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488 thoughts on “Infamous Coco Palms Kauai | Why It Just Won’t End”

  1. 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

    1. 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.

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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!

    1. 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.

  6. 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

  7. 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.

    1. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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!

  10. 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

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