Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has officially opened the doors of Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort. Set along the shores of Kahuwai Bay on Hawaiʻi’s Kona Coast, the resort is a reimagination of the original Kona Village Resort, which first emerged in the 1960s and subsequently shuttered in 2011.
Developed in partnership with global investment company Kennedy Wilson, the resort spans 81 acres of natural landscape, drawing inspiration from Kaʻūpūlehu’s heritage and culture. Completed following seven years of development, the resort has been supported by a cultural leadership committee comprised of direct lineal descendants of the land and other Hawaiʻi Island kūpuna, who have guided the project from its earliest days.
The property’s construction was informed by Kennedy Wilson’s guiding mission to be light on the land – a process which included installing underground infrastructure in a way that kept most of the lava ground intact. With a concern placed on preserving culture as well as land, the resort’s dedicated cultural centre pays tribute to Kona Village’s sacred archeological sites and anchialine pools, and provides valuable insight into how to preserve and support them.
Local inspiration
Spearheaded by Hawaiʻi-raised architect Greg Warner of Walker Warner Architects, and San Francisco-based interior design firm NicoleHollis, the property has been designed with consideration of the layered history of both Hawaiʻi Island and the Kona Coast in mind. For instance, with thatched roofing a beloved element of Kona Village’s previous iteration, new thatching has been used in the new opening, made from recycled materials rather than traditional native leaves.
Elsewhere on the site, Vita Planning & Landscape Architecture have championed the preservation of existing tree plants and natural lava features. The team’s incorporation of vibrant flora and indigenous greenery also works to celebrate the natural and diverse Kona Coast landscape.
In addition to embodying Hawaiʻi’s cultural heritage through craftsmanship, the concept of ‘ohana’ is channeled through the resort’s layout, which centres guest accommodations around shared spaces. Dining, wellness and recreational facilities are positioned directly against the waters of Kahuwai Bay, resulting in a convivial hub of activity that brings guests together and draws their focus to the rhythms of the land and ocean, similar to how life was lived in the village’s past.
Across the resort, 150 guest hale spread across several village-like crescents – traditional Hawaiian structures which offer privacy and comfort. In guestrooms, muted tones find home alongside natural materials like wood and stone, while many of the accomodations feature a private lanai.
In the hale, and around the entire resort, a custom collection of art reflects Hawaiʻi’s layered identity. Commissioned by NicoleHollis, over 60 multimedia artists – the majority of whom are native Hawaiians or residents today – visited the land during the property’s reimagination for an immersion into its spirit and story.
Sustainable design
Several of the site’s buildings have been designed according to LEED Gold Certification standards, while the resort is also pursuing TRUE and SITES certifications. If achieved, Kona Village will be the first resort in the world with all three distinctions.
Through construction, the team relied on sustainably-sourced timber and engineered wood, as well as low-emitting paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants. The resort itself will be entirely powered by solar energy – a first for Hawaiʻi.
Given the significance of water to Kaʻūpūlehu, the property operates its own reverse osmosis and wastewater treatment plants, aiming to have minimal effects on the destination’s supply. Kona Village has also committed to a zero-waste program, with the goal of ensuring that as much waste as possible can be diverted from the island’s only landfill.
Additional amenities
Rooted in a focus on local ingredients, international influences and indigenous practices, Kona Village’s array of restaurants and bars serve to both elucidate and enhance Hawaiʻi’s culinary landscape. Moana, the resort’s signature restaurant, offers a Pacific Rim-to-table experience, while Kahuwai Cookhouse and Market displays traditional Hawaiian cooking techniques. Once the schooner of the resort’s original owner Johnno Jackson, Shipwreck Bar has also been restored, still residing on its original foundation on the beach.
As part of Rosewood’s Partners in Provenance program, the resort brings together a range of local culinary talents, including from Kona Sea Salt, Blue Ocean Mariculture, Hawaiian Vanilla Co, Pacific Coffee Research and Wai Meli Honey.
With wellness in mind, Asaya® Spa at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort has been built into the black lava flow with views of the Hualālai volcano, offering a menu of treatments and therapies which aims to connect guests with the resort’s location. Elsewhere, additional recreational features include two pools, a fitness centre and tennis, paddle and bocce ball courts.
CREDITS
Photography: Courtesy of Douglas Friedman
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