Information
Landmark: Garden of GodsCity: Lanai
Country: USA Hawaii
Continent: North America
Garden of Gods, Lanai, USA Hawaii, North America
Overview
On Lanai, Hawaii, the Garden of the Gods-called Keahiakawelo in Hawaiian-unfolds as a strange, mesmerizing landscape of rust-colored rock and wind-carved shapes, consequently about 45 minutes northwest of Lanai City, you’ll find a striking landscape of barren red rock, its colors glowing in the sun and its cliffs opening to sweeping views of the nearby islands, mildly Main Features and Standout Highlights, like the bright red button that catches your eye, moreover the Garden of the Gods, or Keahiakawelo in Hawaiian, spreads out in a maze of jagged lava rocks and scattered boulders, their deep reds and oranges glowing in the sun like embers.Centuries of wind and weather carved these shapes, leaving a stark, almost Martian expanse underfoot, also hawaiian legend tells of two priests-one from Lanai, the other from Molokai-locked in a contest to witness whose fire would burn the longest, a rivalry said to have forged this barren, otherworldly land.Keahiakawelo, or “The Fire of Kawelo,” honors a priest from Lanai and reflects the deep bond between nature and spirituality in Hawaiian culture, in conjunction with from the Garden of the Gods, you can spot Molokai, Maui, and-on those crystal-clear days-even the Big Island.At sunrise or sunset, the rocks glow with warm reds and golds, as if lit from within, also hiking through the Garden of the Gods, you can wander at your own pace, tracing red sandstone paths and discovering hidden rock formations.Visitors can weave through the towering rock formations, pausing to take in the rugged landscape, on top of that follow the trails and you’ll find lookout points with sweeping views of distant islands and the glittering ocean.The bold colors and sharp contrasts-red cliffs against deep blue water-make it a dream spot for photographers, in addition catch the glow of sunrise or the fiery streaks of sunset-they’re the most photogenic times to be there.Pause to take in the island’s legends and the deep cultural meaning the venue holds for the Hawaiian people, treating it with the respect it deserves, moreover the Garden of the Gods sits about seven miles from Lanai City, reached by way of Polihua Road, more or less You’ll need a 4WD vehicle-the road’s unpaved, and in places it rattles you over loose red dirt and stones, as a result it’s best to rent a 4WD or join a guided tour, as the land here is bone-dry with barely a scrap of shade.Frankly, Pack water and sunscreen, and wear sturdy shoes-the rocky ground can twist an ankle if you’re not careful, and don’t expect restrooms or any other facilities; there’s nothing but open sky and stone.Plan ahead-this is a remote, untouched spot, in turn go at sunrise or sunset when the light turns the rocks copper and the air stays cool.Leave every stone where it rests; the land holds deep geological and cultural meaning, not only that make sure your car’s in good shape and pack a spare tire, since the roads are rough.While you’re here, you can wander to Polihua Beach for quiet ocean views, observe the weathered remains of a WWII Liberty Ship off Shipwreck Beach, or explore Lanai City’s shops and cafés, equally important the Garden of the Gods offers a striking mix of vivid colors, strange rock formations, Hawaiian legends, and wide, empty vistas over the Pacific-perfect for those who crave beauty, history, and solitude.
