Here’s the very latest on the Kauai Coco Palms Resort, where so little has changed since we first toured the grounds and started writing about it. This was Kauai’s most iconic resort ever, where the rich and famous once stayed and Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii was filmed. The property consists of 20 acres fronting the highway combined with 15 acres of state-leased land. The current developer still has dozens of useless plans pending. Many of those are set to expire next year.
Kauai Coco Palms Resort never ceases to amaze us with its popularity. Nor does the fact that it remains as an eyesore and safety hazard on the island after being largely destroyed nearly 3 decades ago.
We receive and you can read a plethora of fascinating comments about your fond memories of Coco Palms and ongoing dreams for its future.
The sad truth, however, is that Coco Palms will never be redeveloped. Read on for why with the latest details.
Essential concrete structures have failed.
The original building core was to be an integral part of the final development. That, however, is no longer possible. What has happened is that the steel rebar within the buildings’ concrete has corroded and failed due to exposure to ocean salt and moisture. The corroding steel has cracked the concrete and spall due to the swelling and the increase of the tensile load on the steel. While it was previously believed that only impacted upper floors, we can state unequivocally from our own observations that it has now terminally affected the entire infrastructure.
Only horses and cows, and drug dealing remain.
We have seen livestock on the property which were brought there to help to control invasive grasses. Drugs and other illegal activity remains rampant, even after the obscuring fencing was removed.
Kauai County Planning Commission failure.
Last week we listened as the Kauai County Planning Commission heard a report on the development that they largely did not understand. Subsequently, they took no action whatsoever. That in spite of the fact that all testimony received was in favor of moving on from the idea of rebuilding the hotel. Favored instead, seemingly by all stakeholders at this point, is a cultural park in some form.
Why Coco Palms can never be a hotel again.
BOH editors’ friend and Kauai Council Member Felicia Cowden wrote asking that Coco Palms be “set aside for a future community wilderness or cultural park. Those prime, historically significant lands should not be attached to the problematic private pieces to help move a distressed asset.”
Kauai’s prior mayor JoAnn Yukimura said development permits “should have never been issued.” She bemoaned that Kauai has doo many hotels as it already stands. “Removing the cloud of resort development from the properties will enable the community to come together around a new vision for that site — a vision that could include a park and culture center that interprets the history of the place.”
As others have said, Elvis has left the building.
BOH editors’ friend Allan Parachini jokingly wrote on his Facebook page about Coco Palms Resort: “I am so happy to hear today that Kauai County has officially designated a Quarantine Hotel for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic…As you can see, all of the accommodations have plenty of fresh air.”
Coco Palms Kauai Resort – what’s next now?
The latest project disintegrated with multiple developers unable to make it work. All to the chagrin of visitors, locals, and the Kauai County government.
When driving by, you see a great deal of ugly, original concrete and steel, as in the image below. The developers had planned to use these pre-existing steel and concrete structures as the base of the new resort. That before those plans was largely terminated by nature. The iconic lagoon was also set to be restored as is shown in image depiction above.
Beat of Hawaii: Coco Palms sits largely unchanged, destroyed through hurricane, fraud, neglect and to this day, ongoing controversy, for over a quarter-century.
A multi-million dollar selective-demolition project was completed in 2016 as seen in the photo above. This included drywall and asbestos removal, electrical and mechanical repairs, renovations at the Lotus Restaurant, and bungalow building. It pretty much was stripped clean.
There is no place for Coco Palms Resort.
In addition to all of the other issues, Coco Palms would no longer be viable as a hotel. The property is located on what has become a very noisy stretch of Kuhio Highway, and it has no beach access. Many hotels have been built in recent years that, while not Coco Palms, offer beachfront locations at prices that could well undermine any potential for profitability.
More Updates:
1. There are dozens of remaining open permits with the County of Kauai, although there is no reference to developer Stillwater on any permits, nor any reference to Coco Palms on Stillwater’s website. There are no longer any websites associated with the Coco Palms Resort.
2. Colliers just removed its listing to sell the property. That previously said, “Since 2016, the new owners have obtained the entitlements and permits necessary for the redevelopment of the 350-room hotel along with restaurants, lounges, swimming pools, wedding venues and a spa. The concrete foundations and frames of the main hotel buildings remain allowing for expedited and less costly redevelopment.”
3. Planned connection to Koa Kea Resort dropped. The latest developer had previously been rumored to be in discussions with the Meritage Collection, about also running the Coco Palms.
