By the Grace of Guslander, page 3

Editor’s note: This is Part 3 of the three-part history of Grace Guslander, former manager of the Coco Palms Hotel. Part 2 talked about Grace’s “Call to Feast” torch-lighting ceremony and her subtle interior decorating.

In addition to frogs, conch shells and coconut trees adorning various areas of the property, Grace imported giant clam shells from the South Pacific and installed them as bathroom sinks.

In 1978 she hired an artist to paint a huge wall mural of Deborah Kapule and a portrait of King Kaumuali‘i, which was hung in one of the dining rooms at Coco Palms. This portrait is, as yet, the best likeness of the king.

In recognition of Grace’s respect for Hawaiian tradition and culture, composer and hula master, the late kupuna Sarah Kailikea of Nawiliwili wrote a Hawaiian chant just for her.

And legendary Kaua‘i entertainer Larry Rivera, who knew Grace as a second mother and performed at Coco Palms for over 40 years, once said that she was the most Hawaiian person he ever knew.

She personified the “Aloha Spirit.”

Elvis Presley made the hotel world-famous in 1961 when he starred in the popular movie “Blue Hawaii,” which was filmed partly on the grounds at Coco Palms.

In the film, Elvis sang the beautiful “The Hawaiian Wedding Song” to actress Joan Blackman while they rode in a double-hulled canoe upon the Coco Palms lagoon.

Elvis re-enacted this colorful wedding scene and renewed his wedding vows with his new wife, Priscilla Presley, when he returned to Coco Palms after their marriage in Las Vegas in 1967.

Throughout the years, thousands of couples have exchanged wedding vows at the Coco Palms Wedding Chapel.

Grace Buscher Guslander, who managed Coco Palms until 1985 and is still fondly remembered by all who knew her, passed away at her home in Wailua on April 5, 2000. She was 89.