The future of Coco Palms redevelopment still hangs in limbo. The State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has issued a cease and desist order against the Utah-based developer’s work on the property. The reason the state alleges this is that unpermitted work is occurring.
Strangely, the owner’s representative said instead that the company was doing Kauai a favor by clearing vegetation on the overgrown property at Kapaa.
Will this put the kibosh on the 350-room resort?
The future of Coco Palms’ development is anything but clear. While the demolition is beginning, the community is outspoken in its attempt to prevent the development for many reasons. The Kauai Council Chairperson said, “The sentiment today from what I’m hearing as I go across this island is completely opposite. No, they don’t want to see a new hotel there.” The degree of community sentiment against the development is overwhelmingly strong.
Multiple sources report that the cease and desist order was issued to the developer, which required an immediate stop to the unpermitted clearing of trees and other vegetation. The developer is allegedly subject to fines of $15,000 per day and has thirty days to respond to the order.
There is so much vaguery about what’s going on in relation to the development company, the state DLNR and the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The DLNR said that the developer is in potential violation of the state land use conservation district. That inasmuch as equipment is being used and vegetation and trees are being removed without the necessary permits.
So many questions remain about Coco Palms.
The developer sees a new Coco Palms Resort rebuilt by 2026. That is without regard to the incredible “Kapaa crawl” traffic, the eroded beach across the highway from the resort, plus a plethora of other concerns, including cultural ones, and staffing issues.
Coco Palms Ventures has brazenly stated that they can import adequate people to Kauai to staff the resort.
The impact of a 350-room hotel at that location is enormous. Also, the location is deemed so culturally and historically important that it should never be developed. Also, the long-postponed development appears based on permits many believe are no longer valid.
One thing is for sure. This is not going to be smooth sailing.
We welcome your comments.
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I guess I am confused. I understand the original developed won the auction to develop the property. If the county of Kauai accepted this money they should know this and know the developer paid the county as does DNLR?
This if the county no longer agrees they should return the money to the developer. Business is business. When people say they don’t know who owns the land it is great cause for concern.
I like others would prefer a smaller resort with the retention of the beautiful palms and heritage areas. But getting rid of the eyesore laying in ruins since 1992 would be a welcome sight for many.
You can’t have it both ways. I would assume any stipulations were put into the deal. The cease amd discist doesn’t make sense.
Why doesn’t the state make it affordable housing for residents instead? It would mean more people could afford to rent there and staff existing tourism and other businesses
State is you and your taxes. Affordable housing is affordable because you the taxpayer paid taxes to subsidize the housing. Does affordable housing units stay clean or fall in to disrepair?
Business that is trying to make a profit wants to attract customers. Do you shop at an eye sore? Do you feel safe around rundown buildings?
Are you kidding me? This area has been a putrid eyesore on Kauai for the past 30 years, and now that there is some positive momentum, the government wants to shut it down? These are the same government-types that have delivered us Detroit, Oakland, and Gary. Rebuild the beauty of Coco Palms, and allow for an area to teach the cultural and historical importance. The positive tax income will be welcomed as well.
The lively ness of Hawaii is tourists with out it, it would not be as nice a place. Tourists help pay for city works, housing and programs for the vets and homeless ones, with out their taxes Hawaii would be a dump. Since Hawaii is not a auto mfg., Sweat shop, etc.. Let’s be kind to tourists that spend their hard earn dollars in Hawaii’s food service, hotels, and entertainment places. Thank you.
Drove by it several times in October 2022.
Probably the worst looking old location on the island. Super close to the main road.
Opinion here is it should be raised and somthing else or even better an affordable hostel for us poorer travelers be put in its place.
I understand the sorry about Matute but that ole eyesore has to go. Maybe a smaller resortwould be better for the locals. In planning a tripa to oahu but not as a tourist but a visitor and to my oldhome pearl city. I hear so much complaining about tourist i think ill go to puertorico i feel welcome when i go there the locales need the work thats why its half the cost there i way really looking forward to going island jumping but theres so many tourist charger high price on everything i have a bug decision to make aloha
Sorry about the bad spelling must be auto check lol. Aloha
There are many beautiful places to visit in the world where tourists are still welcome and the prices are fair for locals and tourists.
I lived in Hawaii for 26 years, the historic and cultural significance is understood, but leaving an unsightly massive debris of a hotel is not acceptable. Let this company bring back what Kauai was so famously known for. Look at 5his way, what ever is done to that property i# better than what is there now….
I’d like to see a major Chinese Conglomerate build huge resorts where coco Palms is.
We recently visited Kapa’a. I would agree that Coco Palms should not be developed. There is too much traffic along that strip to allow guests to use the beach safely. Of course, more importantly, the cultural significance of that property should supersede any resort development.
