fdecarlo

Probably old news to some of you, but we just found out about it:

http://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article78041.html

Hyatt is investing $135 million to restore this excellent property. The only remaining problem is getting Kauai's Planning Commission to show up for their public meetings:

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opin...f8fe5de88.html

Weekender

This is such great news. I stayed at Coco Palms a number of times and it was a wonderful property. The Guslanders were fabulous hosts.

fdecarlo

Fortunately, the article said they're trying to keep (or rebuild based on) the resort's original elements: the lagoon bungalows, chapel etc. The layout was great imo.

These vintage photos might bring back a few memories:

http://www.messynessychic.com/2014/0...tiki-paradise/

Weekender

This was a nightly event at Coco Palms:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaMfx4TYNU0

Kal

I'll believe it when I see it. I hope they can but also hope they have some traffic mitigation plans because if everyone wants to turn left right after the expanded Wailua River Bridge to get to the main entrance, it will back up traffic even further.

We took a tour thru the grounds last year. Loved the tour guide, Bob Jasper. His love for this property shows.
Still an awesome place even in disrepair and occasional vandalism/fires. We were lucky enough to walk thru it during our first visit to Kauai in '89.

Still shaking our heads over turning down a dinner invitation at Kintaro's with Coco Palms' Grace Guslander....we didn't know who she was and thought it a dreaded timeshare presentation we were warned to avoid.

Inakauaidavidababy

Did they ever find the stolen wooden doors that were stolen a few years back? I'm not holding my breath on this one. As Kal points out traffic is a major concern. Both vehicle and pedestrian.

Kal

Bob did comment on how he has caught people in there and had to toss them (he carries a large Bowie knife strapped to his leg) and has also tracked down some of the missing items with the help of KPD.

Some dumb crook put a sea shell sink on a website like on E-bay!

They should make a 2nd entrance around the back by BOP.

fdecarlo

To address traffic concerns, development plans include a pedestrian bridge over the highway, from the Seashell Restaurant to the resort. This should mitigate much or most of the traffic to and from the beach:

http://thegardenisland.com/news/pede...e674a8e2c.html

iceeu2

where is the seashell restUrant?

Kal

Cool...I thought there once was a bridge over Kuhio Hwy to Seashells "back in the day".

Kal

Icee...across the street from Coco Palms and at the East end of Wailua Beach. Kinda connected to Wailua Bay Condos....near the Shell Station.

Kal

Until maybe last year it was so overgrown you didn't even know there was a structure under the plants even if you walked by it.

gigib

I see where the beautiful main lobby burned last July 4, and the Hyatt announcement was from the previous May! Do they know what caused the fire? Convenient now that Hyatt doesn't have to worry about preserving the old lobby...
(I am not normally this cynical)

Shar

saw it a year ago when we were on Kauai. Sad shape. It will
take a lot to rebuild it. On our 10th wedding anniversary in 1992 we went for a drink and the torch lighting ceremony. Lovely place in its day but lots of traffic in front of the resort which wouldn't work for me. I might go back just to stay a night to see what it is like. It was quite the place in the early days. THEE destination when you were on Kauai. Definitely need pedestrian overpass.

fdecarlo

Just to update this topic, last I heard rebuilding is finally set to begin, or maybe already has begun. I've no idea how current this map is, but fortunately it looks like Hyatt are keeping the same basic layout for the Coco Palms:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/237072367859243818/

According to the map most everything is being repaired or renovated, except for the bungalows and a few other buildings which are being rebuilt. Artist renditions are looking very nice imo, e.g.:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/n...egin-in-a.html

Last I heard the developers had been lobbied by locals and others into keeping the coconut grove as part of the property. Good move imo.

Shar

I will believe it when I see it! Heard this was gong to happen many times. Hope it does open. Great grounds but not in the best of locations - right on the busy highway and have to cross that busy road to get to beach.

Shar

the front section of the Coco Palms will need lots of renovation. It is a mess. Bridge over the highway....hmmm think I have heard that one before as well. I sure hope it happens....

BarbAnn

Oh, I hope it reopens. I have very fond memories of visiting the Coco Palms in the mid '70s and in 1981. I have not been back to Kauai since 1981, although I have visited all the other islands MANY times. I'd go back if the Coco Palms reopens!

fdecarlo

Shar, the difference this time is that Hyatt are the investors. To the tune of nine figures.

Shar

HYATT should do a a great job.I love the look and layout of the Grand Hyatt in Poipu. I hope it happens as the grounds are so lovely there and it is a shame to have it continually sit and deteriorate. 10th anniversary drink there after we saw the torch lightening ceremony. Iniki did a number on it and the place must have been in litigation that just didn't stop. Going back next year so will check up on it.