Kohanaiki’s Rees Jones-Designed Golf Course Achieves Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary Certification

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaiʻi – Kohanaiki, a private club community on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, is awarded the Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary for its golf course, positioning Kohanaiki as the first course in the state to earn this certification.

Additionally, Kohanaiki is now amongst one of 14 Gold Signature Sanctuary courses worldwide within Audubon’s network of over 2,000 certified courses globally.

Kohanaiki’s recognition is rooted in its stewardship efforts, which continue to expand across multiple ecological zones on the property, reflecting a comprehensive approach to environmental management. 

Ongoing work includes the maintenance and restoration of rare anchialine pond systems, dedicated habitat protection for the Hawaiian stilt (Aeʻo), implementing native and drought-tolerant landscaping, innovative water conservation methods, wildlife protection, ecological buffering, and low impact golf course maintenance.

“A pillar of Kohanaiki is to embrace and protect the natural environment, which is reflected in everything we do on property. Achieving the Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary certification for our course showcases how our everyday practices and initiatives contribute to the greater good of the ecosystem to better the lives for not only our residents, but to Kona as well,” said David Reese, President & CEO, Kohanaiki.

The Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary certification is a title awarded to new developments, courses, and resorts that go above and beyond to implement high level sustainable design, construction, and long-term ecological management. The process requires comprehensive natural resource management plans, habitat enhancements, environmental monitoring, and verified sustainable practices.

Kohanaiki’s diligent green practices include improved hydrology, invasive species removal, and long-term water quality monitoring to preserve its surrounding coastal ecosystems. The property also supports dedicated habitat protection through predator control, reduced disturbance areas, water-level management, and active monitoring during the breeding season.

Additionally, the course expanded native and drought-tolerant landscaping to reduce irrigation demand while strengthening habitat connectivity, paired with advanced irrigation technologies and moisture-monitoring systems that conserve water without compromising turf or habitat health. Additional measures include seasonal wildlife protections, no-mow zones, and refuge areas around sensitive nesting and foraging sites.

“We’re incredibly proud to be the first course in Hawai‘i to achieve Audubon International’s Gold Signature Sanctuary certification. Protecting Kohanaiki’s unique natural resources— from our anchialine ponds to the nesting grounds of the Aeʻo— guides our stewardship every day,” said Luke Bennett, Director of Golf Course Maintenance and Grounds, Kohanaiki.

Kohanaiki’s golf course is an 18-hole, par-72 layout designed by Rees Jones, stretching roughly 7,400 yards along Hawaiʻi’s Kona Coast. Built across a lava landscape, it features wide fairways, large greens, and multiple tee options, with several holes playing along the ocean.