Rebuilding Paradise with Purpose | Kona Village Resort Case Study

Tragedy Strikes

For decades, Kona Village Resort stood as a secluded sanctuary along Hawaii’s western shoreline. Spanning 81 oceanfront acres bordered by lava fields and palm groves, the resort embodied Polynesian hospitality and barefoot luxury. Originally opened in 1965, the property featured traditional grass-thatched hale bungalows that blended seamlessly into the landscape. Guests came for privacy, ocean views, and a deeply authentic island experience.

On March 11, 2011, that legacy was nearly erased.

Following a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Japan, a Pacific-wide tsunami surged across the ocean. Hours later, 10–15-foot waves crashed into Hawaii’s west coast. Kona Village Resort lay directly in the tsunami’s path. Oceanfront bungalows were destroyed. The infrastructure was severely damaged. The original thatched roofs made of natural grass were ripped away. After 46 years of operation, the resort closed indefinitely and remained silent for 11 years.

Rebuilding a Polynesian-Inspired Thatch Roof

In 2017, new ownership announced a complete rebuild of Kona Village Resort — not simply restoring it but elevating it into a six-star luxury destination. Architect John Lacy was tasked with redesigning the resort while honoring its Polynesian roots. The original aesthetic — rounded rooflines, curved eaves, organic textures — was central to Kona Village’s identity.

But rebuilding meant making critical material decisions.

The previous structures used traditional natural grass thatch roofing. While visually stunning, natural thatch presents challenges in coastal environments like Hawaii, including UV degradation, salt air exposure, moisture retention, pest vulnerability, and ongoing maintenance cycles.

Lacy’s goal was clear: recapture the beauty of traditional Polynesian architecture while upgrading performance, longevity, and safety.

The Challenge

Replacing Natural Grass Thatch with a Safer Alternative

Rebuilding in a modern regulatory and environmental landscape required more than aesthetic replication. The new roofing system needed to be:

• Fire-resistant
• Environmentally responsible
• Cost-effective over the long term
• Durable in Hawaii’s coastal climate
• Architecturally customizable

Natural grass thatch, while historically accurate, could not meet all these modern performance standards.

Additionally, Kona Village demanded a completely bespoke architectural identity. As a six-star resort, the roof design needed to be unique — not something easily duplicated.

“Kona Village is a six-star resort, so we were looking for something that would be unique to the resort that couldn’t be copied.”
— John Lacy

The solution required a custom synthetic thatch roof system capable of honoring tradition while outperforming natural materials.

The Endureed® Solution

During his search for alternatives to natural grass roofing, Lacy discovered Endureed® Engineered Thatch.

What stood out immediately was Endureed’s emphasis on innovation, performance, and customization.

Unlike traditional thatch, Endureed’s synthetic thatch roofing offers:

• Non-flammable components
• Superior durability in coastal environments
• Reduced maintenance requirements
• Long-term structural reliability
• Sustainable material composition

Just as importantly, the product could be fully customized.

“The customization that Endureed offered fit with the level of architectural expression that we were looking for.”
— John Lacy

For a property as iconic as Kona Village Resort, a standard solution would not suffice.

Custom Engineered Thatch Designed for Coastal Hawaii

Working closely with Endureed’s team, Lacy developed a fully bespoke synthetic thatch specification exclusive to Kona Village.

The custom design included:

• A unique color blend
• Custom reed shapes
• Specific reed lengths
• Curved eave detailing
• Exaggerated rounded roof profiles
• Dormers reflecting Polynesian architectural forms

Multiple samples and corner mockups were created to refine the aesthetic. The team evaluated texture, shadow lines, density, and overall roof silhouette before final approval.

“Luke and his team went above and beyond — providing countless samples, mockups, and even on-site visits to ensure we achieved the exact custom thatch look the project required.”
— John Lacy

The final result achieved the organic warmth of traditional grass thatch while delivering the performance advantages of engineered synthetic materials.

Installation & Collaboration with Endureed

The Kona Village rebuild required tight coordination between:

• Architect: John Lacy
• Builder / Installer: Drew Gourley (Nordic PCL Construction)
• Endureed design consultants

For Lacy’s firm, the project marked new territory — designing indigenous-inspired architecture at this scale required careful attention to cultural reference and technical execution.

Endureed’s organization and specificity throughout the process distinguished them from other companies considered.

From early design consultation through on-site support, collaboration ensured the finished roof would meet both aesthetic and structural standards.

Results & Impact

A Six-Star Luxury Resort Reopens in 2023

On July 1, 2023 — eleven years after the tsunami — Kona Village Resort officially reopened.

Today, guests once again walk beneath sweeping thatched rooflines that evoke the spirit of the original resort. The difference lies beneath the surface: a fire-resistant, sustainable, custom synthetic thatch roofing system engineered for longevity in Hawaii’s demanding coastal environment.

The project stands as a testament to resilience, architectural heritage, and modern innovation.

“Working with Endureed on the Kona Village Resort was an exceptional experience. From the beginning, their team stood out for their innovation, attention to detail, and willingness to collaborate. For a luxury resort like Kona Village, authenticity and uniqueness were non-negotiable. Endureed’s ability to create a custom color and profile that perfectly balanced natural beauty with performance made them the clear choice… In my view, they own this space.”
— John Lacy