Hawaii gets millions of visitors every year, but there are still some places that are off the beaten path, if you know where to look. One of these hidden gems is the island of Lana'i.
A Pan-Tropical Spotted Dolphin leaps in the bow wake of our ship
If you have never heard of this Hawaiian Island, you are not alone. Even though it is one of the eight main Hawaiian Islands, it is completely owned by one individual. Larry Ellison, the cofounder of Oracle, bought the island from David Murdoch back in 2012 for a reported $300 million. Lana'i is most well known for being the site of the worlds largest pineapple plantation, run by Dole, until the early 80's.
Nowadays you can't find a pineapple anywhere on the island. The 20,000 acres of fields that surround the cute town of Lana'i City are growing wild grass and invasive Christmas berry plants. Wild deer and turkeys wonder through the fields. The island is surrounded by deserted golden sand beaches, dolphins swimming off the coast, and beautiful underwater snorkel and dive sites.
A snorkeler freedives through the crystal clear water that surrounds Lana'i
Schools of butterflyfish filled the water column here from the top to the very bottom. It feels like snorkeling in an aquarium.
The island itself has transformed from a farming atmosphere to a playground for the rich and famous. Two very fancy Four Seasons resorts are the only places to stay. They cater to the top 2% of the Four Seasons customers, so don't come looking for bargain deals. But the grounds are immaculate, with the new additions of a massive telescope/observatory, and an adventure center.
I had not seen the adventure center yet, so during this visit that was high on my list of things to check out. You have always had the opportunity to rent a jeep to tackle all the dirt roads that crisscross the island, but now you have the ability to do the same by ebike. The guided ebike trips range in difficulty, from an easy town tour to a grueling ridgeline ride. We tackled a medium difficulty tour, which still took me farther than I had ever gone by car. We ended up way out at the 'Garden of the Gods,' one of Lana's most photogenic spots. Here the wind has exposed large boulders and iron-rich red gravel, giving an almost Martian otherworldly feel.
If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, and you feel like seeing Hawaii like it used to be, come check out Lana'i. It is still a hidden gem for travelers in the know. Hiking, biking, snorkeling, local artisan shops, and some fabulous beaches can make you feel like you've found a Hawaiian secret that few know about.
Welcome to Lana'i.
We spotted one of the first humpback whales of the season in late November. More and more whales will show up through the winter months, until several thousand are around the islands.
The water feels great, so why not flip in for a refreshing swim? I handed off my camera so someone could capture a photo of me. How's my form?
A reticulated butterflyfish steals the underwater show with its beautiful designs of purple and yellow.
Garden of the Gods has been on my bucket list for decades. I never thought I would get there by bike!
Hiking on the top of Lana'i can lead to some beautiful views.
Sunset off Sweetheart Rock, Lana'i
A hidden gem on Lana'i is the Lana'i Cat Sanctuary. Over 700 cats live a life of luxury inside a purpose built enclosure. The idea is to protect the ground nesting seabirds from the threat of feral cats. For a cat-lover, it can be the happiest place in the world. Imagine 700+ affection starved cats, that just want to cuddle.
I hope you enjoyed this trip through one of the least well known islands here in Hawaii.
Dai Mar Tamarack
[//]:# (!pinmapple 20.82579 lat -156.92640 long Explore Lanai d3scr)