Lanai is a world of wonder and fantasy, truly one of the most unique places on earth. Why else would a king choose it for his summer home? When Kamehameha I arrived on Lanai in 1778, he immediately knew that the tranquility and serenity of Lanai was uncompareable. With eight islands in his kingdom he made Lanai his refuge and sanctuary. At Kahekili’s leap he challenged his warriors to jump from a cliff over eighty feet high, requiring a running start to clear a ledge protruding some twenty feet out into Shark’s Fin Bay. Those who successfully made the jump became the brave fighters who helped conquer the rest of the islands, those who didn’t.... The past three years this site has been the location of the World Cliff Diving Championships (sponsored by Red Bull), and has become known as the “Origin of Cliff Diving.” Only a short hike from here one can visit the archeological site at Kaunolu that was once the king’s summer palace and view well preserved petroglyphs depicting life as it was hundreds of years ago.

There are many other historical sites on Lanai worth exploring like the old sugar plantation village at Keomoku, the dryland forest of Kanepu’u Preserve that is an exclusive home to some of the rarest native Hawaiian plant life, and Polihua Beach which is famous as a nesting place for the endangered ‘ea, or Hawksbill Sea Turtle. For the truly adventurous the Munro Trail is a rugged four wheel drive ridge that runs across the top of the island to Lanaihale, the highest point on the island at an elevation of 3370 feet above sea level. On a clear day this is one of the only places in Hawaii from which one can see five different islands. Most people think of Hawaii for its beaches and pristine waters, and on Lanai Hulopoe Beach is unsurpassed. As a designated marine sanctuary Hulopoe Bay is home to many forms of sea life including spinner dolphins, making it an ideal place for snorkeling and diving. During the winter months Humpback whales use this bay to give birth and nurture their newborns until time to make the long trip back north.

Photographs below are by Ron Gingerich

Not everyone is looking for adventure when visiting Lanai, thus David Murdock (CEO of Dole Foods) has created two of the worlds most luxurious resorts and world-class communities. The Manele Bay Hotel and The Lodge at Koele are consistently ranked among the finest in the world, with Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman designed championship golf courses centering the upscale resort communities. The town homes and custom built single family residences at both locations have provided a lifestyle that have exceeded the expectations of all the individuals who have chosen to make Lanai the best part of their lives. Many of these people have chosen Lanai over the other islands “because of what is NOT here.” There are no stop lights on Lanai, no shopping malls, no fast food restaurants, not even a locksmith because most of the residents don’t feel the need to lock cars or even homes. Lanai is truly the old hometown we all remember and dream about.

There are many other activities to do on Lanai such as horseback riding, sporting clays and archery, hunting for axis deer and muflon sheep, deep sea fishing, sea kayaking, mountain biking, playing tennis, croquet, or lawn bowling, participate in the Lanai Art Program, or one of the favorites for many is to just do nothing. View Lanai's Listings

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