Big Island resort damaged by tsunami plans 2022 reopening

We are thrilled to announce the latest addition to the Rosewood collection: Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, opening in 2022 on the Big Island of Hawai’i. (Photo: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts/Facebook)

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — A Big Island resort known for its Polynesian-style, thatched-roof bungalows plans to reopen in 2022 after it closed in 2011 because of tsunami damage.

Real estate investment firm Kennedy Wilson has brought on Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to manage Kona Village.

Rosewood announced Wednesday that the renovated property about 19 miles (30 kilometres) north of Kailua-Kona will have 150 stand-alone guest hales.

The resort plans to reopen the original Shipwreck Bar and Talk Story Bar and add a spa, multiple swimming pools and other amenities.

This will be Rosewood’s first property in Hawaii.

Kennedy Wilson took over the resort in 2016 after a foreclosure lawsuit was filed against the resort’s former owner.

The resort originally opened in 1965.