OUTFITTING A BESPOKE ISLAND OASIS

The reinvigorated Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, is a black sand beachfront icon where the built environment is curated to immerse guests in its sense of place.

Projects
KONA VILLAGE, A ROSEWOOD RESORT

HAWAIʻI ISLAND, UNITED STATES

KONA VILLAGE, A ROSEWOOD RESORT

For decades, travelers have prized Kona Village for its idyllic setting along the jagged lava cliffs and pristine blue waters that define Hawaiʻi Island’s Kona Coast.

Its free-standing bungalows, or hale (traditional Hawaiian housing structures), offered guests a respite from modern life that resembled vintage island living, however, were washed away by a tsunami in 2011. Now, from reinvestment in the property emerges a modern icon that reimagines its beloved origins while achieving an elusive balance of luxury and nature.

At a glance

Client

Kennedy Wilson
Services

Project Analysis & Reporting, Project Schedule Management
sector

Hotels & Leisure
Location

Hawaiʻi Island, United States

Intricacies in Design and Project Delivery

The 81-acre property is adorned with 150 individual thatched-roof hale that have been reconstructed as standalone res- idences ranging from one- to four-bedroom suites. Both the building exteriors and interior design intertwine seamlessly with their natural surroundings, availing of sustainably sourced woods, woven textures and neutral tones that mimic lava, sand and waves. While minimalist on one hand, the tranquil elegance of the resort can be attributed to the custom furnishings that are unique to each hale. No two rooms or furnishings are alike ensuring every guest enjoys a sense of opulence and exclusivity during their stay. This distinctive approach added a layer of intricacy to the resort’s renovation, making it a truly exceptional project.

We take great pride in our involvement in this once-in-a-lifetime project. It underscores the immense value of RLB’s strengths in the hospitality sector and ability to provide innovative solutions for our clients. The successful completion of installation activities on the project’s dynamic timeline was a testament to the level of collaboration across our global practice and the unwavering commitment of our dedicated Hawaiʻi team.

Erin Kirihara, Executive Vice President, RLB

Certainty Through Strength of Our Global Capability

Often, when projects involve production and installation of substantial furniture, fixture and equipment (FF&E) packages, RLB travels to manufacturing sites around the world to ensure products meet our clients’ quality standards and validate that production is happening in a timely and ethical manner. However, with international travel restrictions in place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hawaiʻi-based team leaned on our global network that spans more than 40 countries to conduct factory visits on behalf of the resort developer.

By leveraging our global network, RLB ensured quality and schedule were met for production of the custom- made goods that lend to the resort’s exquisite character.

150

individually furnished guest suites
2,400

unique item specifications
20

countries from where goods were sourced, spanning all habitable continents

A Strategic Partner in Planning and Execution

Leading up to production, RLB’s was a key partner in developing the FF&E procurement strategy, which showcased our specialty expertise in crafting comprehensive buyout and logistics plans that consider the entire lifecycle of goods. Leveraging our deep understanding of supply chain networks, we negotiated favorable positions for our client when contracting with warehousing, delivery and installation vendors.

Then, with more than 140 shipping containers of furniture delivered onsite, the RLB team orchestrated installation efforts, diligently managed the schedule and upheld quality standards across the expansive 81-acre property, steering all parties in a sprint to the project’s triumphant completion.

Immersion in Nature and Conscious Luxury

The interior design harmoniously blends modern allure with raw elements, showcasing the connection to the land that envelopes Kona Village. Each guest suite embodies organic and sustainable elements, such as the impressive walls and ceilings constructed of responsibly sourced timber, and custom- made stone fixtures that emulate cooled lava rock. Its operations are powered exclusively by solar energy, while native plants, ponds and a non-potable water system reduce the resort’s water footprint and nurture the island’s biodiversity.