Kona Village Resort

Location
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Year
2017-2023

Size
81 acres

The iconic Kona Village Resort has been brought back to life following its 2011 closure. Embracing the culture of early Hawaii, the rebuilding focuses on conservation, sustainability and a casual ‘sense of place’. One feels marooned by choice amongst the individual guest room buildings, the natural landscape of lava, lush vegetation, and ponds spread across 81-acres alongside the beauty of Kahuwai bay.

Respecting the native Hawaiian’s traditional knowledge of sustainability as a lived practice, Kona Village Resort boasts three LEED Gold certifications for the iconic Moana Restaurant, Spa and Employee Village. The design raised the standards to address energy efficiency, water conservation and performance for green building design, construction, operations and performance. The rich cultural heritage of “Malama ‘Aina” – caring for and honoring the land was integrated throughout the development.

All of the landscape utilizes reclaimed wastewater and an onsite system of filtered well water for water conservation. A photovoltaic system provides 100% renewable energy. The stored energy will be utilized during peak demand and reduce the stress on the Hawaii Island grid.

The resort is also pursuing TRUE and SITES certifications which will make the resort the first in the world with all three distinctions.

Delawie served as Architect of Record.
Design by Walker Warner. Interior Design by NICOLEHOLLIS.

Awards
Architectural Digest | 2023 Great Design Awards
43rd Gold Key Awards Excellence in Hospitality Design
NAIOP Hawaii | Green Building Award
NAIOP Hawaii | New Project Award | Commercial/Other Over 40,000 SF
Architizer A+ | Special Mention: Sustainable Hospitality
16th Edition Rethinking The Future Awards 2024 | Sustainable Project of the Year (Built)
TRAVEL + LEISURE | No. 1 Resort Hotel in Hawai’i, 2024 World’s Best Awards
CONDE NAST TRAVELER | Hot List, 2024
TRAVEL + LEISURE | It List, 2024
AFAR | Best New Hotels 2024
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC | Best of the World 2024
AHEAD | Hotel of the Year, 2024