There are resorts with service, and then there is Kokomo Private Island, where hospitality becomes a quiet choreography of instinct, anticipation, and deeply human connection. At the heart of this experience is Ima Korobiau: Head Butler, quiet powerhouse, and unofficial island treasure, whose role is less about tasks and more about transformation.
To be a Kokomo Butler is to walk the line between invisible and indispensable. It’s about anticipating needs before they’re spoken, elevating small moments into memories, and embodying the essence of Fijian warmth with every gesture. “To me, being a Kokomo Butler means serving with dignity, without hesitation, and always with an open heart,” Ima explains. “It’s about having the right attitude, a positive mind, and going the extra mile…always.”
Since joining the Kokomo team in 2017, Ima has become a quiet legend among returning guests, many of whom consider her part of the reason they return. Her journey began in hospitality over a decade ago, spanning food and beverage, events, and weddings, but it’s in the intimate rhythm of butlering where she found her calling. “This role allows me to truly connect with guests. To create experiences that stay with them long after they’ve left the island. That’s what I love most.”
At Kokomo, butlers are more than personal assistants - they’re storytellers, memory-makers, sometimes even lifelines. One guest learned this firsthand when a serious injury required her evacuation to Suva for emergency surgery. Ima accompanied her the entire way, staying by her side through recovery and rehab, even helping her walk again. “That moment stays with me,” Ima recalls. “To be able to help someone heal, not just physically, but emotionally - that was something greater than service. That was purpose.”
This level of care is no exception, rather it’s the standard. Kokomo Butlers are trained not just in hospitality protocols, but in emotional intelligence, cultural nuance, and the fine art of reading between the lines. They’ll remember your coffee order before you’ve said a word, have your muddy shoes cleaned before you even notice the stain, and know when to offer conversation.
Guests are often astonished by the attention to detail. Morning routines might include freshly baked pastries delivered to your Grand Residence or Beachfront Villa alongside a perfectly steamed shirt. You’ll find your sunglasses polished, your favourite bottle chilling in the villa fridge, and dinner plans confirmed before you’ve thought to make them. “We tailor every moment,” Ima says. “From laundry to lunch, it’s all about knowing our guests deeply, so we can serve without needing to ask.”
Butlers are often the first to greet guests and the last to wave them off, and those moments which bookend the Kokomo experience, are innately part of our island team. “Being cheerful, being helpful, showing warmth from the moment a guest steps off the seaplane, that’s how you set the tone,” Ima shares. “And when they leave, it’s not just a goodbye. It’s a thank you for trusting us with your time.”
Her secret? Active listening, meticulous preparation, and a deep respect for the role. Every new arrival brings a fresh puzzle - preferences to learn, personalities to read, habits to decode. “No two guests are ever the same. And that’s what keeps it exciting.”
When asked about her favourite part of the island to share with guests, Ima lights up. “The farm,” she says. “It’s where you see Kokomo’s soul. Everything we grow - herbs, vegetables, crops - it’s all organic. Guests love to see where their meals begin. And the Village Tour. That’s (guests) feel our culture. Our ‘Bula’ spirit. It’s unforgettable.” It’s this intersection of luxury and life, of island living and international expectation, where Kokomo thrives. Here, sustainability isn’t an afterthought, it’s part of the fabric.
Eight years into her Kokomo journey, Ima speaks of the brand with reverence. “It’s like wearing a signature designer label - elegant, rare, and something you wear with pride. Kokomo has shaped me, personally and professionally. It’s taught me resilience, time management, emotional intelligence. It’s helped me grow in every way.”
And it shows. In the way she welcomes guests, in the care she takes in every detail, and in the legacy of service she continues to build. In an era of ultra-luxury where experiences often feel curated to the point of detachment, Ima is a reminder of what true hospitality looks like: intuitive, wholehearted, and entirely human.
If Kokomo is the dream, then Ima is the heartbeat.