The Four Seasons Resort has revealed its latest project KOMO, in Wailea, Maui – the restaurant has combined Japanese cuisine with traditional Hawaiian hospitality to create a luxury dining space for its guests at the heart of the island.
KOMO has developed from a section of the resort’s lobby, with its name stemming from the Japanese culture that has influenced the menu. It offers premium accommodation for visitors using a welcoming interior and cultural representation to build an inviting space for the evening. The design company, Atelier Pond, wanted to concentrate on embodying the authentic landscape of Maui, so has used the lobby fountain for the entrance’s focal point, reminding tourists about the resort’s original design concept of following the journey of the water from mountain to sea.
Meanwhile, the rest of the location has reflected themes of post-modern architecture, using earthy lava stone, quartzite and marble to generate a natural texture that mirrors the island’s volcanic history. Inside the restaurant itself, the main centrepiece is the sushi bar, creating a dramatic yet familiar environment for the guests, whilst the uplighting and woven rattan panels have emphasised its unique and organic structure. They have also introduced lush foliage into the dining space to soften the harshness of the geometrical layout and draw out fragments of Maui’s roots for a more immersive experience. It has been expressed as “an open-air space where garden meets architecture” by Phillip Pond, Atelier Pond’s founder.
L’Observatoire International has added its own touch to KOMO’s design too, developing the warmth of the restaurant by establishing mirrors which magnify the island’s lighting, something that people find especially striking during the sunset hours that transition Maui from day to night. This concept has allowed the dining area to radiate the energy of the island, expanding on the plan to showcase Maui’s captivating natural features through the layout of the space.
General Manager Ben Shank explained that KOMO added “an exciting new chapter to Four Seasons Resort Maui’s legacy of exceptional dining experiences,” and acts as a manifestation of their “commitment to creating unforgettable evenings for our guests, where world-class Japanese cuisine meets genuine Hawaiian hospitality in a setting that celebrates the magic of Maui.”
