilapidated mess years ago and it was sad to see it then. It must be so much worse. I was hoping it could become somewhat what it was years ago even if it doesn’t have beach access. Until Hawaii addresses the homeless and drug issues that are out of control, why build another park? It’s shocking to see it still standing and that they care so little about the diseases, pests, asbestos, homeless & drugs and they still haven’t torn it down? This was in the end a very sad read.
I am a frequent visitor to Kauai. Perhaps the descendents who you say are recognized as the owners, have some responsibiliy for developing the area for the homeless, or at least as affordable housing. Thank you for clarifying the current situation.
Michele
Hi Michele.
Thanks.
Aloha.
This is so sad. My husband and I spent 2 wonderful weeks at coco palms in the late 70s. It remains my most favorite trip to Hawaii!
It is very saddening to witness the make (death) of Coco Palms. I stayed in an oceanfront room the year before Elvis and troop arrived to film Blue Hawaii. I enjoyed walking around the royal palms every sunset before the lighting of the waterside torches and the blowing of the conch. I’ll miss walking through the massive carved doors.
I would come if rebuilt!
Anyone I speak to would also.
The hotel as it was was a draw for Elvis and countless visitors in the past, so why not in the future?
My 5 year old in 1984 turned to me and said as we dropped a guest off, i want to stay here! We did a few years later. Nothing can rob the magic from this place if restored. Get the pedestrian bridge and the property would be even better.
Council meeting 8/11/2020
I have restored many older homes in my 40+ years and given the rich history of this hotel I hate to see it falling apart and I believe it should be restored with as many of the original features as soon as possible before they are lost and if that is done I believe millions of guest would rather stay there than any other fancy hotel just because of its history and as far as bringing it up to current zoning and codes ,you would not restore an antique car and put air bags in it, no you would restore it to original! although you could add some safety features that would not interfere with the original looks of the hotel. I hope something gets done soon to preserve this treasure !!! Thanks Dave
Hi Dave.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Rethink….better to get developers’ money via this property and use it for homeless low cost housing in another site. Memories, traditions, beautiful palms, location near Smiths, all suggest a more appropriate use of this land, even if a park, rather than low cost housing. And money works in any location if you want to be altruistic and divert monies to those in need. Must just stick to the goal and manage finances without loss of said purpose.
Beautiful property in the past; beautiful potention for the future. I appreciate the movie connection and the personal experiences and memories this place holds for many. However, I agree with a previous poster that with so much homelessness on the island(s), maybe it would be best for the state, county, and/or local governments to convert it into a multi-use affordable housing project. Apartments, community center, cultural center, recreational center, pools, park, so many possibilities for the locals. Maybe the multiple failed attempts and obscene amounts of developer money thrown at reviving this location as a tourist destination are signs that it really does belong to the native population.
I’ve been blessed to visit Kauai and the islands a few times and honestly,it breaks my heart to see the amount of homeless every time I go. There are enough tourist resorts and I think it’s time to use this land for affordable housing for the people that live and work on the islands.
we visited the site in 2016. lots of positive energy there. a beautiful place, and really neat to see where elvis was and think about the score of folks that flocked there afterwards. but it is all about the market. the highway outfront is terrible. the location sucks. folks that would have come because of the elvis connection have grown old and dont travel. i wouldnt invest in redevelopment. conserve the shell of the original building, restore the canal and palm gardens, make it a park.
It seems so sad to let one of Hawaii’s most famous resorts go to ruin
Went there as a child, perhaps 12. Definitely had that ‘old Hawaii’ vibe. But even at the time, I was surprised and disappointed there was no beach access. That seems to me a critical flaw. Too bad. I think it’s over for the resort, but thanks for the memories.
Hi Tom.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Ever since I saw Elvis in “Blue Hawaii” as a child, I dreamed of visiting this tropical island some day. Well, that day would finally came many years later (in November of 2008) when I visited Oahu and Kauai. My friend and I enjoyed the movie tour, and of course, our guide took us to Coco Palms. Some tourists broke down in tears, recalling their honeymoon there or visiting years ago. Scenes from “Blue Hawaii” flashed into my mind as I walked the destroyed grounds of Coco Palms and stared at the lagoon, where the famous wedding scene took place at the end of film. I was so hopeful that this special place would be restored to its original splendor and was thrilled to see beautiful plans in photos. I was even envisioning spending time at the new Coco Palms resort for my milestone birthday in 2020. But every time I checked on the progress of renovations, I was saddened to read about one setback after another. But miracles happen, especially on this enchanting island. Since numerous blockbuster movies have been filmed on Kauai over the decades, perhaps affluent Hollywood actors, producers, directors could help with funding for a new Coco Palms. It’s worth a try!
