When we think of Hawaii, we think of beaches, tropical paradises, days relaxing in the sun in the mild climate. Most people think first of the island of Oahu and Honolulu, the geographic and political center of the Hawaiian Islands. However, there are many other islands besides Oahu which offer wonders just as amazing as those of Oahu or even Maui or Kauai.

Nestled between Molokai and Maui, Lanai is the smallest of the populated Hawaiian isles (save Niihau, which is not open to tourism). Lanai's population is only 2500 people, the majority of whom live in Lanai City in the center of the island.

Lanai is unique among the Hawaiian Islands. Views from atop its many cliffs often include the many islands surrounding it, perhaps the best of all the islands from which to view neighboring isles. It also gains a unique stamp from the Cook Island Pine trees that litter the island. These trees are a strong part of the island's flavor, and were first imported in the early 20th century by New Zealander George C. Munro, for whom the Munro Trail is named. For a century the people of Lanai served the Dole Company’s nearly island-wide pineapple plantation. Since Lanai’s takeover by the Castle & Cooke Corporation, the economy has begun to change from agriculture to tourism.

Because of its small size and relative exclusion, Lanai is the least visited of the Hawaiian islands. This offers visitors a chance to relish in the wonders of the island uninhibited by the large numbers of tourists one would find on the more popular isles. Uninhabited beaches, isolated trails, unspoiled beauty all mark the face of Lanai.

Lanai City

Lanai City is the heart of the island of Lanai. Not only is it the home of the majority of the island’s residents, it is also the political center of the island. For most visitors of Lanai it is also the springboard for their Lanai adventures, housing most of the hotels and resorts available on the island.

Lanai City is built in the tradition of the old plantation towns, and this feel exudes from the city. The city is built around Dole Park, a beautiful park which is lined with frontier shops for tourists. Also on the edge of the park is the Hotel Lanai, a remnant of the island’s plantation era built in 1923.

Other lodging available in the city includes the Lodge at Koele, a grand award winning resort standing at the old headquarters of the Lanai Ranch.

Manele and Hulupo’e Bays

On the southern end of the island one finds the most beautiful and tropical part of Lanai, where the twin bays Manele and Hulupo’e are located.

The Manele Bay Hotel is actually located above Hulupo’e Bay; however this unfortunate name does not lessen its beauty. Of all the hotels on Lanai, the Manele Bay Hotel might very well be the most beautiful and luxurious, although also one of the most expensive.

Boat traffic in the bays is greatly restricted, making it a perfect haven for swimming and snorkeling. Manele Bay is one of the best sites in Hawaii for snorkeling, and is much less crowded than better known Hawaiian snorkeling sites such as Hanauma Bay on Oahu.

Between the two bays is a rock famous in local legend known as Pu’u Pehe, or Sweetheart Rock. According to the legend, the beautiful Pehe was kept in a cave on the edge of the ocean so that she could not escape her jealous husband or fall into the arms of another man. Unfortunately a fierce storm arose, drowning Pehe. Her husband buried her on the rock island of Pu’u Pehe then leapt to his own death.

Ancient Hawaiian History

Lanai offers visitors a glimpse at the mysterious past of the Hawaiian people. Only two miles south of Lanai City lies the Palawai Basin. This basin, the remains of the extinct volcano which created the island of Lanai, carries on its eastern wall some of the best preserved and largest collections of petroglyphs in all of Hawaii.

These petroglyphs, some of which are at least 500 years old, are drawn upon large black stones protruding from the sharp red eastern wall of the basin. The glyphs include images of humans and dogs, as well as more recent images of horses and surfers.

Further to the south of Lanai City lies the fishing village of Kaunolu. This village, abandoned by the Hawaiians in the mid 19th Century, provides visitors with a unique glimpse into the everyday life of the ancient Hawaiian peoples.

Northern Lanai

Perhaps one of the most spectacular spots of the island of Lanai is the Garden of the Gods. It is truly a foreign landscape amidst the green beauty of Lanai, marked by its rust red earth. Littered with stones and fascinating rock formations, looking upon the Garden of the Gods is like looking upon an alien world.

Only 6 miles northwest of Lanai City, the Garden of the Gods is also in close proximity to Polihua Beach. This beautiful beach is rarely used by locals or visitors. If you dream of beautiful beaches that belong only to yourself, Polihua Beach may be the beach for you.

To the north and east of the Garden of the Gods lays Shipwreck Beach. This 8 mile long beach is named for the World War II era boat that lies wrecked on the reef. This is not the only ship that has been wrecked in the hazardous northern waters of the island; many ships have met their end upon this reef. Unfortunately the waters of Shipwreck Beach are equally dangerous for swimmers.

Coming to and Getting Around in Lanai

These are only some of the attractions that the island of Lanai has to offer visitors, and it is growing all the time. Other attractions would include the beautiful Munro Trail that offers spectacular views of 5 of the surrounding islands.

Part of the reason for the seclusion of the island of Lanai is the difficulty in getting there. Unlike most of the other Hawaiian Islands, including Molokai which is the next smallest to Lanai, Lanai has no airport. In order to get to the island one must travel by ferry from Lahaina in Maui to Manele Bay.

There is no public transportation in Lanai, and renting of a vehicle is crucial in order to get around. Because there is less than 30 miles of paved road on the island, a four-wheel drive vehicle is best. Some areas, such as the Munro Trail just mentioned require a four-wheel drive vehicle in order to navigate.

Despite these difficulties, Lanai can offer a truly amazing experience away from the hustle and bustle of the normal Hawaiian vacation. If you are seeking something new and exciting on your own Hawaiian vacation, Lanai may very well be the island for you.