Kahala is an upscale suburb of Honolulu, renowned for its serene lifestyle and picturesque landscapes. The owner of M/Y Kahala named his 40-meter semi-custom Benetti yacht after it, dreaming of his own island paradise in the ocean, where each day would be filled with sunshine and joy.
With a composite hull and superstructure, the Benetti Oasis 40M platform has a four-deck layout and measures 40.8 meters in length, designed to accommodate up to 10 guests. The exterior design was done by RWD, while the interiors were developed by the New York-based firm Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture, which created the foundational concept for the interior spaces.
Each hull of the series is customisable, so the owner of Kahala was able to hire his own designer. He chose to work with these specialists, although he significantly deviated from the original interior sketches.
The noble profile of the Oasis 40M is characterised by its vertical bow and automotive-style elements that RWD is known for. When introducing the first hull of the Oasis 40M, RWD's director, Adrien Cisternino, remarked, "On this yacht, you will discover the sea in a new way. It allows for a lifestyle on board that can be both dynamic and relaxing." These words perfectly encapsulate the essence of Kahala as well.
One of the standout features of the superyacht's layout, which the Italian shipyard and British design firm are especially proud of, is the Oasis Deck concept. This expansive beach club seamlessly integrates with the main deck, featuring an exquisite infinity pool and fold-down terraces (sections of the bulwarks) on either side. Spanning 90 square meters, this multifunctional and nearly barrier-free space is perfect for relaxation and entertainment. The fold-down side platforms increase the width of the beach deck by 2.5 meters, making it a generous 11 meters wide. At the centre of the deck lies a sunbathing island complete with a C-shaped sofa and a coffee table.
The centrepiece for guests will undoubtedly be the stunning plunge pool, measuring 7 square meters and holding 5,500 litres of water. Elevated above the teak platform, it exudes a sense of ancient grandeur and power. While the Kahala yacht harmoniously blends into the landscapes of Bali or Hawaii, it also looks magnificent in the Mediterranean and ensures that its passengers feel comfortable even in northern latitudes.
The pool is equipped with heating and spa jets, providing a luxurious experience where laughter from splashing children and adults will fill the air all day long. Indeed, what a delight it is to emerge from the bubbling water, inhale the cool salty breeze, and dive back into this frothy geyser!
The transparent infinity pool is positioned almost at sea level, creating the illusion of swimming in the ocean, which is just a few steps away.
The bathing platform connects to the cockpit of the main deck, which seamlessly transitions into the main salon when the curved glass doors slide away into the walls. This layout allows a large family or group of friends to spend time together while still enjoying ample personal space.
After a morning stretch on the main deck, it’s worth heading up to the sky lounge on the upper deck to bask in the morning sun, savour the aroma of freshly brewed cappuccino or high-quality pu-erh tea, and enjoy a light, healthy breakfast. The view of the sea through the expansive windows provides a sense of tranquillity that even an hour of meditation cannot match. It’s a moment just for yourself to feel the energy of a new day.
For the crew, the day is in full swing, and they can head to the spacious, sunlit wheelhouse to discuss the day’s plans with the captain and instruct the crew to launch the water toys.
The wheelhouse features floor-to-ceiling windows and accommodates six people, resembling the command centre of a large cruise ship. Instead of a traditional bulky control panel with a steering wheel, this yacht boasts a sleek, futuristic console designed collaboratively by experts from Benetti and Fincantieri. The carbon fibre console is equipped with integrated software and controls displayed on two screens. Navigation equipment is housed in a climate-controlled compartment located to the right of the helm.
After enjoying plenty of swimming, jet skiing, and working up an appetite, guests can ascend to the top deck—the sun deck. Much of this expansive, sunlit area is shaded by a hardtop, providing a cool retreat even during the peak of equatorial heat. There’s also a jacuzzi located at the front of this level for a refreshing soak.
On the sun deck, you can enjoy lunch, host a barbecue, or start with an aperitif at the bar. You can sit back and watch the white-capped waves trailing behind the yacht...
After lunch, as you head toward the next anchorage, you can feel the wind in your hair while lounging on the sunbeds on the foredeck. A cocktail with a sunset view on the open deck makes for a perfect prelude to dinner, which can be followed by watching movies on the big screen in the sky lounge.
Interior designers Bonetti and Kozerski aimed for a clean and cohesive style that unifies all the spaces. The colour palette features light walls with panels separated by dark wooden mouldings. The interior is rich in glass elements and a play of wood textures. The furniture is predominantly minimalist yet characterised by whimsical curves. This is especially evident in the main salon, where two wave-shaped sofas are symmetrically positioned along the walls, and the floor showcases a distinct geometric pattern: rows of wide horizontal wooden planks interspersed with narrow vertical strips.
The designers combined vintage and contemporary furniture and decor items, all crafted from custom designs. The chairs and tables, with their slender silhouettes, reflect mid-20th-century modernism, specifically from the 1950s to 1970s. A custom rug was woven, and a dining table for ten was specially made for the main salon's dining area.
“We wanted to create a unique design focused on owners who prefer a more relaxed lifestyle on board,” says Enrico Bonetti.
Nestled between the main salon and the master cabin are a comfortable galley and a private owner’s office with glass walls. A striking feature of this elegant space is a stunning piece by a contemporary Hawaiian sculptor, commissioned specifically for Kahala, serving as yet another reminder of the owner's love for the exotic islands of the Pacific.
Overall, the Benetti design allows for significant modifications to the layout. For instance, in one version, the master cabin was relocated to where the sky lounge is situated.
However, the owner of Kahala remained true to the original concept. His luxurious suite is located at the front of the main deck. The king-size bed is centrally positioned in the bright bedroom, offering breathtaking views while the yacht is underway. The bathroom, finished in fine wood and spanning from side to side, is situated closer to the bow.
Four guest cabins are located amidships on the lower deck. Two of these are classified as VIP cabins, while the other two feature twin beds in each, offering a more modest yet still comfortable option suitable for even transatlantic voyages.
Regarding the powertrain, Kahala is equipped with two MAN V12 engines, enabling the yacht to reach a maximum speed of 16 knots and allowing for transatlantic crossings at a cruising speed of 11 knots.
The latest Oasis 40M hull has demonstrated that this platform can be easily tailored to the owner's preferences. The yacht owner didn’t need to make drastic changes to the base design; instead, he was able to focus on fine-tuning the details to suit his tastes.
