This sacred land surrounding Kahuwai Bay has lived many lives spanning centuries, from the very first Polynesian settlers to reach Hawai`i to the second wave of Polynesian settlers who established Ka`ūpūlehu as a thriving ahupua`a (land division). Living lightly on the land, they traded fish and salt for goods from upland villagers, creating foundational, sustainable practices to mindfully pass down through generations.
By 1939, Ka’ūpūlehu was no longer a lively fishing village, but a quiet enclave filled with memories of the past—until The New Moon discovered its deserted shores. In 1965, Johnno Jackson and his wife, Helen, arrived at the abandoned village after sailing much of the South Pacific on their schooner. With a lofty dream and unwavering spirit, they established the Kona Village Resort, creating traditions that are still remembered and revered to this day.
For the next five decades, Kona Village welcomed guests from all over the world, never losing its beating heart. Families would return year after year, eager to rejoin in beloved traditions and reconnect with the staff, who now felt like ‘ohana (family).
Then, in March of 2011, an earthquake off the coast of Japan sent a tsunami across the Pacific Ocean, and Kona Village was swept away. For over a decade, the land sat in a deep stillness, not unlike the century before, waiting for another chance to share its bountiful source with people from all over the world. In 2023, it will finally have that chance. Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, is awakening the subliminal magic that stirs deep within the salted sands and illuminated waters, giving us all the chance to embrace its richly restorative properties once again.
In a passionate effort to maintain the integrity of the land, the resort has been sustainably renovated from the ground-up, with a thoughtful architectural approach that honors the original Kona Village. New structures remain light on the land, with raised, thatched hales, complimenting the lush landscape. From exterior siding inspired by coconut tree husks to basalt rock furnishings, each element feels organic and rooted in the natural environment.
As one of the largest privately owned microgrids in the state, the resort is solely reliant on solar power with a zero-waste commitment, cementing Kona Village as a leader in green hospitality.
Whether you’re stepping onto the sacred soils for the first time, or returning for another formative experience that you’ll eternally carry, Kona Village is alive again, brimming with bountiful energy, and ready for the next chapter in its prolific story.
