Updated at 5:15 p.m., Sunday, January 27, 2008
Plan would convert Coco Palms to a historic park
Associated Press
State Sen. Gary Hooser is proposing having the state and some still undetermined partners buy Coco Palms Resort on Kaua'i's east side and convert it into a historic park.Hooser, who represents Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, introduced a bill requesting the appropriation of $10 million for the purchase.
The resort has been close since Hurricane Iniki inflicted heavy damage in 1992.
Coco Palms Ventures bought the resort in March 2006, planning a $220 million development to include 200 condos and 48 bungalows.
But the developer decided to put it up for sale in September before the plans could get under way
Coco Palms was once inhabited by Kaua'i's Hawaiian royalty. In the mid-1800s, it was home to the island's last reigning queen, Deborah Kapule.
