There are a few companies manufacturing "Pop-up" receptacle outlets for coutertop applications, however I have not seen any listed for use as a substitute for permanent wiring. The ones I have seen are cord-and-plug connected below the counter-top and are listed as 'relocatable power taps'.
In this situation, I think the AHJ would make an allowance to use pop-ups.
I agree completely that this should be accomodated when the island is designed! It's easy to add blanks or wiring-friendly cabinets when you're building it; rather difficult to come back later and retrofit.
