CHICAGO—A Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Coco Palms Hui LLC for The Coco Palms Resort on Kauai, Hawaii. Devastated by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, the revitalization of the 363-room historic hotel is scheduled to begin in early 2015 and following a two-year reconstruction period, it is scheduled to re-open in early 2017. The Coco Palms Resort redevelopment is being spearheaded by the owner and developer Coco Palms Hui LLC, and it will continue to operate as The Coco Palms Resort under the umbrella of Hyatt.
The Coco Palms Resort was originally built in 1953 with just over 20 guestrooms on grounds that were once home to Kauai’s last reining queen, Queen Deborah Kapule Kekaiha`akulou. In 1961, the on-property filming of Blue Hawaii made it world famous. Under the direction of Grace and Gus Guslander, The Coco Palms Resort expanded to over 400 guestrooms.
“Mahalo to the local and state government for their support of the redevelopment efforts of the historic Coco Palms Resort,” states Tyler Greene, manager of Coco Palms Hui LLC. “Our endeavor to revitalize the grounds and rebuild, all the while preserving the soul of the iconic resort is an ambitious project. We are delighted to join forces with Hyatt, another Hawaiian icon of hospitality that has been delivering authentic hospitality to guests for over 30 years in Hawaii.”
The Coco Palms Resort is located in the Wailua area of southeastern Kauai. The resort’s redevelopment plan will preserve the original footprint of the property and signature lagoon, while rebuilding approximately 331 guestrooms and 32 bungalows, multiple restaurants, lounges, and swimming pools. The guest experience will be enhanced by the adjacent Wailua Beach and River, one of the largest coconut groves on the Hawaiian Islands and views of the Nounou Mountain, locally known as the Sleeping Giant. Currently plans are in progress for the catalogue and potential restoration and reuse of historic and unique elements of the hotel. A community center highlighting the cultural significance of the site will be located on property, which will serve to educate residents and visitors about the area’s native culture, history, and arts.
“The redevelopment of The Coco Palms Resort is not just a feel-good story. The investment of time, money, and labor to revitalize the resort grounds and reignite the spirit of this legendary hotel is great news for our community,” said Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
“We look forward to welcoming a new generation of visitors to The Coco Palms Resort along with our owners Coco Palms Hui LLC, all the while recognizing and honoring the spirit and history of the resort,” stated Jordan Meisner, senior vice president of operations for Hyatt.
