The Island of Lana'i - Hawaii's Smallest Island Wonder

If your idea of the perfect Hawaiian getaway iswill not find any black lava rocks on Lanai; instead,
to find an island where the days pass in slowyou will be walking along red dirt trails, and
motion, and you will return home relaxed insteadenjoying views of a midnight blue sea instead of
of exhausted, then Lana' i should be your island ofones of aquamarine shallows.
choice. Although Lanai resembles the AustralianWhere pineapple plantations once flourished on
outback more closely than it does the tropicalLanai, there are now vast stands of wild grasses,
paradise you will find on many of the otherreally in Lantana, and a wide range of indigenous
Hawaiian Islands, its many natural wonders willplants. Lana'i's upcountry abounds with deer, and
give you plenty to do during your stay.wild turkeys look curiously out of place in the
Manele Bay is the island of Lana'i's nod to modernunderbrush surrounding Lana'i's resorts.
tourism. Located on the south east coast ofA highlight of any visit to Lana'i is a visit to the
Lanai, the bay and harbor offers swimming,Garden of the Gods northwest of Lanai City.
boating, and off-island excursions. The bay is theScoured by winners over millions of years, this
site of the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, the majorplateau is the site of hundreds of wildly colored
resort on the island. This resort offers everythingand shaped boulders. Arriving on the plateau in
you would expect from a four-star hotel, includingtime for sunset will treat you to an unforgettable
a JackNicklaus-designed championship golf course.light show as the rocks become lit from within in
The four seasons also operates Lana'i's Lodgeshades of gold, violet, and deep red.
Konele Lodge, located in Lanai is our country inIf you cannot imagine a trip to the Hawaiian
the central portion of the island. This mountainIslands without a day spent at the beach, you will
retreat is surrounded by panoramic mountainfind Hulop'e Beach just a short walk From the
views and towering pines. The second of Lana'I'sFour Seasons Resort at Manele Bay. Widely
three golf courses is found here.regarded as one of the best beaches in Hawaii,
This golf course, the Experience at Konele,Hulop'e Beach offers safe swimming and
spreads along the base of the mountains andsnorkeling at any time of the year. There is a
surrounded by vistas of the other Hawaiianwonderful tree shaded beach park ideal for next,
Islands, was designed by Greg Norman and hasand you often glimpse pods of spinner dolphins in
been rated by Conde Nast as the top golfingthe waters of the bay.
resort on the planet. The final of the island'sLana'i has miles of primitive roads accessible only
courses is the nine-hole Cavendish course, a publicon foot or by four-wheel drive. One of the most
links at which no greens fees are required!popular hikes is along the Koliki Ridge, starting
Outside of its two resort areas, Lanai is little moredirectly behind the Lodge at Ko'ele and passing
than a 100,000 acre wilderness waiting to bealong the Munro Trail. This 5-mile loop will treat
explored. It is only normal roads are in the tinyyou to breathtaking views of Maui, Molokai, and
plantation village of Lanai City, and even thereLana'i's Naio Gulch. Horseback excursions, including
traffic is so light that traffic lights are nonexistent.sunset and picnic rides of between one and two
At 141 square miles, Lanai smallest of Hawaii'shours, are also available from the Stables at
populated islands, and all its three thousandKo'ele.
inhabitants live in Lanai City. You can reach byYour vacation on Lana'i can be as invigorating as a
boat from either Maui or Molokai.hike in the upcountry, or as quiet as the hidden
The major differences between Lanai and thereflecting pool in the formal gardens of the Lodge
other Hawaiian Islands is in its plant life. Ratherat Ko'ele. The only certain thing about it is that it
than a lush greenery and towering palms sowill be different from any other Hawaiian vacation
representative of the other islands, Lanai asyou will ever have!
towering eucalyptus, keawe trees, and pines. You