Lana`i Overview

The former Pineapple Isle is currently a work in progress. Emerald golf courses, white sand beaches, and other bits of color entice visitors. Lanai City hearkens back to the past, while Manele and Koele hint at what is yet to come.

Districts

Much of Lana`i is like a blank slate. It isn't covered in black lava rock like the Big Island or covered in greenery like Kaua'i. It's just an empty expanse of sparse brown grass, red earth, and blue sky, criss-crossed here and there with dirt roads and dotted with fields. The highway that leads to town is simply a windy two-lane road, while the harbor is the size of a lakeside harbor in any county park on the mainland.

Lana`i City
Most of Lanai's development has taken place in the center of the island, the opposite of the other islands, where most people live on the coasts. It is a 20-minute ride to Lanai City from the harbor. The residential part of the town is approximately six blocks by 12 blocks. All of the stores and restaurants are grouped in the middle, around the perimeter of Dole Park. There are two grocery stores, a few general stores, one clothing boutique, and a gift shop. Three restaurants serve breakfast and lunch.

Koele
A mile away from Lana`i City and a world away from reality is the Lodge at Koele. It's nestled in the hills and surrounded by pine trees. About a mile behind Koele, at the old Lanai cemetary, is the trailhead for the Munro Trail. This is a famous hiking and four-wheeling path, but it's arduous at the best of times and treacherous at the worst. During the autumn and winter the rains make the trail inaccessible. The Luahiwa Petroglyphs are approximately three miles from Koele and can be reached in a 4x4 vehicle.

Manele Bay/South Lana`i
One mile from Manele Harbor is Lanai's other fantasy resort, the Manele Bay Hotel. It is the equal and the opposite of the Lodge at Koele. Situated on a private strip of oceanfront land, the hotel is the quintessential tropical retreat. If an unwary driver doesn't take the correct turn on the highway, they'll end up at the island's other harbor, Kaumalapau. There isn't much here, but the view off the harbor is spectacular.

North Lana`i
All of the west side of Lana`i and most of the north shore is inaccessible, unpopulated and empty. There are a few tourist attractions that can be reached in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Keomoku Road bisects the island, dead-ending at the north shore on Shipwreck Beach, another popular tourist destination.

East Lana`i
Over the past two hundred years, various people have tried to inhabit parts of Eastern Lana`i. For one reason or another all attempts have failed, leaving only ruined buildings for posterity. The most striking example of this can be found at Keomoku Village, accessible on the coastline trail by 4x4 vehicles only.

Entertainment

Outdoor activities are the island's main attraction. Golf at either of the two main resorts is world-class, while the rest of the island provides great 4x4 off-roading. Other activities include hiking, sailing, and diving.

Swimming Beaches
Unlike the other islands, Lana`i has almost no decent swimming beaches. The best one is at Hulopo'e Bay, right behind the Manele Bay Hotel. This place is also a part of the Manele Marine Preserve, and dozens of exotic fish populate the waters offshore. Swimming at other beaches can be unpleasant or dangerous.

Snorkeling/Scuba Diving
While there is only one decent snorkel spot (at Hulopo'e Bay), offshore Lana`i is known for its world-class diving. A number of companies on the island offer guided tours in the water, dive excursions, marine excursions, and cruises; most also rent out snorkel and dive gear.

Hiking, Biking, & Offroading
Because only 39 miles of road on Lana`i are paved, most exploring of the island needs to be done on foot or in a 4x4 vehicle. Hardy visitors often choose to tackle the dirt roads on foot, and any exploration of beaches must be done on foot, as a bike can't handle the sand and 4x4s are expressly forbidden.

Golf
Two of the world's best golf resorts—the Experience at Koele and the Challenge at Manele—are located within 10 miles of each other.

Dining and Drinking

Anyone who stays in Lana`i for a week can visit all of its restaurants. It's not difficult; there are a total of 11 on the island. It's even easier to hit the bars; there are only three of them. Basically, the island has top tier and bottom-tier dining, with very little in between. At the two main resorts, one can feast on pan-roasted lobster and diver scallops, while at the tiny eateries in town, the order of the day is fried Spam and eggs. The contrast is almost funny.

Where To Stay

In a way, there's nothing easier than finding lodging on Lana`i. The island is tiny, and there are approximately a half-dozen places to stay, most of them in the main town. However, with only a half-dozen establishments (about 350 rooms) to choose from, it goes without saying that options are somewhat limited.

They are not as limited as one might think, though. The former Pineapple Isle has its five-star resorts, its charming country-style inns, its campgrounds, and its private guest homes.

Lana`i by the Numbers

Elevation: Sea level to 3,366feet
Average Annual Rainfall: 50 inches
Average January Temperature: 66 degrees F
Average July Temperature: 71 degrees F

Time Zone: GMT-10
Area Code: 808

Population: 3,000
Ethnic Mix: 22% Hawaiian, 21% Caucasian, 19% Japanese, 12% Filipino, 4% Chinese, 22% Other

Did You Know?

Lana`i is often called Hawaii's most secluded island, and for good reason. For many years, almost all of Lana`i was dedicated to growing Hawaii's most popular export, pineapples. Also, because of the island's tiny size (only 18 miles wide by 13 miles long), Lanai is frequently overlooked for larger tourist hotspots like Honolulu and Waikiki.

Orientation/Geography

Lana`i is located in Maui county, east of the islands of Moloka'i and Maui.


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