FAQ

• Preserving and restoring a historic site listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Hawaiʻi Register of Historic Places.
• Transforming a neglected area into a safe, beautiful space that reflects the respect and care this special place deserves.
• Removing tens of thousands of pounds of trash and over 100 abandoned vehicles to restore the natural beauty of the area.
• Adding 40 parking spaces for Kauaʻi residents to conveniently access and enjoy Wailua Beach.
• Providing a public comfort station (restroom) for the community and visitors at Wailua Beach.
• Creating a space for guests to learn and connect with native Hawaiian culture through educational experiences.
• Delivering 30 additional affordable housing units to support Kauaʻi’s residents.
• Generating more than 300 construction jobs and over 400 full-time positions, boosting local employment.
• Investing over $400 million in direct restoration efforts, with hundreds of millions more in indirect economic benefits for the community.
• Contributing millions of dollars in additional annual tax revenue to benefit Kauaʻi’s economy and public services.

All buildings are being rebuilt above what is known as the base flood elevation, which requires raising the buildings anywhere from a couple of feet to more than 9 feet. That will put the buildings above the historic flood elevation.

The exceptions are the Queens Audience Hall and the Retail Building on Kuhio Highway, which cannot be raised above the base flood elevation without falling apart. These buildings are being made flood-resistant so they can also withstand a historic flood.

No one has more incentive than we do to ensure the Coco Palms is restored in a way that will allow it to survive future flooding.

The committee began by engaging with Native Hawaiians, followed by residents of Wailua, and finally the broader Kauaʻi community. Through these discussions, the community shared dozens of principles to ensure the restoration of Coco Palms honors its cultural and historical significance. These principles were carefully compiled into a guiding document that shapes every aspect of the restoration process.

The cultural advisory committee remains active and continues to gather valuable feedback from the community. We invite you to share your manaʻo with us through the comment section on this website, as your input is essential to preserving the spirit of this cherished place.

Coco Palms has taken significant steps to ensure there is no negative impact on traffic in the surrounding area. A comprehensive Traffic Impact Analysis Report (TIAR) was prepared as part of the initial permitting process to assess and address potential concerns.

We anticipate no traffic impact from Coco Palms guests due to proactive measures, including:

• Reducing the number of hotel rooms: The approved design features 350 rooms, down from over 400 that existed before Hurricane Iniki.
• Offering a complimentary airport shuttle service, eliminating the need for guests to rent vehicles.
• Providing shuttle service to Kauaʻi’s iconic attractions, ensuring guests can explore the island without personal vehicles.
• Implementing a meaningful overnight parking fee, further discouraging guests from bringing vehicles to the property.

For the relatively few guests who bring vehicles, their usage is expected to occur primarily outside of peak traffic hours, causing minimal disruption.

We also anticipate no traffic impact from our employees. Many hospitality workers on Kauaʻi reside in the Kapaʻa and Līhuʻe areas. By employing local residents, Coco Palms will reduce the need for lengthy commutes to other resorts, further easing traffic in the region.

Additionally, Coco Palms has invested in improvements to the bus stop and other traffic-related enhancements in the area, contributing to better traffic flow for the entire community.

Finally, an updated Traffic Impact Analysis Report (TIAR) will be conducted after Coco Palms opens to evaluate the hotel’s actual impact on traffic and ensure ongoing compliance with traffic management goals.

A large illegal encampment had been established on conservation lands, leading to noise, safety concerns, and environmental degradation. Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the encampment caused extensive damage to the property through unauthorized grubbing and grading activities.

In 2022, after gaining control of the land, we responded to the concerns of neighbors and requests from the State government to restore the area. Our team invested tens of thousands of dollars to clean up the site, removing thousands of pounds of trash and nearly 100 abandoned vehicles. These efforts effectively halted further damage and helped restore the integrity of this conservation land.

We remain committed to caring for this special place and ensuring it is treated with the respect it deserves.

The restoration will preserve the National and Hawaiʻi historic landmark, ensuring the historic Coconut Grove flourishes and avoids further decline. Additionally, the renovation will create hundreds of jobs, generate over $400 million in economic benefits for Kauaʻi, and bring new vitality to the area, reinforcing its importance as a cherished part of the island’s history and future.

In 2022, after gaining control of the land, we responded to the concerns of neighbors and the Hawaiʻi State government by investing tens of thousands of dollars to clean and restore the site. Our efforts removed thousands of pounds of trash and nearly 100 abandoned vehicles, successfully halting the ongoing grading and grubbing activities.

We remain committed to maintaining the integrity of this land and ensuring it is treated with the respect and care it deserves.

Yes. The State Historic Preservation Division approved an Archaeological Monitoring Plan for the project. Pursuant to this plan, archaeological monitoring is required for all ground disturbing activities. Archaeological monitoring includes documentation of the installation and maintenance of any interim protective measures for the hotel lagoon and any architectural properties for which interim protection may be appropriate.

Coco Palms has a fish and wildlife plan in place to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act.

Yes. Coco Palms is named after the beautiful Coconut Grove that is an essential part of this remarkable place.

The Coconut Grove was planted 130 years ago by Mr. Lindeman in a failed attempt to operate a copra business (mostly coconut oil).By the 1950s, the Coconut Grove had declined from more than 2,000 trees to 75 trees and was at risk of dying out.

The Coco Palms hotel was founded in 1953 and the hotel and its primary proprietor, Grace Guslander, nursed the Coconut Grove back to health. We are honored to assume Ms. Guslander’s kuleana to landscape and maintain the coconut trees consistent with modern nursery and landscaping practices without changing the appearance or characteristics of this historic feature.

While none of the original trees remain, the Coco Palms historically replaced dead trees with new ones to renew the grove. We will continue that tradition.

Yes, a comprehensive survey was conducted to gather input from Kauaʻi residents. SMS Hawaiʻi, a reputable marketing consulting company, was hired by the communications firm working with Utah-based developer Reef Capital Partners to carry out the survey. Between November and December 2023, 1,100 registered voters on the island were polled.

The results showed that a majority of respondents expressed support for the restoration of Coco Palms, highlighting the community’s positive outlook on the project and its potential to revitalize this iconic landmark.