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Lanai
Tourism only came to the former pineapple plantation of Lanai in the 1990s, and the island remains one of the best places to get a taste of everyday Hawaiian life. But it also offers otherworldly beauty, with dramatic landscapes and ocean views to infinity. Welcome to one of the most unspoiled parts of the Aloha State.
Activities and Attractions:
Tiny Lanai has three distinct parts: inland Lanai City, the only real town on the island (population: a whopping 3,200); the cool, forested Koele region; and the quintessential white-sand, swaying palm enclave of Manele. It’s easy to experience all three on your visit, though you’ll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to really get into the upcountry.
You might wonder what there is to see inland on a Hawaiian island, but there’s plenty. Don’t miss the Garden of the Gods, a Technicolor moonscape of jagged volcanic rock formations in every color of the Southwestern rainbow. There’s also the Luahiwa Petroglyph Field just outside Lanai City, and the equally haunting ruined royal compound of Kaunolu Village. The inland hills offer 100 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, including the famed Munro Trail, where you can see five Hawaiian islands at once.
Lanai also boasts 18 miles of uncrowded sandy beaches. Manele is the place to kick back under a palm with an umbrella drink. The protected waters of Hulopoe Bay enthrall divers and snorkelers alike. In addition, the shoreline here is a tidepooler’s dream. Dramatic Shipwreck Beach does indeed have its own rusting hulk (the reef-bound Liberty), and is one of the best places in the Pacific for both beachcombing and whale watching.
Insider Tip:
Though it’s tempting to pronounce “Lanai” like the word meaning “porch,” you’ll hear locals pronounce it as three syllables, with a glottal stop between the last two letters: Luh-NIGH-ee. Give it a try—you’ll likely get props for making the effort.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
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