Kohanaiki
KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII
Design and art direction for the repositioning of a 450-acre, private community located on the Western shores of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
LEGENDS LIVE HERE
The project takes its name from the traditional Hawaiian land division on which it is located—the Kohanaiki ahupua‘a. The name means “small barrenness”, which refers to the lava flows that cover its lower slopes. The ahupua‘a consists mainly of pahoehoe (smooth lava) with smaller amounts of ‘a‘a (rough lava) disgorged by Mount Hualālai some 3,000 to 5,000 years ago.
In celebration of Hawaiian culture, the identity is inspired by an unearthed ki‘i pohaku (petroglyph) located on the property, which seemingly depicts a man engaged in a type of ancient ritual. One’s interpretation depends on one’s favorite recreational pursuit along the shores. Anglers see a man throwing a fishing net, surfers see a man riding waves.
