The Kauai County Council has given new life to an expedited permit process enacted by ordinance 20 years ago to speed the repair of structures battered by Hurricane Iniki.
The Council’s 6-1 vote on Wednesday gives an Oahu investment group, Coco Palms Hui LLC, more time to work with the county on matters such as building permits and restoration plans for the iconic Coco Palms Resort, which has remained shuttered since the Category 4 storm hit the island 21 years ago.
The Council approved a two-year deferral on a bill that would repeal the older ordinance.
"I’m voting for this opportunity and possibility for the Coco Palms legacy to live on," said Council Chairman Jay Furfaro. "It is a very special place. In two years, the Council will revisit Bill 2502, a measure designed to assist in reconstruction by allowing developers to build on a ‘pre-Iniki’ footprint, avoiding additional regulatory hoops and associated expenses."
After the meeting, Coco Palms Hui developer Chad Waters said, "We are very grateful and appreciative that the County Council will give us an extra 24 months to secure our building permits. We’re excited and ready to go to work."
Waters and his investment partner, Tyler Greene, told the Council about their plans to construct 325 to 350 hotel rooms — compared with the 395 available hotel rooms during pre-Iniki days.
The group has spent nearly $500,000 to remove overgrowth, trim and cut down trees and conduct hazardous material studies. It also has brought contractors, architects and arborists to the property.
Several community members testified in support of the Coco Palms Hui and its commitment to restore the resort where scenes of the Elvis Presley movie "Blue Hawaii" were filmed during the early 1960s.
Councilman Gary Hooser cast the lone dissenting vote. He had requested that the investment group put a deed restriction on the property prohibiting a time-share conversion in the future.
Waters said no plans are in the works to build time-share units. However, in the case of extreme unforseen circumstances, such as another hurricane sweeping through the island, time-share units would be considered as a means to help keep the property afloat.
Other Council members said they are willing to give Coco Palms Hui a chance despite failed attempts by other developers to restore the site.
"I’m willing to take a leap of faith and support this," said Councilman Mason Chock.
Though Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura expressed concerns about projected traffic congestion and other problems, she said, "I’m going to trust the developers to address them effectively."
