Brand & Creative Consultant Colby Milano has just returned from the magic of Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort in Hawai'i, a place that one would describe as a tiny slice of heaven on earth. After a week-long celebration with loved ones, she brings us along the journey as she dips into her camera’s film, filled with special moments.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE BIG ISLAND?

The Big Island has always held a special place in my heart. With Hawaii being exactly halfway between Sydney and New York, it felt like the right fit for our wedding destination. So, a year ago I went back to find a venue and happened to stumble upon Kona Village, just a week into their reopening. I felt an overwhelming pull to the place, something words can't describe. Why wasn't the question I was asking myself, but how was I going to make this happen? In the words of one of our local vendors Ruchi, "They chose to get married on this sacred land of Hawai'i. Truthfully though, this sacred land chooses who gets to get married here."

WHAT ARE YOU MOST GRATEFUL FOR?

I'm grateful for the experience of sharing this special place with so many special people for a very special occasion! Being back here for our wedding, in the company of our family, friends and loved ones has been one of the most memorable experiences in my life.

DESCRIBE THE SENSE OF FEELING YOU EXPERIENCED WHEN YOU FIRST ARRIVED? 

A deep sense of release and healing through connection. A connection to self, connection to the environment and connection to loved ones. Sometimes it takes a life event to remind you of these things, or stepping into a place that grounds you enough to recognise the deep history of where you stand in that moment.

There's a quote my partner loves by Craig Sager, it goes "Time is something that cannot be bought; it cannot be wagered with God, and it is not in endless supply, Time is simply how you live your life."

I've always valued slowing down, but this trip made me reconsider the importance of time or lack thereof. Our time is really to be valued, who we spend that time with and what we do with that time is to be valued. Our memories and experiences hold much more significance than we often realise. In the end, memories are all we have. This is likely why I am so drawn to photography. I have a deep passion for photographing times in my life, whether mundane or eventful. Finding beauty in the every day, with the people you love and capturing it helps both ground me in that present moment and hold onto those memories.

SHOP COLBY'S TRAVEL EDIT:

WHAT ARE THE STANDOUT MOMENTS FOR YOU?

There were many but something particularly special was on the morning of our wedding when we were taken on an outrigger canoe to view the Ka‘ūpūlehu coastline and swim off the coast in the ocean. We spotted sea turtles and learned about the rich heritage of Hawaiian voyaging. It was a beautiful way to start the day.

Some other highlights included a nighttime manta ray snorkel, fresh coconuts by the pool, riding bikes around the property and our couples massage at the ASAYA spa.

GIVE US YOUR HOT TIPS. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL, PLACE TO DINE OR VISIT?

The Big Island as a whole has so much to offer. It has a uniquely diverse and lava-dominated landscape with some of the most breathtaking sunsets I've ever seen. I'd recommend renting a car and driving around the island to many of the incredible beaches (Hapuna Beach, Kauna'oa Bay, the black sand beaches), active volcanos, historical sites and stopping in Kona Town for the cool beachside bars and restaurants with live music like Huggo's on the Rocks. Outside of land-specific activities, I highly recommend going into the ocean and swimming with the giant local manta rays. It is a beyond magical experience and one of the best places in the world to view these majestic creatures feeding on plankton. 

Since this trip was solely based around Kona Village, we essentially moved in and never left. Fortunately, there was no reason to. I can't speak highly enough about their hospitality, incredible chefs and preservation of the rich culture and history the sacred land they're located on has to offer. 

The hotel was created in 1965 by a couple who found the abandoned village, once home to the first and second wave of Polynesian settlers to reach Hawai`i. It wasn't until 2011 that an earthquake off the coast of Japan sent a tsunami that essentially swept the hotel away. "For over a decade, the land sat in a deep stillness, not unlike the century before," and reopened as a Rosewood Resort in 2023.What I appreciated most was that they re-imagined the hotel exactly as it was, honouring the original Kona Village, land and landscape. It is also completely run on solar, with a zero-waste commitment. 

You can read more about their story here. 

Photos by @joylubo and @colbymilano