Coco Palms Resort on the Hawaiian island of Kauai is finally getting a new life as a Kimpton resort participating in IHG One Rewards.

Since 1992, the famed resort has sat untouched and in disrepair after being significantly damaged during Hurricane Iniki. Before that, the hotel was a hot spot for celebrities back in its heyday, hosting the likes of Elvis Presley, Gene Autry and Rita Hayworth.

Now, the property will transform into Coco Palms, A Kimpton Resort, the first property in IHG’s luxury and lifestyle collection in Hawaii. It is set to open in 2026.

Reef Capital Partners owns the dilapidated resort, which has remained essentially untouched for over 30 years, according to Hawaii’s KHON-TV. The owners reportedly plan to spend $400 million to repair it.

Once opened, the fresh resort will feature 350 rooms in three different low-rise buildings and a redesign “guided by Native Hawaiian advisors within the local community,” according to a statement from IHG. This will ensure that “guests are welcomed with an authentic, culturally rich experience.”

Once restored and renovated, Coco Palms will offer three swimming pools and various restaurants and bars, including a rooftop bar and a pool bar. The original hotel’s evening torch-lighting ceremony will also return after three decades.

Additionally, the resort will have an on-site cultural center and museum that celebrates the island of Kauai and its history and traditions through special exhibits, lectures, activations and other educational experiences.

“Hawaii beckons travelers seeking both relaxation and discovery,” Leanne Harwood, IHG’s senior vice president and managing director for luxury and lifestyle in the Americas, said in the statement. “This wholly reimagined resort will welcome not only visitors but also the local community, with unique, culturally respectful experiences all within an inspiring boutique luxury setting.”

Once open, Coco Palms will serve as the “west coast resort flagship” and join a series of Kimpton-branded resorts around the world, including properties in Thailand, Spain and the Caribbean.

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Two weeks after losing a pair of projected top pitchers for its 2025 team to the NCAA transfer portal, the University of Hawaii baseball team lost another impact arm to the portal on Thursday.

Brayden Marx, who developed into a late-inning option out of the bullpen for the Rainbow Warriors as a true freshman in 2024, has entered the portal. Marx finished his first collegiate season with a 4-0 record with 24 strikeouts in 17.1 innings with an ERA of 4.15.

Marx joins Harrison Bodendorf and Alex Giroux as pitchers who were projected to have major roles for the Rainbow Warriors in 2025 who will play college ball elsewhere next year.

Since the departures of Bodendorf and Giroux, the Rainbow Warriors have restocked their roster with a pair of junior college standouts in pitcher Hekili Robello and Taylor Takata, who both hail from the islands.

Robello, a Hilo alumnus, will transfer to UH from Santa Rosa Junior College. The right-handed pitcher has a fastball in the low-90s to go with a plus slider.

Takata, a shortstop from Orange Coast College, graduated high school from Kailua. He is expected to compete for a starting spot in the infield, particularly if incumbent starting shortstop Jordan Donahue is selected in July’s MLB Draft.

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is looking for new recruits.

The DCR is trying to fill nearly 400 vacant adult correction officer positions statewide and is launching a recruiting campaign.

“The campaign officially kicked off yesterday and our goal is to recruit qualified adult corrections officers for our correctional facilities statewide,” Director Tommy Johnson said. “When we are fully staffed, our facilities require about 1,500 adult corrections officers. Right now, we need approximately 400 officers to fill vacant positions. We encourage all those who are interested to go to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s website to apply.”

Johnson said their goal is for inmates to be reintegrated back into the community after serving time in their facilities.

“We believe everyone deserves a second chance. We’re looking for adult corrections officers who have a heart for people. They should have a genuine interest in helping others grow and change. We’ve transitioned to a rehabilitative model. Our adult corrections officers are mentors and coaches that still demand tough love. That’s why our campaign theme is: “Unlocking Potential.” Starting pay for adult corrections officers is slightly more than $60,000 a year.”

DCR believes that corrections officers play a critical role in the islands.

“These may be people who don’t believe there is another way forward for them,” Johnson said. “They may feel it is too hard to try to change. When we create a culture of care and support, we start to believe they can change and they start to see their lives in a new way. This is how we can begin to see real change and avoid people returning to prison, and creating a safer community for everyone.”

He is confident that they will be able to recruit enough adult corrections officers to fill vacancies.

“I’m pleased that those on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation team are really thinking outside the box and looking at different ways to recruit adult corrections officers. We are reaching them in theaters and on their phone. And we are onboarding them faster to get them into our facilities.”

If you’re interested in applying, you can go to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website and click on the employment tab at the top, and view the job description.