Lanai Facts
You will probably arrive on Lanai aboard an
Island Air Dash-8 turboprop plane. Be prepared to walk down the plane's
steps because there are no jet ways at Lanai airport. The airport
consists of one small boarding area and a gift shop. There is an
agricultural inspection station so you can check your bags direct to the
U.S. mainland or international destination.
Nicknamed The Pineapple Island, Lanai was
once the home of the world's largest
pineapple plantation. The quiet island is now the home of two luxury resorts which
offer world class accommodations in a truly secluded environment. The only town on the island is Lanai City
where most of the island's 3,200 residents live. It is located 1,600
feet above sea level which tends to keep it cool The island has less
than 30 miles of paved roads which means much of it can only be discovered by hiking or a
4-wheel drive vehicle.
Manele Bay and Hulopo'e Bay are designated as
marine preserves and are among the best snorkeling and diving locations in
the islands. Spinner dolphins often come to play in Hulopo'e Bay not
too far off shore. The island also offers two excellent golf courses, the
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Shipwreck Beach with Molokai in the Background
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rugged landscape called the Garden of the Gods, miles of deserted beaches,
and the Munro Trail which must be explored by hiking or with a 4-wheel drive
vehicle.
As the pressure and
stress of daily responsibilities, deadlines, and problems mount and make you
yearn for somewhere to get away from it all, Lanai is a place to relax and
regain a sense of inner tranquility. Here you can reward yourself with
quiet time to read a novel while being pampered with excellent service at
one of the resorts. It is truly a remote getaway but Maui is
only a short ferry ride away for those who would like to spend a day shopping or
have variety in
sightseeing or golf and then return to this remote paradise.
A long weekend on the island of Lanai. In
April, 2005 we spent four days on Lanai and recommend it highly. Here
are some highlights of the trip. They aren't in order of importance
because everything was great!
- The Manele Bay Hotel sets atop low cliffs overlooking beautiful
Hulopo'e Beach. When we checked in, we were upgraded to an ocean
front room with a knock-out view from the lanai.
- The view from the room was striking, but we spent most of our days
at the beach, or beside the pool. Complimentary lounges and
umbrellas for hotel guests.
- Snorkeling was good on the left side of the beach, although you had
to swim out about 100 yards for the clearest water.
- The spinner dolphins in Hulopo'e Bay were often close to shore.
If you swam out about 100 - 150 yards from the beach and waited, the
dolphins swam around and below you. Once, they were so close that
when one of them jumped from the water and spun around, it splashed us
when it hit the water
- The restaurants at the Manele Bay Hotel were very good, but the
best dinner during the trip was at Henry Clay's Rotisserie. They
have a large selection on the menu, but the prime ribeye steak was
excellent. Ask for Greg if you want superb service, or if you're
interested in real estate on Lanai.
- There were many other great things about the trip, such as a short
hike to Pu'upehe near Hulopo'e, Hawaiian music and hula at the Great
Hall of Ko'ele Lodge performed by employees of the resorts, and live
music, drinks, and visiting with other guests at the managers reception
at the Hale Ale Ale (House of Gentle Breezes) lounge.
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