As President and CEO, I oversee all things Kohanaiki, a private residential community. We have a Vice President of Operations who handles the club operations, a Head of Sales and Marketing, a Head of Development and Construction and a Vice President of Finance, with whom I work closely to ensure our mission and initiatives are achieved.
Through this collaboration, we’re attracting new buyers and members across the Kohanaiki community via personal engagement, creative programming, a focus on the family and a commitment to providing a stellar experience. We host a bevy of great events with all these factors in mind and are proud of the teamwork and detail that goes into each of them.
The “Q” (short for Bar-B-Que), for instance, takes place during the annual PGA Tour Champions event at Hualālai each January. With those legendary Tour pros playing just a few minutes down the road, we host a member Pro-Am that welcomes the PGA Tour Champions players to Kohanaiki for a couple of days and nights.
We host a welcome reception and drawing party on the first night, with two days of golf, breakfast, lunch and evening activities to follow. After several years of hosting the event, we’ve had some big names take part in the tournament - Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Ben Crenshaw and so many more. Matt Kuchar has played in the past, and longtime golf broadcaster Mark Rolfing also joins us.
Evening functions include a discussion panel hosted by Rolfing where stories are exchanged and a Q&A takes place so participants and attendees can ask any burning questions of the golfers they’ve watched for the past four decades.
Of course, not all clubs have access to these great players. However, all facilities can create amazing experiences and sell that dream that so many people desire. Whether you’re a golf club, a country club or an all-inclusive residential community like Kohanaiki, you can treat every one of your members like they’re your most important members. In selling real estate here at Kohanaiki, potential buyers are wooed by our exceptional amenities and service, helping in the home sales process.
At Kohanaiki, we focus on anticipatory service, delivering the unexpected, always finding creative solutions and engaging in genuine, seamless and thoughtful interactions.
Our membership includes the buyers (husband and wife), as well as the grandparents and kids, and we create programming with the complete family in mind.
With an 18-hole Rees Jones layout, 67,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, restaurant, brewery, spa, movie theater and bowling alley, we’ve left no stone unturned in creating a product that draws people in and makes them want to stay.
We host Par 3 challenges on our driving range, scramble events with staff and members and themed social events that include F&B, and offer water activities like paddle board, snorkeling and scuba diving. We even have the resources to help members get certified in these water activities.
As a best practice, our success goes beyond the amenities and programming - it’s about knowing how to treat people. Whether you’re near the ocean, a lake, ski slopes or the desert, find your niche and go all-in on maximizing the member experience.
At Kohanaiki, we keep it fresh and new and exciting, coming up with unique, out-of-the-box ideas so our members are always anticipating what fun might be in store.
David Reese, PGA is the President and CEO of Kohanaiki Golf & Ocean Club in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.