Information
City: LanaiCountry: USA Hawaii
Continent: North America
Lanai, USA Hawaii, North America
Overview
Lānaʻi, the “Pineapple Isle,” is a tiny Hawaiian gem, prized for its seclusion, elegant resorts, and untouched beaches where the sand feels warm under your feet.Less crowded and built-up than its sister Hawaiian islands, Lānaʻi feels like a quiet retreat, where you can hike wind-swept trails in the morning and sink into a plush seaside lounger by afternoon.Lānaʻi, the sixth-largest Hawaiian island, spans roughly 140 square miles and shifts from golden beaches to jagged cliffs, quiet green forests, and stretches of dry, windswept land.Calm, crystal-clear waters wrap around it, the kind that let you see straight to the sandy bottom.Lānaʻi enjoys a tropical climate, with warm air lingering through every season.On Lānaʻi, the south and west shores stay dry, while the north and east feel cooler and lush with greenery.At the island’s heart sits Lānaʻi City, its only town, lined with plantation-style buildings and centered around shady Dole Park, where locals gather near shops, galleries, and cafés.Down on the southern coast, Mānele Bay boasts Hulopoʻe Beach, luxury resorts, crystal-clear snorkeling, and the small boat harbor.To the north lies Keahiakawelo, the Garden of the Gods, where jagged red and orange rock spires glow at sunset.Beneath it all runs a deep thread of Hawaiian mythology and tradition.Once a sacred refuge for Hawaiian royalty, the island later shifted into a very different role-in the 20th century, rows of golden pineapples stretched to the horizon as Lānaʻi became the world’s largest plantation, run by the Dole Food Company.Locals once dubbed it the “Pineapple Isle,” and today most of it belongs to Oracle co‑founder Larry Ellison, who’s poured money into eco‑friendly projects and upscale tourism, from the golden arc of Hulopoʻe Beach-where parrotfish flash through clear water-to the rugged boulder fields of the Garden of the Gods and the quiet stretch of Polihua Beach, with trails, golf courses, cultural festivals, and fresh island dining rounding out the experience.Ferries run between Maui and Lānaʻi, their decks smelling faintly of salt and diesel.The island itself has no public transit at all.You can rent a sturdy 4x4 for exploring the back roads, or hop on a resort shuttle for a smoother ride.On Lānaʻi, the community and its leaders put sustainable tourism first, working hard to protect the island’s rare landscapes and quiet, windswept beaches.Visitors should respect local traditions and take care to leave only faint traces behind-like a single footprint in sand that the tide soon erases.In the end, Lānaʻi calls to travelers who crave privacy, indulgence, and landscapes untouched-like quiet beaches where the only sound is the surf.With its calm breezes and deep sense of history and culture, it’s a standout escape in the Hawaiian Islands.You can hike its rugged trails, sink your toes into soft white sand, or unwind in lavish comfort-whatever you choose, Lānaʻi leaves a lasting impression.
Landmarks in lanai
