Kona Village, which has been shuttered since 2011 when a devastating earthquake-generated tsunami sent waves surging across the Pacific, is finally on track to reopen.
Rosewood Hotels &Resorts announced Wednesday that global real estate investment company Kennedy Wilson has appointed it to manage Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, which is slated to open in 2022. The appointment represents the first foray into Hawaii for Rosewood Hotels &Resorts, which manages 24 luxury properties in 15 countries, with 23 new hotels under development.
The announcement drew a “hooray” on the Save Our Kona Village Facebook page, which was started by fans of the property, who have been waiting years for its reconstruction. The site has nearly 8,000 likes and nearly 8,000 followers — many of whom regularly reminisce about honeymoons and other vacations that they have spent at Kona Village.
Bill McMorrow, chairman and CEO of Kennedy Wilson, said in a statement, “We have a long history of investing in Hawaii and we are humbled to be the next steward of Kona Village. Rosewood Hotels &Resorts shares our vision for creating a resort that honors the history of the region. In coordination with our talented team of designers, architects, and now with Rosewood on board, we are on track to deliver a world-class experience in a tremendously special location.”
The new Kona Village will offer 150 stand-alone guest hales reminiscent of the original property’s retro Hawaiiana style. The circa-1960s property was known for its unplugged Polynesian-style, thatched-hut hales that had no door locks or telephones, TV or Wi-Fi. Celebrities often arrived by private plane to vacation at Kona Village because it was the antithesis of the concrete-and-marble mega-resorts that more commonly dot Hawaii’s hotel landscapes.
The redevelopment, spearheaded by Greg Warner of Walker Warner Architects and VITA Planning &Landscape Architecture, will focus on sustainable practices and indigenous materials. They’ve engaged the nonprofit Re-use Hawai‘i to deconstruct deteriorated buildings and salvage up to 80 percent of the materials for reuse and recycling.
There will be dining venues, including the original resort’s Shipwreck Bar and Talk Story Bar. Other planned amenities include a spa, fitness center and multiple swimming pools and tennis courts. A cultural center and outdoor recreational program are in the mix to preserve and highlight the heritage of the Kona Coast.
Rosewood Hotel Group CEO Sonia Cheng said in a statement, “Kona Village’s illustrious history and vibrant culture provide the perfect backdrop for Rosewood’s first property in the Hawaiian Islands. This is a defining development, not only for Rosewood Hotels &Resorts, but also for Hawaii, and we are grateful to Kennedy Wilson for allowing us to be a part of it.”
