Lanai Is Hawaii’s Smallest Island

Bigger is not always better.

This is true in the case of Lanai which is Hawaii’s smallest island.

Tim Roseland will give us some ideas on things to do in this fabulous island!

The Island of Lana’i - Hawaii’s Smallest Island Wonder
By Tim Roseland

If your idea of the perfect Hawaiian getaway is to find an island where the days pass in slow motion, and you will return home relaxed instead of exhausted, then Lana’ i should be your island of choice. Although Lanai resembles the Australian outback more closely than it does the tropical paradise you will find on many of the other Hawaiian Islands, its many natural wonders will give you plenty to do during your stay.

Manele Bay is the island of Lana’i’s nod to modern tourism. Located on the south east coast of Lanai, the bay and harbor offers swimming, boating, and off-island excursions. The bay is the site of the Four Seasons Resort Lana’i, the major resort on the island. This resort offers everything you would expect from a four-star hotel, including a JackNicklaus-designed championship golf course.

The four seasons also operates Lana’i’s Lodge Konele Lodge, located in Lanai is our country in the central portion of the island. This mountain retreat is surrounded by panoramic mountain views and towering pines. The second of Lana’I’s three golf courses is found here.

This golf course, the Experience at Konele, spreads along the base of the mountains and surrounded by vistas of the other Hawaiian Islands, was designed by Greg Norman and has been rated by Conde Nast as the top golfing resort on the planet. The final of the island’s courses is the nine-hole Cavendish course, a public links at which no greens fees are required!

Outside of its two resort areas, Lanai is little more than a 100,000 acre wilderness waiting to be explored. It is only normal roads are in the tiny plantation village of Lanai City, and even there traffic is so light that traffic lights are nonexistent. At 141 square miles, Lanai smallest of Hawaii’s populated islands, and all its three thousand inhabitants live in Lanai City. You can reach by boat from either Maui or Molokai.

The major differences between Lanai and the other Hawaiian Islands is in its plant life. Rather than a lush greenery and towering palms so representative of the other islands, Lanai as towering eucalyptus, keawe trees, and pines. You will not find any black lava rocks on Lanai; instead, you will be walking along red dirt trails, and enjoying views of a midnight blue sea instead of ones of aquamarine shallows.

Where pineapple plantations once flourished on Lanai, there are now vast stands of wild grasses, really in Lantana, and a wide range of indigenous plants. Lana’i’s upcountry abounds with deer, and wild turkeys look curiously out of place in the underbrush surrounding Lana’i’s resorts.

A highlight of any visit to Lana’i is a visit to the Garden of the Gods northwest of Lanai City. Scoured by winners over millions of years, this plateau is the site of hundreds of wildly colored and shaped boulders. Arriving on the plateau in time for sunset will treat you to an unforgettable light show as the rocks become lit from within in shades of gold, violet, and deep red.

If you cannot imagine a trip to the Hawaiian Islands without a day spent at the beach, you will find Hulop’e Beach just a short walk From the Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay. Widely regarded as one of the best beaches in Hawaii, Hulop’e Beach offers safe swimming and snorkeling at any time of the year. There is a wonderful tree shaded beach park ideal for next, and you often glimpse pods of spinner dolphins in the waters of the bay.

Lana’i has miles of primitive roads accessible only on foot or by four-wheel drive. One of the most popular hikes is along the Koliki Ridge, starting directly behind the Lodge at Ko’ele and passing along the Munro Trail. This 5-mile loop will treat you to breathtaking views of Maui, Molokai, and Lana’i’s Naio Gulch. Horseback excursions, including sunset and picnic rides of between one and two hours, are also available from the Stables at Ko’ele.

Your vacation on Lana’i can be as invigorating as a hike in the upcountry, or as quiet as the hidden reflecting pool in the formal gardens of the Lodge at Ko’ele. The only certain thing about it is that it will be different from any other Hawaiian vacation you will ever have!

Myroadtotravel was created in late 2007 as way for my wife and I to do what we love most…Travel. We love to share our experiences with others and have recently created our first blog http://www.myroadtotravelblog.com to help us do just that. Through this blog, we offer travel tips, our own personal experiences/adventures and photos from our vacations. Please stop by and give us your feedback and remember, for all your travel booking needs please visit us at http://www.myroadtotravel.com.

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Tags: Hawaii, Lanai

Lanai Trip

Think about taking a Lanai Trip in Hawaii?

Here are a few facts about Lanai and things to do and places to stay if you do go!

Lānaʻi is the sixth-largest of the Hawaiian Islands.

It is also known as the Pineapple Island because of its past as an island-wide pineapple plantation.

The only town is Lānaʻi City, a small settlement.

The land area is 140.5 square miles, making it the 42nd largest island in the United States.

