Kona Village

Located on the culturally significant lands of Kaʻūpūlehu on Hawaii Island, Kona Village has been reimagined after more than a decade of dormancy, balancing cultural preservation with environmental stewardship. The LEED v4 Gold resort honors the legacy of the original property while integrating vernacular architecture, passive design, and modern sustainability strategies. 

The 81-acre property operates on a microgrid powered by more than 8,000 photovoltaic panels, meeting nearly all of its energy needs. A comprehensive water system captures stormwater, treats wastewater, and reuses well and lagoon sources for irrigation. Structures are oriented for passive cooling, with shaded pathways and natural ventilation, and are clad in low-emission, durable materials—including recycled-plastic thatched roofing. Working with Re-Use Hawaii, the design team also salvaged materials from the original resort, further minimizing environmental impact. 
 
In collaboration with cultural advisors, the project preserved over 200 historic sites and engaged local hiring and reuse initiatives, ensuring that the revitalization of Kona Village benefits the community while creating a resilient, net-positive hospitality destination.