
Legendary Kauai Icon Larry Rivera Passes Away at 92
Rivera performed at the famed Coco Palms Resort until it closed.
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Larry Rivera, a legendary fixture of Kauai, Hawaii whose career spanned over seven decades and who worked alongside Elvis Presley in 'Blue Hawaii' has passed away at the age of 92. Also known as "Mr. Coco Palms," Rivera was a key fixture of Kauai's entertainment culture where he started his career in the 50s and performed at the famed Coco Palms Resort until it closed.
Larry remained a mainstay of entertainment and was known throughout the Hawaiian Islands. In 1951, Rivera took a job as a waiter at a small lodge on Kauai's east shore. After being drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed on Oahu, he formed a music group and entered a talent contest with thirty other acts under the name "The Beach Boys," ten years before the Wilson brothers in California. The trio finished first, giving Rivera the confidence to chase his dream as an entertainer.
After his honorable discharge from the Army, Rivera returned to Kauai, and his job, to find it had been sold and renamed The Coco Palms Resort. Finding the second love of his life (the first being his beautiful wife, Gloria) with his passion for music, Rivera soon became part of the nightly entertainment at The Coco Palms Resort. Never missing a beat; writing, and performing his original music, Rivera was making a name for himself on several Hawaii radio stations and quickly became a local legend. He remained at The Coco Palms Resort until its closure in 1992 due to the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Iniki.
In 1953, Hollywood discovered the beauty of The Coco Palms Resort and came to the island of Kauai to film 'Miss Sadie Thompson,' starring Rita Hayworth and Jose Ferrer. Due to the beauty of the resort and its rising popularity as a popular Hawaiian destination, the Hollywood blockbuster, 'Blue Hawaii,' starring Elvis Presley began production in 1961. During production, Rivera met Presley on the set, and they became fast friends. Throughout the years and during several return trips to Kauai, Presley continued to support his friend and even joined Rivera on stage at their beloved resort.
After the closing of The Coco Palms Resort, Rivera continued to perform weddings on the same raft that Elvis' character, "Chadwick 'Chad' Gates" was married on, and entertained guests that were taking tours of the beloved grounds. He has earned many accolades and awards throughout his career including a Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award and was fondly revered as Kauai's "living legend of Hawaii music."
Rivera is survived by his wife, Gloria, six children, seventeen grandchildren, and countless fans from around the world who took comfort in his lyrics and humble personality. During every conversation and throughout his shows, Rivera always performed his popular single "Love And Aloha," using his music to spread kindness, hope, and the true Kauai spirit.
From This Author - Michael Major

March 23, 2023
This year’s honorees are Arianna Bocco, Danielle Brooks, Deborah Chow, Maria Hinojosa, Sandra Lee, Freida Pinto, Lauren Ridloff, Sharon Stone, and Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences President Janet Yang. David Yurman, America’s foremost luxury jewelry brand, has designed and provided this year’s Muse Award statues for honorees.

March 23, 2023
'Up Here,' the new musical series hailing from Steven Levenson (“tick, tick...BOOM!'), Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”), Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (“Frozen”), will premiere on Hulu this weekend. Ahead of the series premiere, check out what critics thought of Up Here now!

March 23, 2023
Find out where Lisa Vanderpump, Ariana Madix, James Kennedy, Katie Maloney, Lala Kent, Raquel Leviss, Scheana Shay, Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz will be seated for the highly-anticipated season 10 reunion for Vanderpump Rules. Check out the photo of the seating chart now!

March 23, 2023
Broadway favorites Jeremy Jordan and Casey Likes are hitting the big screen in the new film Spinning Gold. Watch an exclusive video clip from the film now, featuring Jordan as Neil Bogart, the found of Casablanca Records, and Likes as KISS bassist and singer Gene Simmons.

March 23, 2023
‘Stone Cold Killer’ is a gnarled roadhouse rocker written about guitarist Dan Taylor’s new kitten “that beautiful thing kills everything”, the humorous accompanying video portrays a retro crime caper as the band are hunted by the menacing feline felon. Watch the new music video and check out upcoming tour dates!