HONG
KONG, July 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Along
Hawai'i's Kona Coast awaits a captivating destination sought after
by voyagers for centuries. Officially open to guests as of
July 1, Kona Village, A Rosewood
Resort is privileged to call this sacred land of Kaʻūpūlehu home.
An inspired reimagination of the original Kona Village Resort,
which first opened in the 1960s and subsequently shuttered in 2011,
a familiar silhouette has returned to the island's horizon. Kennedy
Wilson, the innovative global real estate investment company
renowned for its commitment to responsible and sustainable
development in Hawaiʻi, took a light-on-the-land approach to
reconstructing the resort and has partnered with Rosewood Hotels
& Resorts® to build on that foundation, prioritizing
environmental responsibility and care for local culture in the
guest experience. Rosewood's guiding A Sense of Place®
philosophy will continue to drive the resort's focus on
honoring the elements that made the original island hideaway so
beloved, while deepening the property's connection to its cultural
legacy and key values.
Spanning 81 acres of stunning geologic landscape, Kona Village
pulls inspiration from Kaʻūpūlehu's heritage, culture, and natural
surroundings. In keeping with this ethos, and directly supporting
Kennedy Wilson's efforts to preserve and restore the local
environment, the resort is designed to uphold and honor the land's
centuries-long legacy of stewardship.
"Debuting Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort is a satisfying new
chapter for this treasured place that carries significance and
meaning for the community and for our team," said William McMorrow, Kennedy Wilson Chairman and
CEO. "We are grateful for the thousands of talented people who
contributed to the reawakening of Kona Village along this special
coastline and for the guidance of our many local stakeholders,
including our Cultural Leadership Committee whose contributions
furthered our efforts to care for this land through development. As
we move from the construction phase into operations, we have every
confidence that Rosewood will continue that focus while delivering
a top-tier resort experience."
"We are honored to join with Kennedy Wilson to serve as the
caretakers of this land that holds such significance to so many,"
said Radha Arora, President of
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. "We have focused on providing an
elevated experience that allows for guests to immerse themselves in
a culture of discovery. At Rosewood, we have always held a deep
reverence for the legacy properties around the globe that we have
been chosen to steward, and Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort is a
true representation of inherent hospitality and the understanding
that we are intimately intertwined with our natural surroundings,
as well as those who came before."
Respect for the Mana of the Land
Kaʻūpūlehu harbors mana – or special energy of power
and strength – that both commands respect and embraces those who
visit. The seven-year development of the resort proudly honored
this duty. Key to the Kennedy Wilson team's efforts was the
assembly of a cultural leadership committee, comprised of direct
lineal descendants of the land and other Hawai'i Island kūpuna who
have guided the project from its earliest days and ensured that the
land maintains its mana. Today, Kona Village, A Rosewood
Resort's dedicated cultural center pays tribute to Kaʻūpūlehu's
history, the sacred archeological sites it is home to, and many
more of Hawai'i's precious resources. Coupled with immersive
programming and activities, including specialty experiences curated
through the lens of Rosewood Explorers Keiki Club for kids, the
center launches guests on journeys through the destination's past,
present, and future.
Forging A More Sustainable Path Forward
The property's
construction was informed by Kennedy Wilson's guiding mission to be
as light on the land as possible. Demonstrating Kona Village's
commitment to sustainability, several of the key buildings on
property were designed according to LEED Gold Certification
standards, and 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. During construction,
efforts in support of these accolades included Kennedy Wilson's
work with Re-Use Hawaiʻi, a non-profit organization that recycles
and repurposes old building materials. The team also relied on
sustainably sourced timber and engineered wood, as well as
low-emitting paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants. Expansive
solar fields will allow the resort to be powered 100% by renewable
energy, lessening the impact on the environment and community
resources. Given the significance of water to Kaʻūpūlehu, the
property operates its own reverse osmosis and wastewater treatment
plants to have minimal effects on the destination's supply.
Architecture & Design Rooted in Local
Culture
Spearheaded by Hawaiʻi-raised architect,
Greg Warner of Walker Warner
Architects, and San
Francisco-based interior design firm, NICOLEHOLLIS, the
property has been designed to highlight the history of Hawaiʻi and
the Kona Coast specifically. The architecture subtly nods to the
original Kona Village Resort, with thoughtful changes made to
certain legacy elements that are no longer considered sustainable;
for example, the new thatched roofing is made from recycled
materials rather than traditional native leaves. The duty of
defending native plant and animal life was further supported by
VITA Planning & Landscape Architecture, who championed the
preservation of existing trees, plants, and naturally existing lava
features.
