NEWS RELEASE
The resort launches its inaugural festive programming centered around the celebration of togetherness and family tradition
November 01, 2023
Visits to the original Kona Village Resort have left a mark on the hearts of many. Now, reborn as Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, this beloved haven for families set on the picturesque shores of Kahuwai Bay is poised to continue its legacy with a host of vibrant programming and events for the holiday season. With the goal of honoring the resort’s return guests, while also extending a welcoming invitation to newcomers, the property will provide activities that pay homage to its breathtaking surroundings and foster a sense of togetherness. With festivities commencing in November, Kona Village encourages guests to embrace the spirit of 'ohana (family) through an enticing menu of experiences tailored for visitors of all ages.
At Kona Village, the team’s abundant warmth of local ho'okipa (the hospitality of complete giving) makes arriving guests feel like they are already part of the resort’s 'ohana. With 150 guest hale the property can accommodate intimate groups of three to larger groups of twelve. Kona Village’s very layout is set up to foster connection, with certain sections of hales set in crescent formations for families and friends to have a special enclave for gathering. With such a diverse array of offerings, the property is the perfect setting for families and friends to come together on the Big Island this holiday season.
| “When you think of Kona Village you think of families reuniting, forging new friendships, and that innate feeling of warmth that encapsulates the spirit of the holidays,” says Sandra Estornell, Managing Director of Kona Village. “For our inaugural festive season, we have crafted thoughtful programming that shines a spotlight on the unique charm of our village, and we're eagerly anticipating the joy of sharing the enchantment of the resort with our community.” |
A Thanksgiving Rooted in Togetherness
Over the Thanksgiving holiday week, mornings at the property will start with a canoe paddle on the peaceful waters of Kahuwai Bay. As the resort’s programming unfolds, guests will be delighted with a wide variety of activities ranging from wellness pursuits to immersive cultural experiences. The property will host a series of experiences that are reimagined interpretations of offerings from the original resort, providing families opportunities to embark on a learning adventure of Hawaiian culture, including classes dedicated to teaching the Hawaiian language, hula, ukulele, hū (Hawaiian top) making, and lei-making.
Fitness enthusiasts will find a wealth of options, including a bocce ball tournament, tennis tournament, cornhole tournament, powerwalk fitness class, Kona Beach Fit class, and yoga on the lawn. Culinary aficionados can indulge their palates in a variety of experiences, from beer tastings at the Talk Story Bar to hands-on cooking classes at Moana. For those with a penchant for spirits, there will be a rum-tasting and mixology class that promises to elevate the art of cocktail crafting. Additionally, guests can savor the daily delights of coconuts and shave ice.
The week will lead up to two Thanksgiving Day feasts at Kahuwai Cookhouse and Moana, the resort’s signature Pacific Rim-to-table restaurant. These feasts will bring guests together for a celebratory night centered around family and community, where they can “talk story” and reminisce over memories both new and old. At Kahuwai Cookhouse, guests will be served family-style dishes such as Pumpkin Hummus and Crudités, Kona Shrimp Cocktail, and Roast Beet and Goat Cheese Salad. The journey continues with three carving stations—each a culinary spectacle. The first showcases savory options like Roasted Leg of Lamb, the second pays homage to Thanksgiving traditions with Imu Roasted Turkey and Cranberry Sauce prepared in the property's Imu pit, and the third indulges in the ocean's bounty with delights such as Kona Lobster and Local Grilled Ocean Gems. For dessert, guests can enjoy classics like Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Tart. Meanwhile, Moana offers a curated fixed menu featuring inspired fare such as Kabocha Pumpkin Soup with Spice, Oven Roasted Turkey Roulade paired with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Honey Glazed Root Vegetables, and a sweet finale of Apple Banana Bread Pudding.
