What can I use as a substitute for grated coconut in heavy syrup?
Typically when things are "canned in syrup" it's cane sugar and water. 

I'd guess soak dried coconut in water (or coconut water) to rehydrate it; drain &amp; save excess water, add twice as much sugar (volume or weight as you like, close enough to the same) as water, heat to dissolve, add coconut back to it, stir - should be close-ish.