Poʻipū hospitality entrepreneurs Kirk and Paula Coult say restoring meaningful places is about protecting local history while creating spaces where new memories can be made.

KOLOA, HI / ACCESS Newswire / July 10, 2026 / Historic buildings often tell the story of a community, but Kirk and Paula Coult believe their future depends on more than preservation alone. The hospitality entrepreneurs behind Kiahuna Sunrise Cafe are encouraging property owners, business leaders, and residents to consider how restoring historic gathering places can strengthen communities while honouring their past.

The couple recently transformed the former Plantation Gardens building at Kiahuna Plantation, which had remained closed since 2020, into Kiahuna Sunrise Cafe. While the project created a new breakfast destination, Kirk and Paula say its greatest value lies in giving a familiar place a new purpose.

"We weren't looking to erase the building's history," said Kirk Coult. "We wanted to give it a new chapter while respecting everything that made it special in the first place."

Across the United States, historic buildings continue to disappear through neglect or demolition. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, construction and demolition activities generate more than 600 million tons of debris each year, highlighting the environmental benefits of restoring and reusing existing buildings instead of replacing them. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has also long promoted adaptive reuse as a way to preserve local character while supporting sustainable economic development.

For Kirk and Paula, those benefits extend beyond architecture.

"People often remember how a place made them feel as much as they remember what they ate," Coult said. "Restaurants become part of people's lives. They become the setting for family traditions, celebrations, holidays, and everyday moments that people carry with them."

After opening seven restaurants across Colorado, Whistler, and Kauaʻi, the Coults have seen firsthand how hospitality businesses can become woven into the identity of a neighbourhood.

Rather than recreating the past, they believe restoration should focus on making historic spaces relevant for the future.

"Buildings only remain meaningful when they're used," Coult said. "Every conversation, every shared meal, and every new memory helps keep a place alive."

Historic preservation has become an increasingly important issue as communities across the country work to balance growth with protecting cultural landmarks. Adaptive reuse projects not only preserve architectural heritage but also reduce waste, encourage local investment, and allow historic spaces to continue serving future generations.

Kirk and Paula hope their experience encourages others to look beyond the cost of restoring older properties and recognise the lasting value they can provide.

"Every community has places that matter to people," Coult said. "When we invest in those places, we're not only preserving buildings. We're making sure they continue to serve the people who care about them."

The couple encourages individuals to support historic buildings in their own communities by visiting locally owned businesses, learning about the history of neighbourhood landmarks, participating in preservation efforts, and choosing restoration over replacement whenever practical. Small actions, they believe, help ensure that meaningful places remain part of community life for years to come.

About Kiahuna Sunrise Cafe

Kiahuna Sunrise Cafe is a breakfast, brunch, and coffee destination located within the historic Kiahuna Plantation in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi. Owned by hospitality entrepreneurs Kirk and Paula Coult, the café serves fresh breakfast favourites, island-inspired dishes, locally roasted coffee, and artisan pastries in a relaxed lanai setting overlooking tropical gardens and koi ponds. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kiahuna Sunrise Cafe is committed to creating memorable guest experiences while honouring the history and character of one of Kauaʻi's most iconic locations.

Media Contact

Kiahuna Sunrise Cafe
kiahunasunrisecafe@gmail.com

SOURCE: Kiahuna Sunrise Cafe