| “Our Thanksgiving menu has been meticulously designed to spotlight the abundant beauty of our Hawaiian Islands and evoke cherished memories of holiday favorites,” says Executive Chef Victor Palma. “We aim to take our guests on a sensory journey while fostering a profound sense of home and community.” |
Hawaiian Holiday Magic
The holiday festivities continue at Kona Village from December 21 – January 1 with a daily menu of enriching and immersive activities that span the categories of wellness, culinary, and cultural experiences. An array of unique celebrations will encapsulate the resort’s rich history and commitment to the community. Events include a Paniolo Night on December 21, which pays homage to the unique Hawaiian cowboy heritage and barbeque cuisine of the Big Island, as well as a traditional Hawaiian Lūʻau that will enchant guests with music, dancing, and storytelling. For the entire 12 days, guests have access to daily experiences, beginning each morning where guests can start their day by honoring traditional Hawaiian practices with a canoe paddle or a traditional Hawaiian Sunrise Chant. Cultural enthusiasts can delve into guided tours and beginner’s ukulele classes that both educate and celebrate the vibrant Hawaiian spirit. For those seeking a dash of competition, on-property tennis tournaments promise excitement. The week's culinary offerings extend to a Sip and Sailing Canoe Sunset experience on the stunning Kahuwai Bay, a champagne workshop, a mixology class at Moana Pool Bar, and a burgundy masterclass.
Over at the resort’s Keiki (children) Club, holiday magic comes alive through daily Christmas carols, storytelling hours, and a spirited gingerbread house contest, creating unforgettable memories for guests of all ages. Additionally, Kona Village will organize two canoe regattas open to all guests on December 26 and January 2, where families and individuals can paddle and race against each other fostering a sense of camaraderie and spirited competition.
Christmas Eve celebrations will feature storytelling for the resort’s youngest guests and special dinners at Moana and Kahuwai Cookhouse. The week’s festive events will culminate in a Christmas Day celebration when the property’s inaugural Christmas Market will open for guests to explore handcrafted treasures from local vendors, adding a touch of artisanal charm to the season. For the Keiki, an extra dose of magic awaits as Santa himself sails onto the beach on Christmas Day. And for the finale of the season, New Year's Eve at Kona Village will usher in a spectacular welcome to 2024.
The night will be ablaze with fireworks, traditional Hawaiian fire knife dances, and a melodic backdrop of music. Guests are in for a culinary treat with an expansive array of food stations offering sushi, poke, huli huli chicken, seafood, and more. Serving as the perfect haven to celebrate the essence of this special time of the year, Kona Village, radiates the true holiday spirit.
About Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, is an iconic hideaway rooted in Hawaiian legacy, where the rhythm mirrors the slow, rolling waves along the secluded Kahuwai Bay. Immersed in the moʻolelo (stories) of the Native Hawaiians who came before, this ancient fishing village upholds their long-etched values, carrying a deep commitment to ʻohana (family) with profound Hawaiian hoʻokipa (hospitality of complete giving). Spanning 81 acres of stunning geologic landscape on the Kona Coast, this reimagined classic channels inspiration from the land’s storied history, local sensibilities, and natural elements to illuminate the ancient Kaʻūpūlehu’s past, present, and future. Every element of the property has been carefully curated to celebrate the quintessential elements of the original Kona Village Resort that made it so beloved and to demonstrate a profound connection to and appreciation of the habitat and heritage of its one-of-a-kind location. Spearheaded by Hawaiʻi-raised architect, Greg Warner of Walker Warner Architects, and designed by San Francisco-based interior design firm, NICOLEHOLLIS, these offerings include 150 traditional guest hale; five restaurants and bars, including the original resort’s beloved Shipwreck and Talk Story bars; and Asaya Spa, Rosewood’s integrative wellness concept designed to support mind, body, and soul. A commitment to sustainability is evident throughout the property. The resort is powered 100% by solar energy, and several buildings have been designed for LEED Gold Certification, while an on-site cultural center further provides both visitors and locals with perspective into the rich natural and cultural significance of the surroundings.
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
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