A Reunion with Kona Village.
One of my favorite places on earth.
It was the late 1970s when I first stepped into the Kona Village on the Big Island of Hawaii. Long before it was A Rosewood Resort, I was mesmerized by the natural beauty of the place—the deep blue water, the wild bougainvillea, the dramatic landscape—to the point I considered it one of my favorite places on earth.
Now, having circumnavigated the globe, I can still say that Kona Village has a special place in my heart, not because of what it was, but more so because of what it has become. From the Polynesian settlers who found the sacred land of Kahuwai Bay, to Johnno Jackson who landed on the abandoned village in 1965, Kona Village has a rich history built on lofty dreams and an unwavering spirit.
Where it’s okay to walk barefoot and be rich.
I’ll never forget those fledgling years when the property unveiled a new wave of traditions. Johnno knew a good thing when he saw it, boldly building a resort on lava rock while retaining the integrity of its surroundings. There were no paved roads, no TV, and no phones—adding to the allure of seclusion for the elite. Suddenly this “off-grid” paradise became a favorite for the international jet set and Silicon Valley bigwigs. Many would come by private plane or yacht, embracing the island’s energy and “old Hawaii” style where it was okay to walk barefoot and be rich.
It was during those years, while studying Travel Management and Tourism in Hawaii, that I fell in love with Kona Village. For the next five decades, it would welcome guests from around the world, never losing its beating heart. Guests would always return, eager to rejoin traditions and reconnect with staff who now felt like ‘ohana (family).
Then, in March of 2011, an earthquake in Japan triggered a tsunami across the Pacific Ocean that wiped out Kona Village. For over a decade, the land sat in a deep stillness, not unlike the century before, waiting for another chance to share its rainbow of hope.
Fast forward to 2023, when Kona Village was able to show her colors once again, this time as A Rosewood Resort. Rumor had it that my “favorite place on earth” was back and brimming with bountiful energy. I had been dreaming of stepping onto the sacred soil after all those years.
When my schedule aligned, I told my wife Rory that we just had to go, so much so, that I was even willing to fly Economy class to get there.
“To forfeit First Class, you must really want to take this trip,” she joked.
And so, away we went to paradise for four nights, five days. I was dying to see what an $800 million dollar property investment could do to restore Kona Village. From the moment I entered the gates, I felt like 1,000 pounds had been lifted off my shoulders. It was as if the resort had a magical power to remove the undercurrent of stress in my life. The privacy, seclusion, and anticipated service were like nothing I had ever experienced, to the point I could literally not find one thing wrong with the resort.
Understandably so. With just 150 freestanding hales (bungalows), guests can fall asleep to the rustle of thatched roofs or the rhythm of the waves. If views of gardens, lagoons, mountains, and ocean aren’t enough, well, you’ll also find interiors created by award-winning designer Nicole Hollis. She successfully faded the line between indoors and out with natural materials, custom-made furnishings, and private lanais.
While retaining the original “old Hawaii” footprint, there was a sense of Robinson Crusoe-meets-luxury in every detail. Set amidst 81 acres of shoreline, the resort has been sustainably renovated from the ground up, with a thoughtful approach that honors the original Kona Village. From exteriors inspired by coconut tree husks to basalt rock furnishings, every element feels organic and rooted in nature.
But it wasn’t just about “showing” respect for the land; It was about living out ethical standards through a microgrid reliant on solar power with a zero-waste commitment. As a leader in green hospitality, Kona Village was now emerging from a decade of stillness, to unveil this long-awaited new chapter of experiences.
Gone were traditional “hotel” hallways, elevators, carts, and chaos. In their place was flawless perfection. I’m not a picky guy, but I have a discerning eye when it comes to hotels, and this one was a 12 out of 10.
This level of utopia doesn’t come cheap, however.
Every price was eyebrow-arching, especially the rooms starting at $1,700 a night. Meals averaged $300 and drinks were $25 each. Yet, (hear me out), the value is there, so much so that I plan on returning to Kona Village every year.
Why?
Because I value privacy and hassle-free vacations. When I go somewhere, I want to feel like royalty yet I want to be left alone. I don’t want to wait in lines, taste mediocre food, or hear screaming children. I want to have spa treatments that put me to sleep and enjoy dinners that make me close my eyes in amazement. I want to have options to maybe hike, play tennis, snorkel, star gaze, kayak, hit the gym, or go on a sunset cruise . . . and if I choose not to do any of those activities, that’s okay.
At Kona Village, it’s not about “doing” as much as it is about “being.”
On Kahuwai Bay, life stands still. It’s a place to be present in the moment and reset life’s priorities. For Rory and me, it was our chance to reconnect, rest, and restore our souls. It was like going “home” within ourselves, where we could feel the integrity of the land, walk on greener pathways, and above all, get lost in the rainbow of a prolific story.
