Our experience with the pandemic taught us firsthand how important it is for us to better manage our industries in a way that supports the regeneration of our resources and people’s well-being.
So while the prospect of bringing back the nostalgia and opulence of the Coco Palms Hotel from yesteryear might have seemed appropriate just 11 years ago when the ‘Iniki ordinance was revoked, it no longer serves this emerging perspective that is demanding a reevaluation of how we secure a more-balanced future.
Despite this, developers continue to push forward with their intention to build a 350-room hotel within the Wailua beach corridor, on the former Coco Palms property located in a flood and high-traffic zone. In addition, this region known as Wailuanuiaho‘ano is one of the most significant cultural complexes in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is the birth and burial site of our ali‘i and home to Kaua‘i’s most sacred he‘iau, from Hikinaakala, ‘A‘AKukui, Malae, Holoholoku and Poli‘ahu, including Queen Deborah Kapule’s fishponds Kawai‘iki and Weuweu.
In response to this hotel permit, a petition for declaratory order has been issued, claiming that the developers’ permit has lapsed, challenging the Special Management Area Permit issued because “substantial progress” has not been made on the development.
A hearing on this petition will be held by the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The petition raises arguments that should be thoroughly reviewed by our planning officials.
Now is the time to share your interests with our county planning officials and commissioners. Testimony can be submitted via email at planningdepartment@kauai.gov prior to 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10.
If our goal is a healthy and meaningful future that honors cultural and environmental preservation, building another hotel is the wrong approach. As a community we must evolve from the exploitive practices many outsiders believe we should continue to prescribe to.
We can no longer accept outside influences in the driver’s seat determining our future. We have to lead with culture, not money, for our community to ultimately thrive. We should expect more without having to compromise who we are or the places we cherish. We deserve growth that honors our past and protects our future.
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Mason Chock is vice chairman of the Kaua‘i County Council.
So no hotel ? Great ! That appeals to a vast majority in our community. Politicians love to do that. Now the tough question. How are you going to pay for it ? Every Kauai resident would need to chip in about $500 each and have the county buy the property via eminent domain in order to turn it into a park. Mason Chock, and every other politician on this island, how about you start coming up with a realistic plan to fund the money needed to turn this private property into a community park and stop with just appealing to the community’s emotions. Nobody really wants a hotel there but how do you get the island to pay for the alternative ?
I agree with Mason completely and mahalo for the link to council, I will certainly use it
These people coming from Utah or wherever telling us we’re not building huts here need to go back to their homes. Enough of outside influence making changes in our backyard to line their own pockets. That location is a traffic choke point and no longer feasible for a hotel, something I think most would agree a hotel we do not need here. How about housing? How about something that will enrich our lifestyles and honor and educate future generations and tourist alike?
I hope other people are posting a comment come back and check if their comment is indeed posted, mine was not. No hotel please, nothing to add substantially to traffic please and let locals decide not outside interests looking to line their pockets and local expense. We’ve seen enough of that in Hawaiian history. Mahalo