Subscribe to our atom formatted newsfeed
|
Lanai: The Secluded Island
Until recently, few visitors were likely to see more of Lana'i than its
mysterious volcanic silhouette framing the sunset from the mai tai lounges
of West Maui resorts. Some had heard of "The Pineapple Island." Some sailed
over for day trips, to enjoy a remote beach or excellent diving. But most
just passed it by.
Even Hawaii residents knew little about Lana'i, other than its fame as the
world's largest pineapple plantation and one of the state's best hunting
areas. In any event, only a handful of visitors could be accommodated on
the private island.
With the advent of two spectacular luxury resort hotels, there is reason
to stop and more ways to discover an island that's been lost in time. This
is a place for the people who seek the old Hawaii, where there are few
buildings and fewer roads, where deer out number humans and beaches have
no footprints. The pineapple plantation of yesterday is becoming the
exclusive resort of tomorrow, at a prudent pace.
Lana'i is anachronistic in contemporary Hawaii, by virtue of its isolation
and unusual history, and visitors should be aware that some things are
lacking. Lana'i has no high-rise hotels or office buildings, no traffic
jams, no tours buses, no shopping centers, no stop lights, no all-night
discos, no golden arches and no crowds. The inconveniences of modern
life have been held at bay, allowing visitors and residents alike to
experience Hawaii as it once was, on tropical time, to allow for enjoying
life and one another. A plantation speed limit sign admonishes,
"Be Careful. Go Slow."
As a plantation population, Lana'i was aging dramatically. Children
reaching adulthood were encourage to leave the island and seek a
better future than the inevitable pineapple fields. Now a remarkable
transition has begun. Workers are leaving the fields, learning new skills
and becoming employees of the resorts or other new enterprises. With more
choices, some of those who left are returning home to take some of the
new jobs -- and enjoy the old lifestyle.
The lifestyle is family-oriented and out-of-doors. Lana'ians have
grown up enjoying the same gifts of the Island -- fishing, hunting,
riding, hiking, four-wheeling, golfing, swimming, beachcombing,
exploring --available to visitors. Some Lana'i City houses display
antler racks alongside marlin tails, attesting to the plentiful bounty
to be reaped from local hunting and fishing.
Visitors to Lana'i can also ride trails along the mountain ridge,
enjoy views of deep gorges below, challenge their golf prowess on
scenic championship courses, play on the beach, sail off to snorkel
or watch the whales in winter, or just soak up local color.
At the new Manele Bay Hotel, on a cliff overlooking Hulopo'e bay,
the path to the beach leads through an ancient Hawaiian village site.
Hulopo'e beach, with crystalline waters and white sand shaded by palms,
is shared by guests and islanders. Would-be country squires will
be in their element at The Lodge at Koele, a comfortable estate-like
hotel amid cool upland forests and broad green lawns. Accommodations
may also be found at the cozy Lana'i Hotel, a rustic eleven-room
country inn and at several bed and breakfasts.
See also:
More Lanai Articles
|
Related Links
Lanai Island - Main Menu
The Islands of Hawaii
Forum for Visitors to Hawaii
Hawaii Travel Newsletter
|
|
Subscribe to our Atom formatted newsfeed
|