5. Reopening as a Hyatt property aborted. In 2014, the plan was for Coco Palms to reopen in 2020 with 273 rooms, 77 suites, 3 restaurants, a cultural center, 12k square feet of retail, and more. It was to be part of the Hyatt Unbound Collection.
6. In 2017, a dispute arose when a group of Native Hawaiians claiming to be descendants of Kauai’s King Kaumualii began living on the property. A judge refused to remove them from Coco Palms while determining the rightful owners. Developers said, “The county recognizes us as the owner of the property.” That was affirmed by the court in 2018.
We welcome your thoughts.
Image courtesy of prior website cocopalmskauai.com.
Updated 8/20/20.
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Abe S says
I was with Elvis in this movie
J. R. says
My husband and I stayed at the Coco Palms hotel in January 1977. It was a beautiful hotel. We were able to cross the street and go to the beach. I also loved the lagoon and the ceremony of lighting the torches at dusk. So sorry to see the once beautiful hotel now in ruins.
J. R. says
I also loved Kauai and knowing that Elvis filmed the wedding scene on the lagoon made it even more special for me. I have a picture my husband took looking up into the majestic palm trees. He has past now 30 years ago, I know he would be crushed seeing how it looks now. We had a great vacation and time at this hotel.
Dinah L says
It is such a sad thing to see such a beautiful place as the Coco Palms resort pass away into memory. My family stayed there in 1972, I was about to turn 10 years old. I remember it so well and with such happy memories. Now, my family has passed away too, I’m all that’s left. But I’ll never forget that lovely happy summer we had there. I do hope that a way can be found to save this wonderful place. There are still so many who would still love to stay at such a historical hotel. Please keep trying. Thanks for the great memories. My love to Kauai
Skip S. says
Maybe the Government of Kauai should require the “decendents of Kaumualii” to clean up the mess they now “own.” With ownership comes a certain bit of responsibility.
Whether a cultural center or a hotel is chosen, it would be good for Kauai to do SOMETHING other than passing the buck for another 30 years.
Kauai is the most beautiful of the islands. It is truly a shame to see this historic site languish in neglect and disregard. It’s worse to think that is now a popular drug user location. That can’t be the wishes of Kaumualii’s decendents either.
Ellis c says
I was married at coco palms in 1985 it was so awesome and I hoped to go back one day. Hawaii was made by the heavens, such a beautiful place. I will always love!
Peter A. says
If the native Hawaiians claim they own the property. why are they not responsible for the upkeep of the property?
RH says
What is wrong with the politicians running Hawaii, and Kauai in particular?
I guess when you work for the government with full salary working – and I use the term loosely, from home
while so many on the island without government unemployment have to leave because of closures, layoffs.
Kids missing 2 years of valuable in person education and learning how to become responsible members of
the community – the cost will be huge. Kids almost always don’t get even mild symptoms, don’t spread it as
much, but are penalized because a lack of backbone in the governor’s office.
Kauai now has one death. 80% of deaths are over 65, most of these over 80 and in nursing homes.
The flu has killed more people in Hawaii.
Please have the courage to vote these idiots out of office next time.
I suggest Hawaii consult Dr Scott Gottleib to advise them; a former FDA chief and Democrat.
Nani C says
As a person that is over 65 and have a lot of life left in me I resent the cavalier attitude that we should be left to die.
Death panels are hardly the way to treat senior citizens. Mahalo!
Mike L says
I’m surprised no one has thought about building affordable housing there.
JoAnne R says
They just said it’s on a flood plane.
Pat b says
Thank you so much for the really sad information. I just cannot imagine that the Presley orga nization has no interest in this property. Even after all these years that site is so identified with Elvis. Has anyone ever contacted Graceland to see if there is interest in it? It would be an amazing place to have Elvis conventions and Elvis Artists performing…and the fans would absolutely love it. Has anyone ever tried making it into a Elvis location site? It would only take a single simple letter to Priscilla Presley to find out if there was a possibility to doing it. What do the owners have to lose by trying??
Kathleen B says
I was married in the chapel in 1989. Great memories of staying at the property in 1984 and being a guest of Mrs Guslander at her hosted dinner three times that week. I was traveling alone and she wanted to make sure I didn’t dine alone. Thank u for keeping us updated.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kathleen.
Thanks for sharing your memories of Coco Palms.
Aloha.