In addition to embodying Hawai'i's cultural heritage through
craftsmanship, the concept of 'ohana is channeled through
the property's layout, which centers the 150 guest hale, themselves
spread across several village-like crescents, around the resort's
shared spaces. Spanning one to four bedrooms, these
traditional Hawaiian structures offer the private comfort of a
refined beach bungalow and are yet another nod to the former days
of Kona Village.
Around the entire resort, a custom collection of art reflects
Hawai'i's layered identity. Commissioned by NICOLEHOLLIS, over 60
multimedia artists – the majority of whom are native Hawaiians or
residents – visited the land during the property's reimagination
for an immersion into its rich spirit and story. These contemporary
pieces are juxtaposed with original works curated by NICOLEHOLLIS.
The result is a one-of-a-kind exhibition of the arts wholly
inspired by the landscape, featuring pieces by several of the
island's most celebrated creators including Marques Marzan, Roen
Hufford, Kaili Chun, and
Pegge Hopper.
A Thoughtful Approach to Hawaiian Cuisine and
Cocktails
Focused on fresh, local ingredients, international
influences, and indigenous practices, Kona Village's array of
restaurants and bars add to Hawai'i's unique culinary landscape.
From Moana, the resort's signature restaurant featuring an
elevated, Pacific Rim-to-table
experience; to Kahuwai Cookhouse and Market, where traditional
Hawaiian cooking techniques are on display, the dining program has
been crafted as an extension of the destination experience. The
beverage outposts provide a convivial way to connect with the past,
and legacy guests will recognize the iconic Shipwreck and Talk
Story Bars which have been lovingly restored and occupy enviable
locations along the shoreline.
Connecting with Self and Surrounding
At the heart of
Kona Village, Kahuwai Bay is the launchpad for the resort's Kilo
Kai, or Ocean Pursuits program, which educates guests on the
power of the wai. This appreciation of the ocean is woven
through all water activities, with highlights including guided
paddle using the traditional Hawaiian canoe. Additional
recreational facilities include tennis, paddle, and bocce ball
courts as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center, while the
Hoʻokipa lawn and stage hosts Kona Village's lū'au – traditional
Hawaiian feasts that are now a way to celebrate life and its
milestone moments. Just beyond, built into the black lava flow with
views toward the Hualālai volcano, Asaya® Spa at Kona
Village, A Rosewood Resort offers a unique interpretation of
Rosewood's integrative wellness concept. With a menu of therapies
inspired by the spiritual quality and natural landscape of
Kaʻūpūlehu, Asaya Spa aims to connect guests with the resort's
location.
About Kennedy Wilson
Kennedy Wilson (NYSE:KW) is a leading global real estate investment
company. The company owns, operates, and invests in real estate
through the balance sheet and through an investment management
platform across the Western United
States, United Kingdom, and
Ireland. Kennedy Wilson primarily
focuses on multifamily and office properties as well as industrial
and debt investments in the investment management business. For
more information on Kennedy Wilson, please visit:
www.kennedywilson.com.
About Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts manages a global collection of 31
one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, resorts and residences in 18
countries. Each Rosewood property embraces the brand's A Sense of
Place® philosophy to reflect the individual location's history,
culture and sensibilities. The Rosewood collection includes some of
the world's most legendary hotels and resorts, including The
Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New
York, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas and Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
in Paris, as well as new classics
such as Rosewood Hong Kong and Rosewood São Paulo. For those who
wish to stay a little longer, Rosewood Residences offer a distinct
opportunity for the ownership or rental of properties co-located
with a Rosewood hotel or resort and of standalone for-sale
residences. Rosewood Residences are defined by the brand's
commitment to Enriched Living through thoughtful details and
experiences that enhance the quality of life while evoking a sense
of discovery and inspiration.
For more information, please
visit rosewoodhotels.com
Connect with us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
WeChat @RosewoodHotels
Media Contact:
Krista Ritterhoff
Nike Communications
Telephone: +1 914 374 1326
Email: kritterhoff@nikecomm.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/an-icon-reawakens-kona-village-a-rosewood-resort-honors-the-hawaiian-hideaways-legacy-with-authentic-connections-to-culture-and-place-301869803.html
SOURCE Rosewood Hotels & Resorts