Kona Village x Sweet Laurel: A Wellness-Focused Bakery Residency Arrives on Hawaiʻi Island

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort introduces a new kind of culinary collaboration, welcoming Los Angeles-based Sweet Laurel Bakery for a limited-time residency at Kahuwai Market. Set against the sweeping views of Kahuwai Bay, the open-air market becomes the setting for a partnership that reconsiders what dessert and breakfast can look like within a luxury resort environment.

This is not a traditional pastry program. It reflects a broader shift in how travelers approach food, where wellness and indulgence are no longer treated as opposites.

Founded by Laurel Gallucci and Claire Thomas, Sweet Laurel has built a following around desserts that are grain-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. For this residency, the duo worked closely with Kona Village’s culinary team, including Pastry Chef Michael Brock, to develop offerings that align with both brands’ philosophies.

The process was hands-on. Gallucci and Thomas traveled to the property, drawing inspiration from the resort’s use of local Hawaiian ingredients and its commitment to wellness. Much of that influence comes directly from Kona Village’s onsite farm, where tropical fruits are picked daily and incorporated into the culinary program.

The result is a small but considered menu that reflects both Sweet Laurel’s clean-ingredient approach and the distinct character of Hawaiʻi Island.

Available daily at Kahuwai Market through April 15, the collaboration introduces two exclusive baked goods designed for guests seeking something lighter without sacrificing satisfaction.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Everything Cookies

Made with coconut flour, chocolate, and macadamia nuts, these cookies bring a familiar comfort while incorporating ingredients tied to the island’s agricultural landscape. The texture and richness aim to deliver the same sense of indulgence expected from a classic cookie, reinterpreted through a grain-free lens.

Gluten-Free Paleo Blueberry Muffins

Sweetened with pure maple syrup and finished with a coconut and macadamia nut streusel, the blueberry muffins offer a more nuanced take on a breakfast staple. The flavor profile leans into natural sweetness, with the topping adding both texture and a subtle nod to local ingredients.

The residency unfolds at Kahuwai Market, Kona Village’s all-day dining space open from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Positioned along Kahuwai Bay, the market reflects the resort’s broader identity, one that blends relaxed coastal living with a curated culinary experience.

The addition of Sweet Laurel’s offerings complements this setting. Guests can move through the space at their own pace, picking up a morning pastry or an afternoon treat that aligns with a more mindful approach to eating.

Spanning 81 acres along the Kona Coast, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort draws from the traditions and values of the Native Hawaiian community. The property is shaped by moʻolelo, or stories, that reflect generations of life on the land, alongside a deep commitment to ʻohana and hoʻokipa, a form of hospitality centered on generosity and care.

The culinary program is an extension of that philosophy. By incorporating locally sourced ingredients and collaborating with brands that share a similar ethos, the resort continues to build an experience that feels connected to its surroundings.

The Sweet Laurel residency runs through April 15, 2026, offering a focused window to experience this collaboration. It arrives at a moment when luxury travel is increasingly defined by intention, where details like ingredient sourcing and dietary inclusivity carry as much weight as presentation.