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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STAR-ADVERTISER.COM / NOV. 12, 2013
Coconuts crowded the signature lagoon of Coco Palms Resort, which closed in 1992 after it was devastated by Hurricane Iniki. The resort provided a set for Elvis Presley’s film “Blue Hawaii.”
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Hawaii investors recently submitted applications for Kauai permits to redevelop the Coco Palms Resort, which was closed after Hurricane Iniki heavily damaged it in 1992.
Coco Palms Hui LLC on Oct. 17 submitted applications to the Kauai County Planning Department for a special management area permit, zoning permit, project development use permit and a variance permit.A public hearing will be held by the Planning Commission on Dec. 9.
Investor Tyler Greene said, "We just really appreciate the island of Kauai and all the support that the community has shown toward the project. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are today."
In December the County Council approved a two-year deferral on a bill that would repeal an ordinance that expedited the permit process for structures battered by Iniki. The deferral on Bill 2502 allowed the Coco Palms investors to work on the permits and submit applications under the expedited permit process.
Greene and his investment partner, Chad Waters, are targeting to reopen Coco Palms to the public in 2017. Development costs are estimated at $135 million, and Hyatt Hotel’s management will oversee the resort.
Residents and visitors have nostalgic memories of the iconic hotel where scenes from the 1961 Elvis Presley movie "Blue Hawaii" were filmed. Weekly tours are held at the resort.
The hotel was originally built in 1953 on grounds where Kauai’s last reigning queen, Deborah Kapule Kekaihaakulou, once lived.
