Lanai

 

(lənī') , island, 141 sq mi (365 sq km), central Hawaii, W of Maui island across the Auau Channel; Mt. Lanaihale (3,370 ft/1,027 m) is the island's highest point. For many years the island was used for sugarcane raising and cattle grazing. In 1922 it was purchased by a pineapple company and developed as a pineapple-growing center. Lanai City (1990 pop. 2,400) and Kaumalapau port are on the island. In 1961, 98% of the island became the property of the Castle and Cooke Co., with plans to designate a large majority of Lanai for the development of forests, meadows, and some agriculture.

Lānaʻi The Pineapple Isle or Secluded Isle
Landsat satellite image of Lānaʻi
Geography
Location in the state of Hawaii
Location	20°50′N, 156°56′W
Area	140.5 sq mi (364 km²)
Rank	6th largest Hawaiian Island
Highest point	Lānaʻihale   3,366 ft (1,026 m)[1]
Demographics
Population	3,193 (as of 2000)
Density	23/sq mi (9/km²)
Official Insignia[1]
Flower	Kaunaʻoa
Color	Alani (Orange)

Lānaʻi (IPA: [lɑːnɑʔi]) 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 Lānaʻi 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 Molokaʻi by the Kalohi Channel to the north, and from Maui by the ʻAuʻau Channel to the east. The United States Census Bureau defines Lānaʻi 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 Lānaʻi, and developed a large portion of it into the world's largest pineapple plantation.

In 1985, Lānaʻi passed into the control of David H. Murdock, as a result of his purchase of Castle & Cooke.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Hawaii

Tourism on Lānaʻi started more recently as the pineapple industry was phased out in the islands.

There are two resort hotels on Lānaʻi, both managed by Four Seasons Hotels: Mānele Bay and the Lodge at Kōʻele. The latter is unusual for a resort in Hawaiʻi in that it is located inland rather than near the beach. There is also a small hotel in Lānaʻi City used primarily for people visiting Lānaʻi residents. Both resorts have golf courses, and are managed by Four Seasons.

Places to visit

• Puu Pehe, a.k.a. "Sweetheart Rock", 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, on the south east side of the island.

• Lanai was the site of a kayaking challenge in the finale of The Amazing Race All Stars

Gallery

View of a former Lanai pineapple field, now a field of grass	View of some local houses in Lanai City	View of Garden of the Gods	Garden of the Gods (another view)
Mountains on Lanai	Shipwreck Beach sign	View of East Molokai from Shipwreck Beach, Lanai.	View of the shipwreck at Shipwreck Beach
The Stables at Ko'ele	View of Outer Lanai City from the Stables at Ko'ele	Hotel Lanai	Hole 17 at the Experience at Ko'ele golf course
The Lodge at Ko'ele

External links

• Page on the Puu Pehe legend.
• Page on Keahikawelo.
• Lanai Travel Guide

References

	State of Hawaii Honolulu (capital)
Topics	Culture | Geography | Government | History | Music | Politics | People
Main Islands	Hawaii | Kahoolawe | Kauai | Lanai | Maui | Molokai | Niihau | Oahu
Northwestern Islands	French Frigate Shoals | Gardner | Kure | Laysan | Lisianski | Maro Reef | Necker | Nihoa | Pearl and Hermes
Communities	Hilo | Honolulu | Kahului | Kaneohe | Waipahu | Lihue | Pearl City
Counties	Hawaii | Honolulu | Kalawao | Kauai | Maui

Coordinates: 20°50′N, 156°56′W

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