Following a court ruling last month, the Coco Palms project is back on track. And, hopefully, this will be the last big delay the highly anticipated project experiences. Also on the Kauai, confusion abounds at the St. Regis Princeville. What the heck is going on?!
Coco Palms Project Back on Track
While the Hyatt Unbound Collection Coco Palms is a hotel I’d very much like to stay at, I haven’t been following the project all that closely. In fact, last time I had heard anything about it, work was stalled because of lawsuits and activists. However, a little over a month ago Coco Palms Hui LLC got its day in court. And at the hearing, Circuit Court Chief Judge Randall Valenciano ruled in favor of Coco Palms Hui to uphold a summary judgment made back in June. That judgment struck down claims of ownership by Native Hawaiian activists.
With the case now behind them, Coco Palms Hui officials hope to begin construction in Q1 2019. Currently, they’re going through the permitting process.
Despite the good news, the Coco Palms isn’t in the clear yet. The activist group plans to appeal the case, so further delays are possible.
Starwood Capital Not Purchasing the St. Regis Princeville?
A little while back I reported on the sale of the St. Regis Princeville to Starwood Capital. At the time, the Pacific Business News believed the sale had gone through and that the property would rebrand under Starwood Capital’s 1 Hotels. However, according to The Garden Isle, Starwood Capital officials are denying the sale. However, officials also said that they cannot comment on the matter as they don’t comment on purchases they may or may not be reviewing. Hmmm ?. And to add fuel to the fire, all parties allegedly involved are now refusing to comment. Even those that had previously confirmed the sale.
Coco Plams Project is Back on Track & St. Regis Woes, Final Thoughts
Again, I sincerely hope the Coco Palms project will finally be able to get off the ground. The property has been languishing since it was decimated by Hurricane Iniki back in 1992. So it would be great to finally have something happen on the site. And, from the few renderings released so far, the reborn Coco Palms Unbound Collection looks very promising.
As far as the St. Regis goes, the news surrounding it is a convoluted mess. But, because of the cryptic statements now being made, I believe Starwood Capital will be purchasing the property. And while this process is frustrating for all of us, especially since the situation could result in the loss of ability to redeem points here, it’s even worse for employees. To have to live with the possibility of being out of work in the near future without solid answers? That would drive me insane! So I hope they get the answers they so deserve soon. And, whoever the new owners are, I hope they do right by the property’s existing employees.
Thanks for the update…
Just got back a couple of weeks ago. Every time I see that shell of a place I wonder when and if it will EVER get rebuilt.
And FYI, while you and I may know where the Garden Isle is, many people may not. You made no mention that it is Kauai. :-)
Aloha!
Hah! Didn’t even realize I did that. Thanks for making note of that. Aloha!
While I certainly wish the Coco Palms/Hyatt project well, I struggle to see the economic viability of a luxury resort at this location. The very busy Kuhio Highway fronts the hotel and separates the hotel from the beach. The beach itself is nothing to write home about, being a fairly narrow stretch of sand, often with murky water due to its location at the mouth of the Wailua River. On top of that is the constant road noise. I can’t see how a resort could successfully position itself as a luxury retreat against this backdrop, regardless of the historic aspects of the location. I think a budget to mid-range hotel could work here, but I fail to see how this location could compete with the upmarket alternatives available on the island. Am I missing something?
Excellent points, Wes. But I liken their situation to that of the Halekulani, Ritz-Carlton Residence Waikiki, etc. The Halekulani is supposed to be one of the top luxury hotels in the state, but the beach fronting it is pathetic, and while not on Kalakaua Ave., the street fronting it is insanely busy too. In fact, when my friends got married there, you could clearly hear all the traffic from the central courtyard. And the Ritz-Carlton isn’t even near the beach at all.
Perhaps the Coco Palms is going to be more of a lifestyle hotel project? The Surfjack Hotel and The Laylow Waikiki are both far from the water, have zero views, are along incredibly busy roads, and command higher prices. People go there for the vibe of the property and whatnot, not so much for the location (I’m guessing). So, if I had to guess, I’d say the Coco Palms has a similar goal in mind.