Kona Village Resort - Green for Decades

It's Not about Following a Trend, it is Part of Who We Are

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. April 27, 2010

KONA, HI - April 26, 2010 - Our commitment is to the ancients that came before us. We have deep respect for the aina (land) and Ka upulehu (the area). The spirituality of Kona Village is derived from the mana (spirit) that comes from the land. By respecting the land, we share that respect with each other and with our guests. We care for the ancient Hawaiian fish ponds and 3.2 acre petroglyph field at Kona Village. Efforts in these areas have been recognized by the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau in their “Keep it Hawaii” annual awards. The natural environment here is among the reasons guests visit Kona Village and have for more than 40 years.

Eco-Cuisine

In the kitchens of Kona Village, Mark Tsuchiyama is Director of Culinary and Restaurant Operations, Kona Village Resort and Hualalai Resort. Tsuchiyama's daily mantra is “Farm to Table” -- identifying the daily menu for guests based upon the freshest produce and product from on-island farmers. Locally grown fruits and greens, hearts of palm, goat cheese, fresh island fish, locally raised beef and lamb - even wild island boar -- as well as the famous Kona Coffee - all to support the island's “Slow Food Movement.” While Hawaii is well-known for its mouthwatering deep sea fish, those supplies of fish are dwindling. To supplement and still offer the freshest possible seafood, KVR supports 'aquaculture', a term used to describe farm raised fish that range from Kampachi, a delicious sushi-grade fish with amazing versatility, Abalone, Black Cod as well as local purchases from Honolulu from its auction block. Kampachi, the Hawaiian yellowtail fish, is receiving significant attention from chefs around the state and nationwide, who are increasingly impressed with it's richness in Omega-3 fish oil without detectable levels of mercury. Everyday is a new day of food experiences at Kona Village, all based upon the Chef's selection the best locally grown and raised produce and product available.

Eco-Friendly For more than 40 years, this idyllic oceanfront resort has remained true to Hawaiian culture and traditions that include deep respect for the land (aina) and ocean. Along with that, goes all the living species that regularly visit the Kahuwai Bay - within the waters and outside. Within the Bay itself, the activities of snorkeling or diving may include the probability of swimming by a school of multi-colored tropical fish or the opportunity to see Pacific Spinner Dolphins glide by or view (in season), humpback whales flapping their tales out in the ocean during a lunch break.

Every afternoon, a parade of adorable green sea turtles (honu), visit the beach from the water and bask in the sun for a few hours. Respecting their need for privacy during their time in the sun, guests maintain a safe distance from the protected species while still being able to photograph and appreciate their close proximity. Attentive beach staff brief all guests snorkeling activities and ocean etiquette to help ensure they understand there is much to see but it is all best left untouched.

Eco-Culture
When the area where Kona Village now stands was “rediscovered” in 1961, a portion of the 82 acres was barren lava, the result of an 1801 lava flow and a 1946 tsunami. Employees began bringing cuttings from their backyards and in the fertile volcanic soil, lush foliage soon erupted in profusion.

Kona Village began recycling when it opened in 1965, long before it was vogue, before it was a trend, before the word was a vocabulary regular. Kona Village 'walks the talk' in recycling. The roofing material on the restaurants, fitness center and the 125 individual thatched-roof hale (bungalows) is grown from more than 2,000 coconut trees that dot the 82-acre resort. Fronds from the trees are dried on black lava in the warm tropical sun and a team of “thatchers” cover roofs year round on a rotational basis. The roofing lasts approximately five years before having to be replaced with newly dried fronds.

From these same coconut trees come the resort's Do Not Disturb signs. For guests not wanting to be disturbed, a coconut placed just outside the hale door will ensure privacy.

Cool ocean breezes, ever-present tropical trade winds and ceiling fans provide natural air conditioning at Kona Village. Carbon-burning, fuel-using, emission-producing air conditioning is not present. Kona Village is also an unplugged resort. In the bungalow (hale), there are no televisions, radios or telephones which can result in unwanted noise and needless electricity consumption.

Kona Village does their best to make certain that all guests participate in the experience that is uniquely the Village while also understanding the fragile environment of Ka`upulehu. Children happily fish from bamboo poles in the ancient Hawaiian fish ponds and gleefully throw back whatever they catch. Work is ongoing to restore and maintain the treasure that are these ponds that have existed here for hundreds of years, so that others can enjoy them, hundreds of years from now.

And among the many anticipated children's activities during the week is the making of ti-leaf skirts and flower lei….all of course completely recyclable materials. (Children then don their attire and perform the opening number at the resort's twice-weekly aha'aina - lu'au dinner and show).

No elevators or lengthy enclosed hallways here, rather, the walk to a guest's hale is more like a stroll in a nature park. Abundant and diverse vegetation is allowed to grow much as nature intended rather than being pruned to precise heights and shapes. Guests would be hard-pressed to hear leaf blowers and hedge trimmers. Rather, it is the sounds of Francolins, Mynah, Koloa Ducks, Plovers and other birds chorusing the ocean's rhythmic surf that reminds every visitor that being green is not a trend at Kona Village. It is how it always was, and with the care and awareness expressed by Kona Village today, it is how it always will be.

Ultimately, it comes back to the land, the mana (spirit) of that land, and recognizing the responsibility today and beyond so others who follow will also be fortunate enough to experience Kona Village. And it is why Kona Village is best explained in four simple words; unplugged, unpretentious, unmatched, and certainly unforgettable.

Visit us at Kona Village Resort

Unplugged, Unpretentious, Unmatched

www.konavillage.com