The Coco Palms became a world famous visitor destination known for it's unique coconut grove, across of the beautiful beach of Wailua Bay and was a haven for Hollywood filmmakers looking for romantic and beautiful scenes of the South Pacific.  A tribute to the former Coco Palms Hotel Manager, the late Grace Buscher Guslander, for her vision and for being an industry leader in defining the image of a Polynesian resort surrounded by ancient fishponds, lagoons, wedding chapel, zoo, a private dining room adorned with Hawaiian decor, and a collection of Hawaiian artifacts.  As a young women Grace came to Hawai'i from Pennsylvania, worked in Waikiki, met the Manager of the Moana Hotel Lyle Guslander, who not only got her to operate the 24-room CoCo Palms Hotel, but after the hotel chain was sold in 1969, they got married and Grace continued to manage the resort.  Grace's achievements to the visitor industry were exceptional as she was named the "Outstanding Hotel Manager of the Year" as well as being named the first woman to attain the title "Man of the Year" at New York City's International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant show in 1979.  Grace perpetuated a deep appreciation and respect from her employees as she embraced them and their families like her 'ohana on special occasions with personalized gifts. The Coco Palms Hotel was the first hotel to initiate nightly torch lighting ceremonies, and the lounge was a popular place to find both local and famous entertainers serenading. Kaua'i will remember the Coco Palms Hotel as one of it's most precious gems. 

 

Coco Palms remains closed today, but there are hopes that it will one day reopen to capture and restore some of the wonderful memories that have touched many visitors and residents, and continue it's iconic presence established by the late Grace Buscher Guslander.