The long-awaited reopening of Coco Palms Resort on Kauai has hit another snag, as the state has issued a cease and desist order to the developers. Here’s what you need to know about the situation.
Background on Coco Palms Resort Coco
Palms Resort was a historic hotel located in Wailua on Kauai, known for its lush gardens and iconic lagoon. The resort was destroyed in 1992 by Hurricane Iniki and has remained closed ever since.
Several attempts have been made to reopen the resort over the years, but all have been unsuccessful. In recent years, new developers have taken on the project and have been working to bring the resort back to life.
The cease and desist order On April 20, 2023, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) issued a cease and desist order to the developers of Coco Palms Resort. According to the DOH, the developers have been conducting construction work at the site without the necessary permits and approvals.
The DOH has cited several violations, including the dumping of construction waste into the Wailua River, which is a violation of the Clean Water Act. The DOH has ordered the developers to immediately stop all construction work and to submit a plan to remediate the environmental damage caused by the violations.
Impact on the reopening
The cease and desist order is a major setback for the developers of Coco Palms Resort, who have been working for years to bring the iconic hotel back to life. The developers have not yet commented on the situation, but it’s clear that the order will delay the reopening of the resort.
The situation also highlights the importance of following proper procedures and obtaining the necessary permits and approvals before conducting construction work. The DOH has emphasized that it takes violations of environmental regulations very seriously and will take action against those who violate them.
Next steps
It’s unclear what the next steps will be for the developers of Coco Palms Resort. They will need to submit a plan to the DOH to remediate the environmental damage caused by the violations before they can resume construction work.
The cease and desist order is just the latest in a series of setbacks for the developers, who have faced numerous challenges in their efforts to reopen the iconic resort. It remains to be seen when, or if, Coco Palms Resort will ever reopen its doors to guests.
Conclusion
The cease and desist order issued to the developers of Coco Palms Resort is a setback for those who have been eagerly anticipating the reopening of the iconic hotel. The situation highlights the importance of following proper procedures and obtaining the necessary permits and approvals before conducting construction work. It remains to be seen what the next steps will be for the developers and whether or not Coco Palms Resort will ever reopen.
