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.
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.
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.
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.