(Redirected from Lāna‘i)
'Lānai' (
IPA: ) is the sixth-largest of the
Hawaiian Islands. It is also known as the 'Pineapple Island' because of its past as an
island-wide
pineapple plantation. The only town is
Lānai City, a small settlement.
The island is somewhat comma-shaped, with a width of 18 miles in the longest direction. The land area is 140.5 square miles (364 km²).
[2] It is separated from the island of
Molokai by the
Kalohi Channel to the north, and from
Maui by the
Auau Channel to the east. The
United States Census Bureau defines Lānai as
Census Tract 316 of
Maui County. Its total population was 3,193 as of the
2000 census.
[3]. Many of the islands landmarks and sites are located off of dirt roads where
four wheel drive is required.
History
Lānai was first seen by Europeans on
February 25,
1779, when
Captain Charles Clerke sighted the island from aboard
James Cook's
HMS ''Resolution''. Clerke had taken command of the ship after Cook was killed at
Kealakekua Bay on
February 14, and was leaving the islands for the
North Pacific.
In
1922,
James Dole, the president of Hawaiian Pineapple Company (later renamed to
Dole Food Company), bought the entire island of Lānai, and developed a large portion of it into the world's largest pineapple plantation.
In
1985, Lānai passed into the control of
David H. Murdock, as a result of his purchase of
Castle & Cooke.
Tourism
Main articles: Tourism in Hawaii
Tourism on Lānai started more recently as the pineapple industry was phased out in the islands.
There are two resort
hotels on Lānai, both managed by
Four Seasons Hotels: Mānele Bay and the Lodge at Kōʻele. The latter is unusual for a resort in Hawaii in that it is located inland rather than near the
beach. There is also a small hotel in Lānai City used primarily for people visiting Lānai residents. Both resorts have
golf courses, and are managed by Four Seasons.
Places to visit
★ Puu Pehe, a.k.a. "Sweetheart Rock". Puu Pehe is situated about 150 feet offshore between Manele Bay and Hulopoe Bay along the island’s southern coastline. It is one of Lanai’s most recognizable landmarks and also the setting for one of Hawaii’s most enduring legends.
★ Keahikawelo, also known as "Garden of the Gods" is characterized by boulders of varying sizes, shapes and colors. They are the result of thousands of years of erosion.
Trivia
★ The largest private residence on the island is a mansion owned by
billionaire David H. Murdock. It is located next to Mānele Bay, facing
Kaanapali on the island of Maui.
★ Lanai was the site of a kayaking challenge in the finale of
''The Amazing Race All Stars''
Gallery
External links
★
Page on the Puu Pehe legend.
★
Page on Keahikawelo.
★
Lanai Travel Guide
References
1. Table 5.11 - Elevations of Major Summits
2. Table 5.08 - Land Area of Islands: 2000
3. Census Tract 316, Maui County United States Census Bureau