It is separated from the island of Molokaʻi by the Kalohi Channel to the north, and from Maui by the ʻAuʻau Channel to the east.

The United States Census Bureau lists the population as 3,193 as of the 2000 census.

There are two resort hotels on Lānaʻi, both managed by Four Seasons Hotels: Mānele Bay and the Lodge at Kōʻele.

There is also a small hotel in Lānaʻi City used primarily for people visiting Lānaʻi residents. Hotel Lanai is a quaint bed and breakfast with 11 rooms available to guests.

Hotel Lanai was built in 1923 by James Dole of Dole Pineapple. The hotel was originally built as a lodge to house Dole executives overseeing the islands pineapple production. Hotel Lanai was the islands only hotel until 1990.

Many of the island’s landmarks and sites are located off of dirt roads where four-wheel drive is required.

Tags: Four Seasons Hotels, Hotel Lanai, Lanai, Lodge at Kōʻele, Mānele Bay, Pineapple Island

Must Visit Lanai Attractions

Are you interested in taking a Hawaii vacation, but would you like privacy at the same time? If you so, then Lanai is the perfect destination for you.

It seems as if the Hawaiian Island of Lanai was untouched from most of the commercialization that took place in other popular Hawaii vacation destinations.

Although Lanai is not as popular as Big Island, Maui, Oahu, or Kauai, it is home to a number of must see attractions, a few of which are outlined below.

Although Hawaii is filled with endless green gardens that are home to distinctive, rare flowers and plants, the island of Lanai is known for their Keahiakawelo. Keahiakawelo is also called the “Garden of the Gods.”

Here you will find a beautiful, yet mysterious rock garden. Many of the rocks are stacked to create both small and large towers. According to tourists, the best time to visit Keahiakawelo is around sunset. Due to the terrain, Hawaii’s Official Tourism Site recommends the use of a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

The Munro Trail, located near the well-known Lanai city, is a must visit attraction for those looking for adventure and the perfect sightseeing destination. The Munro Trail is only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles, which can be rented nearby. The trial is a seven mile road of dirt.

Along the way, your breath will be taken away, as there is so much for you to see. Cooke pine trees, the Maunalei Canyon, and the nearby island of Maui can be seen. You will also end up atop of Mount Lanaihale, which according to Hawaii’s Official Tourism website, is the highest peak on the island.

Hulopoe Bay, located on the southern end of Lanai, is often referred to as one of the beast beaches in the United States. In fact, many travel websites and television channels have stated so. Hulopoe Bay, like most beaches of Hawaii, is known for its all-year round activities.

In the summer months, Hulopoe Bay is perfect for swimming, body boarding, snorkeling, and walks along the volcanic rocks. Spinner dolphins are also common seen from the shoreline. Should you visit in the winter, you may be able to spot Humpback whales from the coastline.

While the beauty of Hawaii is a big draw for tourists, so is its rich history. If you would like to learn more about the history and culture of Lanai, you are encouraged to visit the Lanai Cultural and Heritage Center.

The Lanai Cultural and Heritage Center is located in Lanai City. Here you can see documents important to the history of Lanai, as well as Hawaiian artifacts.

If you are looking for privacy and adventure on your next Hawaii vacation then the Polihua Beach is just for you. Unfortunately, the Polihua Beach is only accessible by 4-wheel drive and the ten mile drive can leave some non-adventurers wishing to turn back.

However, once you arrive at Polihua Beach, you will be glad you made the journey. The beach is commonly deserted, often giving you the ultimate level of privacy.

If golfing is a sport that you enjoy or if you have been thinking about taking it up, the Challenge at Manele Clubhouse is the spot for you. The Challenge at Manele Clubhouse is not only heaven for golfers, for those who enjoy sightseeing as well. The golf course is built on natural terrain that includes cliffs, gorges, and ravines.

The Pacific Ocean is viewable from just about every area on the course. Even if other members of your traveling party aren’t golfers, you may find that they want to take up the sport for the day. Yes, the views from this golf course are that good. The onsite restaurant is also known for its great food and amazing view of the ocean.

At first glance, it may seem like Lanai is geared more towards locals than tourists, as the island has basically been left untouched. However, as highlighted above, there is so much for you to do and see on the beautiful, amazing, and relatively private island of Lanai.

Tags: Hulopoe Bay, island of lanai, Keahiakawelo, Lanai Attractions, Lanai City, Maunalei Canyon, Munro Trail, Polihua Beach

Lanai

In this category we will cover everything good about the wonderful island of Lanai.

Lanai use to be known as: “The Pineapple Isle” but since very little pineapple is grown on the island, is is now frequently called the “Secluded Island”.

Tags: Lanai, lanai video