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State sheriff’s deputies are waiting to hear from the owners of Kauai’s shuttered Coco Palms resort now that dozens of people continue to occupy the property despite a court ruling two days ago.
“An official request for assistance by the property owner or their representative has not been received by the Sheriff’s Division,” Toni Schwartz, spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Safety, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in a statement. “Should assistance be required and requested, the SD will work with the property owner, (Kauai police) and the occupants towards a resolution to this matter.”
Coco Palms developers Tyler Greene and Chad Waters did not respond to requests for comment Monday.
Greene and Waters since 2012 have been trying to rebuild the resort, which was featured in the 1961 Elvis Presley movie “Blue Hawaii” and was devastated by Hurricane Iniki in 1992.
For much of 2017, Greene and Waters had been trying to remove dozens of people from 17 acres of land in Wailua, specifically Noa Mau-Espirito, who said he is a descendant of King Kaumualii, and Kamu “Charles” Hepa.
Last week, following a nearly two-month-long civil trial, District Court Judge Michael Soong ordered Mau-Espirito and Hepa from the property — but not their supporters, according to the Garden Island newspaper.
On Sunday about 80 people gathered at Coco Palms and faced the possibility of being arrested.
But no law enforcement officers appeared.
Kauai County spokeswoman Sarah Blane told the Star-Advertiser that county police are prepared to help sheriff’s deputies, if needed.
“A violation of a Writ of Ejectment would typically be enforced by the state sheriffs,” Blane wrote. “However, should the sheriffs request assistance from KPD, Kauai police would respond to that request.”
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