You’ve heard of Honolulu, now set your sights on Lanai Island

Lanai could also be finest recognized for 2 luxurious resorts owned by Oracle software program billionaire Larry Ellison, however for Kiwi travellers there are extra inexpensive methods to discover Hawaii’s sixth-largest island. Farewell Oahu, we’re off to Hawaii’s lesser-known Lanai Island, writes Brett Atkinson.

What to see

Though Workforce New Zealand’s America’s Cup nemesis in 2010 and 2013 owns 98 per cent of Lanai, a lot of the 364sq km island might be accessed by guests. Begin by exploring tiny Lanai Metropolis, a grand identify for Lanai’s solely settlement, and a reminder of when the Dole Company grew pineapples right here till the Nineteen Eighties. Historic Nineteen Twenties plantation homes now characteristic cafes and eating places, and compact Dole Park is framed by Norfolk and Cook dinner pines launched from Norfolk Island and New Caledonia. From Lanai Metropolis, it’s 8km south to considered one of Hawaii’s finest seashores at Hulopoe Bay. A 1km path on the southern finish of the cove results in Manele Bay and spectacular views of Puu Pehe, also referred to as Sweetheart Rock, and the inspiration for an area legend involving star-crossed lovers. Different seashores to discover embrace remoted Halepalaoa on Lanai’s east coast. You’ll want a 4WD to get right here however stay up for views throughout to Maui. From December to April, breaching humpback whales are a typical sight. Additional north, Shipwreck Seashore options the rusted hulk of a World Battle II navy gas tanker – really beached right here intentionally – and greater than 10 different vessels that foundered right here.

What to do

Outfitted with a high-clearance 4WD, one other favorite Lanai vacation spot is Keahiakawelo. Also called the “Backyard of the Gods”, this uncovered plateau within the island’s northwest was fashioned by a volcanic eruption, and the windswept panorama of sienna- and terracotta-hued rock formations is a reasonably good South Pacific stand-in for Mars. Additionally value exploring is the huge archaeological website of Kaunolu, excessive above Lanai’s sea cliffs on the island’s southwestern tip. The stays of an historical Hawaiian village embrace a sacred temple, and close by, at Kahekili’s Leap, Hawaiian warriors examined their bravery by leaping 25m into the ocean under. Lanai’s trendy leap of religion is now on the zipline crossing Kaiholena Gulch on the Lanai Journey Park. Guided e-mountain bike excursions leaving from the park are a great way to enterprise to quiet seashores and find out about island historical past.

The place to eat

From expensive sushi and sashimi at Nobu to steak, seafood and Hulopoe Bay views at One Forty, the island’s two 4 Seasons resorts have six completely different eating places to select from. Advisable for informal guests to the lodges is the poolside Malibu Farm eatery. Most substances come from 4 Seasons’ sustainably-run Lanai farm. Strive the grilled native fish with miso tahini for lunch. In Dole Metropolis, choices embrace Blue Ginger Cafe – the saimin noodle bowl is a Hawaiian basic – whereas Asian and Pacific flavours merge at Ganotisi’s Pacific Rim Delicacies. Courtesy of Lanai’s multicultural local people descended from plantation households, each Korean kalbi brief ribs and Japanese tempura shrimp characteristic on the lunch plates menu. At evening, Dole Metropolis eating motion strikes to the charming eating room on the Resort Lanai’s Lanai Metropolis Bar & Grill.

The place to drink

Housed in a historic plantation home in Dole Metropolis, Espresso Works is the easiest way to kick off one other Lanai day. Natural beans from the Huge Island’s Kona Coast are blended with coconut and macadamia nuts, and brunchy snacks embrace acai wellness bowls and breakfast burritos. For cold-pressed juices and tropical fruit smoothies, order prematurely by textual content with the Lanai Wai Juice Truck. Observe them @lanaiwai on Instagram for contact particulars and occasional specials like Vietnamese summer time rolls. Glad hour on the Lanai Metropolis Bar & Grill runs from 4pm to 6pm, a good time to take pleasure in a cocktail and some pau hana (actually “cease work”) bar snacks. Workforce the ahi tuna poke tostada with the mezcal, pineapple and chilli wizardry of the Poblano Escobar cocktail, or ease into an island sundown with an IPA from Oahu’s Lanikai Brewing Firm. Valley Isle’s Ohana Citrus kombucha from close by Lahaina is non-alcoholic however does have the addition of a soothing hit of CBD.

The place to remain

4 Seasons has two luxurious resorts on the island, one overlooking Hulopoe Seashore, and the spa-and-wellness-oriented Sensei Lanai amid Lanai’s inland forest of Cook dinner pines. See fourseasons.com/lanai/.

Extra inexpensive, and possibly with out the occasional go to from Tom Cruise or Elon Musk, is the Resort Lanai. From 1932 to 1990, it was the one resort on the island, and its hardwood flooring and plantation-style rooms have been given a boutique makeover. See hotellanai.com.

Getting there and round

Direct air transfers from Honolulu with Lanai Air (lanaiair.com) might be booked when confirming lodging at 4 Seasons’ two resorts. Go Lanai (go-lanai.com) runs passenger ferries linking Lanai to the port of Lahaina on Maui. Crossings take an hour and Go Lanai can prepare 4WD excursions and visits to Lanai Journey Park for day journey guests. To lease your personal 4WD transport to discover Lanai’s seashores, forests and unsealed roads, contact Lanai Low-cost Jeeps (lanaicheapjeeps.com).

For extra info, go to gohawaii.com/