Lanai Experiences
Lanai is an island of intriguing contrasts. Two Four Season Resorts pamper you—one along the seaside, the other in the misty mountains—while Hotel Lanai in Lanai City welcomes you with old plantation charm. Whether you’re hiking among native ohia lehua trees on the Munro Trail or making your way to the 18th hole, Lanai is easily Hawaii’s “Most Enticing Island.”
About Lanai
You won’t find a single traffic light here and that’s exactly how the people of Lanai like it. Only nine miles from Maui yet a world away, Lanai can feel like two places. The first is found in luxurious resorts where visitors can indulge in world-class amenities and championship-level golf at the Manele Golf Course and Koele Golf Course. The other is found bouncing along the island’s rugged back-roads in a 4-wheel drive exploring off the beaten path treasures like Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods) and Polihua Beach. In fact, only 30 miles of Lanai’s roads are paved.
The smallest inhabited island in Hawaii, Lanai offers big enticements to its visitors. From the stunning views atop the pine-lined Munro Trail to watching the acrobatic spinner dolphins from romantic Hulopoe Bay, Lanai is a special place where you’re sure to find serenity, adventure and intimacy. If you want to get away from it all, get away to Lanai.
Lanai Geography & Maps
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Lanai is separated into 3 regions: South Lanai, Central Lanai and North Lanai. With 47 miles of coastline, only the southern coast of Hulopoe Bay offers an easily accessible beach. Lanai plateaus in its center creating cooler temperatures in Lanai City (almost 1,700 feet above sea level) and the island’s highest point Lanaihale (3,370 feet). From different locations you can get clear views of the neighboring islands of Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe and, from higher elevations, even Oahu and Big Island. Once called the Pineapple Island, you can still see the open fields where pineapple once grew in the plains of the Palawai Basin. And with only 30 miles of paved roads, many of Lanai’s natural attractions in North Lanai can only be reached with a 4-wheel drive on rocky, unpaved roads.
Lanai FAQs
●Where is the main airport on Lanai？The main airport on Lanai is Lanai Airport (LNY). There is no direct service to Lanai from the continental US. Instead, fly to Honolulu International Airport (HNL) or Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui, where you can connect to several local airlines with service to Lanai Airport. For those flying into Maui, you can travel to Lanai’s Manele Harbor from Maui’s Lahaina Harbor through the Expeditions ferry service. There are 5 round-trips daily. Ferry trips take roughly an hour.
●Do I need a car to get around Lanai？Lanai has a great Island-wide transportation system offered for a nominal fee that is available through the Four Seasons Resorts, Hotel Lanai and Expedition Ferry (to and from Maui). The island shuttle offers an easy way to get from the airport to the hotels in Lanai City and Hulopoe Bay, the beautiful golf courses, and the Expedition Ferry. The shuttle is convenient and runs frequently.
●Where are the major hotel and resort areas on Lanai？Lanai has two world-class resorts, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, and the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Lodge at Koele. The historic Hotel Lanai can be found in Lanai City.
●What should I pack on my trip to Lanai？The weather on Lanai is regularly warm and dry. Because of its location, the island does not get as much rain as the others. Bring a light jacket since Lanai City sits at nearly 1,700 feet, where the warmest months reach about 72º. Temperatures at Manele and Hulopoe Bay are usually about 10º to 12º warmer.
●How far is it from Lanai Airport (LNY) to：Lanai City: 10 minutes
Hulopoe Bay: 25 minutes
Kaiolohia (Shipwreck Beach): 40 minutes
Lanai Weather
The weather on Lanai is pleasant and drier than other islands, receiving only about 37 inches of rainfall per year. Temperatures range from 70º to 85º F. Lanai City sits at nearly 1,700 feet, where the warmest months reach about 72º F so don’t forget to bring a jacket. Temperatures at Hulopoe Bay are usually about 10º to 12º higher allowing you to experience the best of both worlds.
Lanai History
Uninhabited until the 1500’s, Lanai was always a place of mystery even to Native Hawaiians. Legends tell the story of a challenge between kahuna (priests) that scorched the earth of Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods), explaining some of the otherworldly terrain of the island. Lanai was a sovereign land until King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian islands into one royal monarchy in 1810. The ruins of Kamehameha’s favorite summer fishing retreat can still be seen in South Lanai. Called Kaunolu, this sacred spot and fishing village has been registered as a National Historic Landmark.