Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced a partnership with Kauai’s landmark Coco Palms Resort, establishing the first location in Hawaii for IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio. Following a historically sensitive restoration of the property, Coco Palms, A Kimpton Resort, will become an inspiring tropical retreat for travelers and the Kauai community. The transformed resort is anticipated to open in 2026.
Located amidst the valley of Wailua along its shoreline, Coco Palms is owned by Reef Capital Partners and will be operated by Highgate. The resort was known as a destination during the golden era of Hollywood, with guests such as Elvis Presley, Rita Hayworth, and Gene Autry. Its restoration is being guided by Native Hawaiian advisors within the local community to ensure guests are welcomed with a cultural experience. The restored landmark will be comprised of 350 accommodations spread across three low-rise hotel structures as well as cottages.
Complementing the stay experience will be amenities designed for travelers. With access to the resort’s 15-acre coconut grove, guests can enjoy meditation and movie nights to wedding ceremonies and more. Those seeking a moment of calm can visit the onsite spa or one of the resort’s three outdoor swimming pools. Restaurant and bar concepts will include a rooftop bar, a pool bar, and a restored shoreline restaurant. In addition, guests can participate in the evening torch-lighting ceremony. As with all Kimptons, the resort will also have Kimpton Kickstart morning coffee and tea service, Kimpton Social every evening, a “Forgot It? We’ve Got It!” program, in-room yoga mats, and pet-friendly policies.
Leanne Harwood, senior vice president, managing director for Luxury & Lifestyle Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are incredibly excited to establish our luxury and lifestyle presence in Hawaii with Coco Palms, A Kimpton Resort. Hawaii beckons travelers seeking both relaxation and discovery, and 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. We’re pleased to partner with Reef Capital Partners, who is committed to being responsible stewards of this historic landmark.”
In 1992, Hurricane ‘Iniki struck Kauai and caused damage to the property, which has remained untouched and in a state of neglect until now. Beyond preserving the historical and cultural integrity of the land, Coco Palms will also have an onsite cultural center and museum honoring Kauai. As host to exhibits, lectures, and activities of cultural significance, it will serve to educate both visitors and residents alike of the surrounding area’s native culture, history, and artistic community.
Jon Day, chief financial officer at Reef Capital Partners, expanded, “It’s a true privilege to bring the first Kimpton resort to Hawaii. IHG shares our belief that the history and culture of this site, especially the pre-contact history, is what distinguishes Coco Palms from other properties and makes it such a magical place. They’re just as committed as we are to preserving its legacy and sharing it with the world. I can think of no better brand to fulfill this vision.”
With its rainforests and deep valleys, Kauai is often referred to as the “Garden Isle.” The 20-mile-long Wailua River, adjacent to Coco Palms, flows past tropical forests and waterfalls. Guests can journey by boat to the serene Fern Grotto, a geological wonder formed millions of years ago that features a natural lava rock cavern. Visitors can also enjoy the nearby beaches, hiking trails, waterfalls, helicopter sightseeing, scuba lessons, snorkeling, boating and fishing excursions, and more. Additionally, guests to the resort will appreciate its proximity to Lihue Airport, just five miles away.
When it opens, Coco Palms will represent the West Coast resort flagship for Kimpton in the Americas. It will join the brand’s growing resort offering globally, which includes boutique locations such as Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman, Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort & Spa in Honduras’ Bay Islands, Kimpton Mas Olas Resort & Spa, and Kimpton Aluna Tulum in Mexico, Kimpton Aysla Mallorca in Spain as well as Kimpton Kitalay Samui in Thailand, amongst others.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Oahu residents aren’t taking any chances with emergency preparedness ahead of the latest round of severe weather.
City Mill has been working to keep shelves stocked with supplies.
“We’ve been selling a lot of sand and sandbags. We have a product called Quick Dam, and we have sold out at a couple stores. We’re trying to move them around so that everybody has something,” City Mill Merchant Iris Wilhelm-Norseth said.
Tape, batteries and flashlights have also been moving quickly among customers, along with pumps and rain boots.
City Mill and other officials are stressing emergency preparedness as recent storms have shown flooding can happen anywhere at any time.
“The little flash flood in Manoa kind of flipped people out too. That came out of nowhere. So people are very concerned,” she added.
Hawaiian Electric said it is also ready, following emergency preparedness procedures to ensure communities aren’t left without power for prolonged periods.
“It doesn’t take a named storm to really cause significant damage to the public infrastructure, whether it’s roads or other types of infrastructure, or the electrical, grid. We know that these heavy rains and very strong winds can have significant impacts,” HECO spokesperson Darren Pai said.
If the Public Safety Power Shutoff program is implemented, the utility said it would be a coordinated decision with emergency responders in the interest of keeping communities safe.
The Board of Water Supply is also asking customers to store water in case service is interrupted for an extended time.
And for storm supplies that don’t get put to use this time around, officials say not to toss them too quickly.
“This is also a great opportunity for people if they don’t use it to hold on to it because we are going into hurricane season starting in May again,” Wilhelm-Norseth added.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Anyone who’s grown up in the Islands has either given, received or marveled at a piece of Hawaiian heirloom jewelry, the highly ornate, hand-engraved bracelets and pendants emblazoned with Hawaiian names or initials in an Old English-style font.
But where did this jewelry and its unique style come from?
Turns out the first Hawaiian bracelet was made in 1862 for the young Lydia Park, who later became Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The bracelet, which is now at ʻIolani Palace on Oʻahu, is inscribed with the words, “Hoomanao Mau,” which translates to “a lasting remembrance.” It was handcrafted by Honolulu-based jeweler Christian Eckart and emulated English Victorian designs popular at the time.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Since then, the Hawaiian bracelet has evolved to include tropical flower designs, raised lettering and scalloped edges. Today—more than a century and a half later—Hawaiian heirloom jewelry is still a symbol of love and friendship.
This story was originally published in our SPRING 2023 Issue. Buy a copy here. Better yet, subscribe and get HAWAIʻI Magazine delivered to right to your mailbox.
Catherine Toth Fox is the former editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine and continues to contribute to the website and print publication.
A 35-year-old man was taken to a hospital in serious condition early this morning after an apparent stabbing on Waterhouse Street in Kalihi, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.
At about 2 a.m. today, EMS crews co-responded to the incident and treated the man for multiple injuries, including at least one to his upper body. He was transported to an emergency room for further care.
No other details were immediately available.
1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say
South Carolina vs TCU predictions for Elite Eight game in March Madness
Vaazha 2 first half review: Hashir anchors a lively, chaos-filled teen tale
Skier dies after fall at Sugarbush Resort
Trump’s Ballroom Design Has Barely Been Scrutinized
JD Vance says he was ‘obsessed’ with UFOs, believes aliens are actually ‘demons’
Inside Ye’s first comeback show at SoFi Stadium
Jeffries declines to break with indicted Democrat after ethics panel’s guilty verdict