Coco Palms Ventures no longer exists. That firm was a couple developers ago that planned to develop Coco Palms. However. the Revocable Permits for use of state land general lease of state land that is adjacent to the fee simple land owned by RP21 Coco Palms LLC are in that defunct Coco Palms Ventures name. RP21 Coco Palms LLC is the owner of the fee simple parcel(s) and now hoping to develop Coco Palms and attempting to obtain those revocable permits and general lease of state land. The Issue currently is they apparently have done some work involving the state land that does not have their name on the revocable permits or general lease, at least not yet.
I love the movie blue Hawaii and the coco palms look like a great place.l have a picture of my daughter there in 1994 she was 15 mouths old.l would like to take her to the new resort. Thankyou
I pray Coco Palms is rebuilt! I plan to book my stay there as soon as reservations can be placed.
It would be nice to see some sort of small museum on that spot, along with information for tourists on why this land is so historically and culturally important.
Everyone who wants to see it rebuilt is just reminiscing and feeling nostalgic. Get over it and do something innovative!
I find it interesting that the developer states that they are, “doing Kauai a favor” by clearing the vegetation and trees. This statement almost reeks of arrogance. I also find it very hard to believe other statements by the developer saying they respect the culture and history of the people of Kauai. When my wife & I made our first trip to Kauai in 1997, we were fortunate to have wonderful conversations with many locals. One gentleman used a phrase that we adopted regarding certain people that do not respect the culture and people. That term is, “mean landers”. This developer fits that description. I truly hope the project is halted and the site becomes a fitting cultural center that meets the wishes of the people of Kauai.
Hello,
I have family that live on Kauai for the last 10 years and have been visiting the island since 2007. The hotel or what’s left of it has been an eye sore ever since I first seen it. I totally understand the Locals concerns but maybe there is a middle ground we’re they could meet with the developer. It’s historical, sacred, and agricultural piece of land but it’s also a business venture.
It would nice to see something there that could represent all parties involved. Traffic in that area is very congested and not a lot room for major parking.
Hope it one day it can be a beautiful sight just like the rest of the island!
Thank you!
And so the Coco Palms soap opera continues. As a long time visitor to Kauai in the past & having been married at the chapel there in ’85, I agree with the locals that the derelict buildings should be razed & a lovely historical park constructed. Keep up the great work guys with your N/L–love it.
Hi Mary.
Always good to hear from you. And thank you!
Aloha.
Anyone could see this coming.
My best guess is that there will be too many hoops to jump through for anyone to do anything with this property. At least not in the foreseeable future.
Something needs to be done with this eye sore. A park, a parking lot, low income homes??? Or just demolish it and leave it as land but left as is has been and will continue to be an embarrassment to the island.
Demolishing it would lower the taxable value of the property, meaning the state or County would get less tax money on it as “undeveloped land”. So doubtful they’ll bulldoze the place. Saw this happen in the Middle of Carson City NV, a hotel casino (Ormsby House) opened across from the State Capital building around 1972-73 seemed popular with locals operated about 20 years then shut its doors and was left unoccupied. The City finally got tired of the building and parking garage not doing anything so they told the owners to do something. The owners told the City “fine we’ll demolish the complex, and your tax income will drop to that of “undeveloped land”. The City backed off rapidly and never said another word to the owners.
There are many options for that property. It doesn’t have to be a hotel. Public park, visitor’s center, Hawaiian Cultural Arts/entertainment etc. Kauai is following the state’s typical roadblock bureaucracy. Preventing viable alternatives to a current eyesore. Make A decision, have public input, but for gods sake IMUA!
Please be considerate of their culture. However, I would love to se it rebuilt, this could be replicated in a different location on the island. I stayed there in 1969 and it was breathtaking. With today’s technology, it could be replicated and every would be happy. Thank you
I wonder if they are clearing out all the invasive species of plants that they are required by law to remove from any properties they own.
And we wonder why our children go off island and never return.
“Legal” processes notwithstanding, should there be a Monkey Wrench Gang? Edward Abbey, where art thou?
If the state approved the purchase and the blue prints to rebuild then I think they need let them continue. I understand environmental issues but all that should have been discussed before purchase. This company is investigating alot of money to develop a nice place instead of the eye soar that it has become. Seems a little like the state is flipping on the original agreement and that will cost the investor which is wrong. If the state has changed the rules then the state should reimburse the investor. A new hotel where an historic one was is exciting and should be embraced.
Yes your right. A lot of the comments here to make a park or some other public building will be funded by us. We already pay way too much tax. Let the developer continue and let them bear the cost.
Local authorities need to handcuff the demolition crew, increase the fine rates, and get the governor’s office to support the will of the citizens of Kaua’i immediately.
State should buy and get rid of derelict buildings and make a park. Of course that means tax the people of the state to make it happen. And no property tax income from resort. Or let resort move forward. No free lunch.