Aloha! Your comment is like I wrote it myself. It was the movie “Blue Hawaii” that make me dream of going to Hawaii and my dream included a stay at Coco Palms. But before we could get there, it was destroyed by the hurricane. I still read any news I can find on the restoration of it, and continue to be discouraged when I read that they want to destroy it and build something else. We went to Kauai for our 50th wedding anniversary in 2018 and saw the ruins. It broke my heart to see it in that shape. I would love to see it restored/rebuilt. The wedding scene in “Blue Hawaii” was so beautiful and I will always remember it as in the movie. Mahalo!
Since so many blockbuster movies have been filed on Kauai over several decades, why not seek funds from wealthy Hollywood celebrities, producers, directors, etc.?
many years ago while on Kauai, i purchased a book…”the story of the coco palms hotel”…..very large “coffee table” book…..it was so great….i remember it cost about $30……..i take it out every so often to remind me of the Palms in it’s “glory” days…..there is also another smaller book, “The Kauai Movie Book” which talks about all the movies that were made on Kauai….another one full of memories….
I got married there in September 1988. Our guests and wedding party planned their whole vacation around our wedding. We copied the Elvis Blue Hawaii wedding. It was a fabulous and memorable week. I wish I could post a couple of pictures here. What a beautiful place… Old Hawaii… And we did utilize the beach across the street. I’m sure it’s become much more crowded around that highway since then. Thank you for the article bringing us all up-to-date
Hi Mary.
Thanks. You can send image attachments here and perhaps we can include them in our next update. https://beatofhawaii.com/image-upload/.
Aloha.
So sad! Was hoping to return for our 30th wedding anniversary. We spent our honeymoon there in August of 1991. It was a beautiful, nostalgic place. We enjoyed our stay there and our nightly walks along the grounds. Beautiful gardens and scenery. Sad that it was destroyed.
I was lucky enough to grow up in Hawaii and was able to visit the Coco Palms resort on a few occasions. My fondest memories are of the torch lighting ceremonies that would happen every night at sundown. The precision that the “warriors” had was remarkable. I also remember standing on one of the bridges on the property, fishing in the canals. (The resort provided the cane poles, just had to throw the fish back.) Just the prestige of staying at THAT resort, gave you bragging rights on the playground. Lol. I haven’t been back to Kauai since well before the destruction from the hurricane, but the memories that stay in my mind will live with me forever. I miss the days of the “old” Hawaii, when things were simple, and tapa cloth was used to decorate EVERY thing. The customs, traditions, and legends that are being lost on our youth of today need to be taught to our kids, grandkids, and all keike’s around. Don’t let the traditions be lost. I may not get the accents and commas in the right place,….but:
Ua, mau, ke, ea, O, ka ‘aina, I ka Pono. I miss my home.
It’s time to say goodbye Elvis has left the building .itstime for a new idea .a park Senior center , hospital .n in need of affordable housing. Don’t let west coast influence take over the mater we don’t need another Safeway or a jackin thebox. Use the land properly. At worst make it a park for all.
I loved the place and went there many times as a youth with my parents. I don’t remember ever going to the beach across the street and forgot there even was anything there. I mostly swam in the pools there that had waterfalls. Was all really nice and fun to walk around the grounds. We went to big hotel near the airport that had dukes restaurant in it. Was that a Marriott? They had a similar flavor to cocoa palms in many ways. It may be past the point where remaking that hotel would add any value. We think we may stay at the hotel
Mentors above or at a place at Poipu. Which if a beautiful beach.
Watched Blue Hawaii over the weekend. So sad if this history is lost. Being stuck overseas it feels even worse. I really feel one of our politicians needs to take up the responsibility of making it a cultural center. This site is not suitable for Hotel or Housing given traffic on road without considerable expense building a new road system. The restaurant could be reopened too by building a pedestrian underpass under Kuhio Hwy. Once it is gone it can never be replaced. We do not need more Malahiinifcation on Kauai.
In 1984, I stayed at Coco Palms for my honeymoon. We had dinner in the open air lagoon restaurant. There was a show of natives going down the lagoon in canoes. It was a wonderful private place beautiful stay. In 2012 I returned and was heartbroken at what I saw. Thank you for providing the info you do on this incredible piece of history.
Hi Martina.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Having grown up on those 50’s and 60’s movie depictions of Hawaii and having never been there are there any other developments such as this one? Thank you.
Hi Steven.
A few that come to mind are Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, and Mauna Kea.
Aloha.
Having been a guest at the Coco Palms, on the morning of the day that hurricane EWA hit
(fortunately, we were scheduled to go to HNL that afternoon, rode out the storm in Waikiki) and having visited the C-P several times, we are very sad that it will not be restored to some semblance of its former glory. Fortunately, before it died, we found out (from the Purchasing Agent) their source of the giant clam shell sinks … and we managed to buy one, complete with a drain hole already drilled! It is a feature of many comments, in our rec. room’s powder room. And we have our great pix, too, to remind us of better times on Kauai. I hope Ono’s Burgers (GREAT burgers) are still in business.