Coconut Grove

A few kilometers along road 56 north of Waialua, standing directly on the side of the road, is Coconut Grove one of the Hawaiian islands' largest plantations. The trees were planted in the 19th c. by a German immigrant, William Lindemann. He wanted to process the flesh of the coconut (the copra), which contains up to 65% fat, into oil and flakes. His project came to nothing, however.

The coconut trees remained and are today an attraction not only for tourists but also for film makers. Scenes from the films "South Pacific" and "Blue Hawaii" were shot here. A marriage chapel was even built here for a Rita Hayworth film, in which more that 2000 weddings have since taken place. This area is really beautiful and exudes that romantic aura expected of Hawaii but no longer found everywhere on the islands.

In the very middle of this area is Coco Palms Resort, for those tourists with sophisticated tastes. The Market Place at Coconut Plantation is dominated by an enormous shopping center where a local display, including a Hula Show, is performed.