Hawaii’s Historic Kona Village resurected as a Rosewood Resort

 

8 years after a tsunami wiped out much of the Kona Village Resort, the resort located on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawai’i is set to reopen in 2022 as a Rosewood luxury hotel property. Kona Village’s history and culture provide the perfect backdrop for Rosewood’s first property in the Hawaiian Islands.

“Back in 2011, the hotel closed after sustaining damage from tsunami waves from an earthquake in Japan. The 81-acre property was reportedly destroyed causing 200 employees to lose their jobs,” wrote hawaiinewsnow.

Real estate investment company Kennedy Wilson has appointed ultra-luxury hotel group Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to manage Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, which is set to open after a complete renovation. In keeping with Kona Village’s commitment to preserve its surrounding environment, the development team has engaged Re-use Hawai’i, a local non-profit, to deconstruct deteriorated buildings by hand and salvage up to 80% of the materials for reuse and recycling, minimizing the volume of landfill waste and the need to grow, harvest, produce and transport new material on island.

Conceptualized and developed by explorer Johnno Jackson in the early 1960s, the original Kona Village Resort was best known for its free-standing, palm thatch roof hales and tranquil location. However, the history of the Kona Coast dates back long before it became a one-of-a-kind vacation destination. Inhabited nearly 1,000 years ago, the site was once home to migrating settlers from Polynesia. Navigators and sailors by nature, the village became a place of trade and commerce due to easy access by the coast. Memories of the destination’s renowned deep-sea fisherman are immortalized in the petroglyphs that can be found in and around the boundaries of Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort today.

Located less than 10 miles north of the Kona International Airport, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, will debut 150 unique, standalone guest hales with locally-inspired décor, spectacular views and a privileged sense of seclusion. Spearheaded by Hawai’i-raised architect, Greg Warner of Walker Warner Architects, each accommodation will offer a private lānai and outdoor shower.

An array of distinct dining venues, including the original resort’s beloved Shipwreck Bar and Talk Story Bar, will offer elevated yet relaxed food and beverage experiences. Guests will have access to new leisure facilities including Sense, A Rosewood Spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, as well as multiple pools and tennis courts. A diverse outdoor recreational program will include ocean sports and activities designed to inform, inspire and excite travelers of all ages.

Devoted to preserving the heritage of the destination, the resort will feature a cultural center that will grant both locals and visitors access to extensive Hawaiian lineage, providing a link between the resort and its surroundings.