Chapel at the Coco Palms Resort
The long-awaited demolition of the historic Coco Palms finally began last Thursday, a first step in the targeted 2017 reopening as a Hyatt resort.
More than two decades have passed since Hurricane Iniki passed over the islands, destroying the Coco Palms resort. Two years ago, a fire caused even more damaged to the tattered resort.
The demolishing won't be so simple. Developers Chad Waters and Tyler Greene with Coco Palms Hui, LLC say they are trying to save as many relics of the original resort, such as the first footprint, square footage and site plan, through selective demolition. Their goal is to honor the past while celebrating the future.
The total renovation is projected to cost $135 million, which will be used for a 350 key hotel, three restaurants, banquet facilities and more on a 46 acre lot of land.
Developers also say construction and operation of the hotel will create 1,800 direct and indirect jobs.