![]() Trask said he doesn’t think his client RP21 Coco Palms violated any land use laws in performing grading work and cutting down coconut trees. SHPD has also opened an investigation into the razing of dozens of trees in the coconut grove planted in the mid-1890s.Ī group of mostly Native Hawaiian activists occupied the Coco Palms hotel site for about a year starting in 2017 in a dispute over land use rights. Other investigations into possible violations related to wetlands in the area are underway by the State Historic Preservation Division and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, according to DLNR Chairwoman Dawn Chang, who appeared at the council meeting. On April 21, the DLNR issued a notice of default to Coco Palms Ventures - a leaseholder that at one time planned to redevelop the hotel site - alleging violations of six provisions in its revocable 65-year lease agreement, including failure to pay county property tax, removing at least 77 healthy coconut trees and uncontrolled noxious weeds. The notice alleges that the group used machinery to grade land and clear trees on state-owned land in a conservation district without a required permit or Board of Land and Natural Resources approval. On April 19, the DLNR sent a notice of alleged violations to RP21 Coco Palms, the owner of the private properties in the resort complex. ![]() The project is currently in the throes of a state land use investigation. “Yes, it’s a bad idea,” Kauai Planning Director Ka’aina Hull said of the prospect of redeveloping the hotel with 1992-era building rules that don’t account for the predicted effects of a merciless rise in sea level. So although the hotel ruins sit across the highway from a vulnerable coastline fortified by sandbags and an old seawall, the hotel redevelopment project does not have to comply with newer county rules, such as its conservative shoreline setback ordinance that aims to defend new construction from a watery demise. The current application to rebuild the Coco Palms was approved before what’s colloquially known as the Iniki ordinance sunset in 2015. Hopes for its restoration have hinged on a county ordinance that allowed property damaged by Hurricane Iniki to be rebuilt in compliance with the county rules and permitting requirements in place at the time of the storm. The historic Coco Palms has been closed since being ravaged on Sept. ![]() The reason why they’re pursuing development of this project is because they need to make their money back for that purpose.” “The money that was lent for this project was from a pension fund for firemen, police officers and other government employees,” Trask said. I believe this: If this is what this community wants, we can get it done.”Īttorney Mauna Kea Trask, who represents developer RP21 Coco Palms, said the county need not pursue eminent domain because his client is willing to sell its ownership in the dilapidated hotel and former Sea Shell restaurant for $22 million - an amount equal to the developer’s original investment. We could put some CIP projects on the side for a little while. “Because with condemnation comes the real market value that we’ve got to pay. “But that comes at a price,” Rapozo warned. The chairman’s proposal drew public cheers and applause. The dialogue hit a high note when Rapozo announced his intent to explore the use of eminent domain to wrangle the Coco Palms site away from a revolving door of hotel developers and instead preserve the historic property for public use. ![]() Kauai’s Coco Palms Resort was damaged in Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and has never been rebuilt. ![]()
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