Photo by Koolina Beach Villas

Everybody knows about the chain of stores across the state known as ABC stores.  Within the next couple of years the company will be opening a more high-end store on Kauai.  Known as Island Country Markets, the new store is scheduled to be opened in Poipu near Kukuiula and may have similar features to a similar store in Kapolei, Oahu. 

Here's a description of the store in Kapolei:

"Need something quick, easy and affordable?  The Island Country Market offers not only a full-service deli, but also a great selection of quality lunchmeats, cheeses, fruits & veggies, salads, wine, beer, hard liquor, resort gifts and sundry items. And one of the best parts of Island Country Market is that the prices are reasonable." - Koolina Beach Villas Resort

According to Pacific Business News, ABC Stores also plans to add a second Island Country Market store at the Coconut Marketplace.

With the redevelopment given the proper permits and the green light, everybody is wondering what the new Coco Palms will look like once it's finished.  Ron Agor, architect for the redevelopment, shed some light on the new look in a recent article published by Pacific Business News.  He describes the process as being long and grueling but the vision is finally coming to fruition. Using the existing structures, the architects plan to build off of the existing structures. Each building will have to be investigated to determine what is structurally sound.  Everything else will have to be torn down and rebuilt. 

"This project is in a way, it not about architecture. It is about respecting and bringing back the culture and history of Coco Palms." -Ron Agor for PBN

One of the key goals Mr. Agor points out is to first minimize any disturbance to the sacred Hawaiian Grounds on the property.  Another goal is to open the Shell Restaurant by January 2016.

Agor Architects are based on Kauai and have offices on Oahu and Maui.  They have worked on various projects on Kauai such as the Lihue YMCA.

Photo by: Kailani Koenig-Muenster WEBN News

75-Year-Old Actor and Celebrity martial artist, Chuck Norris, is in escrow on a Kauai property at Paradise Island Ranch in Kilauea. Mr. Norris has been searching for property on Kauai for some time now and it seems he has finally found his piece of paradise in Kilauea.

Old Coco Palms Map

The old dilapidated structures of the Coco Palms will soon be gone within the next couple of months after a slight delay.  The Planning Commission unanimously approved various key permits that allows the redevelopment to move forward, starting with the demolition of the old buildings.  The project to replace the old buildings and revamp the entire property will cost $135M, which will hopefully restore the Coco Palms back to it's original glory.

Foodland owner, The Sullivan Family of Companies, recently acquired the Princeville Center for the price of $51.3M.   The property sits on 20-acres and has the North shore of Kauai's only Supermarket and Gas Station.  Pacific Business News reports that the Princeville Center is one of the top performing Foodland stores of all of Hawaii. The Sullivan Family of Cos. may have plans to develop the 10-acres of undeveloped land adjacent to the center.

After a decade long legal battle to acquire 2.63-acres by the state ended in January, the county is moving forward with it's plans to expand Black Pot from it's current size of 5.8-acres.  The county is funding development of the area based on a master plan which is set to be completed by 2016.  The developer says it will hold community meetings to receive input from residents on the plan.