Coco Palms Resort, located in Kauai, Hawaii, was once a luxurious and iconic hotel that attracted visitors from all over the world. The resort was built in 1953 and became famous for its stunning Polynesian-inspired architecture and lush tropical gardens. However, in 1992, Coco Palms Resort suffered a major setback when Hurricane Iniki hit the island of Kauai.
The hurricane caused extensive damage to the resort, and it was forced to close its doors permanently. So why was Coco Palms Resort abandoned? Let’s take a closer look.
History of Coco Palms Resort
Coco Palms Resort was originally built in 1953 by Lyle Guslander and Grace Guslander. The architecture of the resort was inspired by traditional Polynesian design elements like thatched roofs, open-air lobbies, and tiki torches. The resort quickly became popular among tourists due to its unique design and beautiful location.
Over the years, many famous people stayed at Coco Palms Resort, including Elvis Presley who filmed his movie “Blue Hawaii” at the resort in 1961. Other celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby also vacationed at the resort.
Hurricane Iniki
On September 11, 1992, Hurricane Iniki struck the island of Kauai with winds up to 145 miles per hour. The hurricane caused widespread destruction across the island, including at Coco Palms Resort. The resort suffered extensive damage with many of its buildings destroyed or severely damaged.
Despite attempts to repair and reopen the resort after Hurricane Iniki, it never fully recovered from the damage caused by the hurricane. There were also issues with ownership changes which contributed to delaying any efforts of restoration.
Current Status
Today, almost three decades after Hurricane Iniki hit Kauai, Coco Palms Resort remains abandoned and in a state of disrepair. The resort has become a popular spot for urban explorers, though visitors are strongly discouraged from entering the property due to safety concerns.
There have been several attempts to redevelop the site over the years, but none have been successful. In 2018, a group of investors announced plans to restore and reopen Coco Palms Resort, but as of the present time, no significant progress has been made.
Conclusion
Coco Palms Resort was once an iconic hotel that attracted tourists from all over the world. However, after Hurricane Iniki struck Kauai in 1992, the resort suffered extensive damage and was forced to close permanently.
Despite several attempts to restore and reopen the resort over the years, it remains abandoned and in a state of disrepair. The future of Coco Palms Resort remains uncertain, but many people hope that one day it will be restored to its former glory.