Island of Lānaʻi
A pristine, remote island across the channel from Maui, Hawaii, you will find the gorgeous island of Lānaʻi. The island of Lānaʻi was once home to the largest pineapple plantation in the world. The island transitioned into a tourist destination in the early 1990s, visited by thousands annually today. In 2012, Oracle tech billionaire Larry Ellison purchased 98% of the island from former owner David H. Murdock. Since the land purchase, Larry Ellison has renovated both Four Seasons Lānaʻi hotel properties, started construction of his 5-estate compound, and bought the island’s only gas station. Check out the below aerial photographs of this magnificent island.
Lānaʻi City
The small town of Lānaʻi City sits at an elevation of 1,700 feet. It has a population of only 3,332 people, according to the 2020 Census. Plantation homes throughout the town serve as a reminder of what conditions were like during the pineapple days.
Getting to Lānaʻi on Expeditions Passenger Ferry
Expeditions Ferry is navigating the coast of Lānaʻi, Hawaii, heading for Manele Small Boat Harbor. This ferry service has been a lifeline for the people who live, work, and visit the island for over 30 years.
A mother humpback whale and her calf off the coast of Lānaʻi, Hawaii.
As you travel through the Auʻau channel, donʻt forget to look out for the whales that travel to Hawaii during the winter months.
Manele Small Boat Harbor
When arriving on the island of Lānaʻi by passenger ferry, you will come through Manele Small Boat Harbor. Hulopoʻe Bay is located just a short walk away.
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary
Today, the Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary is home to over 650 cats, all from the island of Lānaʻi.
People from all around the world visit Lānaʻi just to see the cats.
Our famous Norfolk and Cook Island Pine Trees
Planted on the island of Lānaʻi in 1878, the Cook Island pines stand tall and mightly for as far as the eye can see. George Munro, who worked and managed the cattle ranch for Lanai Company, saw the benefits of how the trees absorbed the fog and clouds, producing consistent drips of water onto the soil. Today, you can see the result of George Munroʻs courage and desire for conservation as the trees still collect much-needed moisture from the mystic clouds that pass through them on Lānaʻiʻs hale.
Pālāwai Basin
The Cook Island pine trees planted along the highway in the Pālāwai Basin.
As the island was formed, weaknesses developed along the slopes, creating rift zones running northwest, southwest, and south.
These rift zones met at the island’s center, creating a collapsed caldera (large crater), which is now known as the “Pālāwai Basin.”
Driving through will be met with hundreds of Cook Island pine trees planted along the roadside. Four Seasons Lānaʻi Resort uses plush Mercedes Sprinter Vans for airport, harbor, and resort transfers.
The ancient Hawaiians found that the rich soil in the Lānaʻiʻs Pālāwai basin could sustain their crops. The land was home to many unique Hawaiian species of plants and birds, some of them endemic—only found on Lāna’i. Most of the little valleys on the mountainside were host to freshwater springs fed by the fog and cloud drip captured by the once rich forest watershed.
Pineapple on Lānaʻi.
Lānaʻi used to be the number one exporter of pineapple globally, sending off 65,000 tons of it annually by 1930. The industry was started after James Drummond Dole purchased the island of Lānaʻi in 1922 for $1.1 million.
Pineapple production dwindled away as competition elsewhere ate away at profits as the years went on. It ended in 1992 after the island was acquired by David Murdock. Today, you will find brittle plastic buried within the former agricultural fields.
The Lodge at Kōʻele isnʻt the same.
Built-in the 1990s, you were greeted by a large pineapple mural as you drove up the main drive. The lodge featured a beautiful orchid greenhouse garden, reflecting pond, and stunning fireplace within the main lobby. In January 2015, the resort closed for extensive renovations. It reopened on November 1, 2019, as Sensei Lānaʻi, a health and wellness resort featuring 92 rooms and 4 suites. This Four Seasons Resort is exclusively for adults only.
YOGN-42
On the North-East side of Lānaʻi, you will discover a ship a shipwreck of the YOGN-42 Navy Ship. Built-in December of 1942, the United States Navy put the vessel into service on May 23, 1943, assigning it to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
The YOGN-42 has taken a beating on the coast of Lānaʻi, rusting away into the pacific ocean
Polihua Beach
This secluded beach features stunning views of Moloka’i island and is only accessible by a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Though beautiful, the ocean currents at Polihua are strong and deadly. It is encouraged to stay out of the water.
Dole Park and around the square.
Within the heart of Lānaʻi City, Dole Park was established in the 1920s during the start of the Pineapple era. Towering Cook Island pine trees in case the park, along with an open grassy area that has been home to many festivals and celebrations; Pineapple Festival, charity walks, and 5th Friday, to name a few.
The Four Seasons Beach Resort
Just above the pristine beach of Hulopoʻe Bay, The Four Seasons Lānaʻi Resort features stellar accommodations.
Soon after the purchase of Lānaʻi by billionaire Larry Ellison, the resort underwent a massive $450 million renovation, reopening in 2016.
Larry Ellisonʻs compound is under construction.
Located along the coast near Hulopoʻe Bay, the construction of Larry Ellisonʻs compound has finally started to take shape. This five-building estate goes below grade, digging deep into the terrain. During the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, Larry Ellison announced he was now a full-time resident of Lānaʻi.
Lānaʻi Airport
Located just over 3 miles from Lānaʻi City, Hawaii, Lānaʻi Airport is served by only one commercial airline. Mokulele Airlines, which operates single-engine Cessna Grand Caravans, services the island daily, moving passengers between Honolulu and Kahului.
Societies elite routinely flock to the airport on their private jets from the U.S. mainland.
Civilian, commercial, and military aircraft frequent the airport for flight training.
Barge day at Kaumalapau boat harbor on Lānaʻi, Hawaii
Located west of Lānaʻi Airport, the island receives most freight through this port. Young Brothers Hawaii services the island, providing transport of much-needed products, including perishables, dry cargo, automobiles, etc.
Today, the Kaumalapau harbor break wall features 819 white 35-ton jack concrete blocks protecting the port installed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2007.
Hulopoʻe Bay
Rated the best beach in Hawaii by USA Today in 2015, this beautiful bay never ceases to amaze.
Hulopoʻe Bay is a Marine Sanctuary and is often visited by dolphins who enter the area for rest. If you see them, keep your distance, as disturbing them is illegal.
The pristine reef requires oversight, as many sunscreens contain reef bleaching agents and harm our environment. It is asked you use reef-safe sunscreens when visiting Hawaii.
Hulopoʻe Beach Park
Owned and managed by Larry Ellisonʻs company, Lānaʻi Resorts, LLC, this private beach park hosts picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and showers. Be sure to pick up after yourself when you leave.
Puu Pehe or Sweetheart Rock
Located just a short walk away from Hulopoʻe Bay, you will find this magnificent rock called “Puupehe” or “Sweetheart Rock.”
Shaped like a heart, this iconic landmark is home to thousands of proposals from people worldwide.
Conclusion
The island of Lānaʻi is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you enjoyed this, please like, share, and comment below.
Mahalo!