Cheryl C. says
What would be required to brig it back to it’s glorious former status especially connected to the the Elvis legacy? |I have a few investors that may be interested.
Bob says
I can only say what I heard. We visit the islands yearly. The original coco palms is built on land deemed too low to avoid flooding. It has set vacant open to the elements for decades. Someone once starting rehabbing the property but for some reason stopped leaving the structures more open to the elements. It is not oceanfront property, but across the Hwy It should be demolished and turned into a nice county park. I’m sure if you contacted the County of Kauai they would have current information
Jared X says
95% of the island is already essentially a state or county park. That’s the last thing Kauai needs more of.
RIchJ says
The sad fact is that once it were to get pulled down, money would talk and another unsightly development of time shares and condos for Californians would spring up in the ever creeping cancer of property speculation. It is very important that this piece of history is not lost. If Hawaii is not protected in 30 years it will be gone and just another Californian wasteland.
Joel says
As long as developers can smell a buck, they’ll keep the fiction alive that the property is desirable. Reality is that location is terrible – noisy, busy, lousy beaches. Has nothing going for it. The County should buy the property and widen the road.
Kauaidoug says
Exactly. I drive by the Coco Palms everyday and lived here 13 years and visiting since Iniki. The only thing that has changed is the increase in traffic resulting in the infamous Kapaa Crawl as one admires the bombed out looking once glorious hotel. It will make a great cultural center with a widened road improved to meet the traffic demands of the the 21st century.
RoxaneK says
What does Graceland haveto do with Kauai? He’s a manifesto of NASHVILLE/Hollywood. Is that worth decimating a historical-ancestoral island birthright place of the River to the Ocean. Let the Island breath authenticity, not who rubbed elbows with who.Crass, corny, shortsightedness.
Melita J says
What a wonderful idea that would be 🥰 I’d love to see this beautiful place restored to its glory,Blue Hawaii, Elvis days, even if you had to start from scratch.💞
Judy G says
Please refrain from lumping all Californians together. I’m a native Californian and have been to Hawaii many times. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the land, culture and traditions of the Islands. It is not in the spirit of Aloha to make such generalizations. My favorite island is Kauai, and it is sad to see the shell that was once the Coco Palms. Hopefully, it will someday become a place that not only benefits the island but respects Kauai’s heritage and history.
Bob G says
Coco palms, condemn the property, demo it and develop a park. 30+ years is too long.
Jeffery L says
Did you know my Auntie Yoshiko Mike (past away) …Give the name Coco Palms . She enter a ..contest to name this resort when she was in the Seven grade.!
Aloha
Lorne O says
A cultural centre and nature park would be a huge improvement! That, along with an upgrade to that stretch of highway and some biking lanes would be a welcome improvement. Kauai already has too many vacation rooms for its highway infrastructure to handle.
Richard S. says
It’s an eyesore for anyone who traveling past the site. Tear it down and make it a cultural site. It’s prone to flooding, either from the Wailua river or the ocean.
Wendy K. says
We were on Kauai in January. We stayed at Kauai Shores Hotel. We passed this ghostly structure every day. I didn’t know then it was the shell if the Coco Palms. I saw Blue Hawaii as a child and that movie started a love affair with Hawaii. So sad that there seems to be nothing to do to bring this iconic hotel back to life. I will keep hoping for a miracle 🤙❤🌸
Katherine T says
Am sadden to hear of this news and yet loved the movie blue Hawaii will not be able to visit until the virus has gone all away may you know its history that makes places like these remains in our hearts and sadden about who gets to make these decisions thank you for sharing.
Dave R says
Excessive tourism has wrecked Hawai’i and, as the C19 pandemic has demonstrated, created a lopsided and unsustainable economy. It’s amazing that any elected official would allow this project to remain on the books, let alone move forward. It’s never too late to reclaim even this small property for the people of the State of Hawai’i as a park. Or any non-commercial use.
Jared X says
That genie is already out of the bottle… there’s no putting back now. You think turning this ONE property into a “park” is going to somehow turn the tide back? Dream on. Doing that simply takes an already developed property–that could be–should be–generating millions in revenue and taxes–and hundreds of badly needed jobs–and turns it into a hole in the ground that the county–and local taxpayers–have to pay for in perpetuity. Try again.
Al. I. says
Coco Palms was the icon of Kauai unfortunately all icons must perish but the memories will live on. God bless Kauai.