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Island Hopping: Maui to Lanai For the Weekend

Lanai: The Beauty of the Pineapple Isle 

Properly spelled Lānaʻin Hawaiian, it is the sixth largest in the island chain. It is believed that Molokaʻi, Māui, and Lānaʻi all once comprised a bigger island known as Māui Nui (estimated to be as big as the Big Island). Now all three separate islands fall under Māui County jurisdiction.

Lānaʻoften known as the pineapple island because of its past reputation as an island wide pineapple plantation. Since, the island has moved away from pineapple production and into tourism or family ran small businesses. Over the years I’ve had a chance to visit and watch the evolution of the island as it has since changed ownership to Larry Elliso, CEO of Oracle based out of the Bay Area. His recent injections of funds has since brought new life to the former plantation town.

Lānaʻis the perfect escape from Māui, it is roughly a $50 ferry ticket that leaves from Lāhainā with a travel time of under 2 hours. The ferry ride is pretty manageable and smooth sailing, it’s not as bad as charging the Moloka’i channel on the Moloka’i ferry. Once there, camping on the beach is a popular option for those who would like to rough it for a bit. There are also two world class hotels on the island, the Four Seasons at Manele Bay or Four Seasons the Lodge at Koele. I personally enjoy the Lodge more because it is tucked hire up in Lānaʻgiving it a woodsy retreat feel.

Lānaʻi Golf has two 18 hole golf courses each offer different sets of challenges as the terrain over which they were designed are drastically different. The Experience at Koele is set in designed by legends Greg Norman and Ted Robinson and is set in Lānaʻi’s 2,000-foot highlands. The course winds through hills and over gulches reflecting the beautiful mountain ravines.

Along the south coast of Lānaʻi, Jack Nicklaus designed one of his most coveted masterpieces, Manele Golf Course. The target-style course is spread across several hundred acres of natural lava flows, using plunging ravines, kiawe, and towering trees as natural hazards.

 

Lānaʻi has plenty of untouched land to explore, it has 400 miles of dirt roads to travel by 4-wheel drive. Leave civilization behind and unplug once your adventure starts on the dirt road just past Manele Road and Keomoku Highway. Visit various landmarks such as the Garden of the God; it is in the Kanepuu Preserve, 20 minutes outside of the town. There is also the dirt road of the Munro Trail, its a path up to the 3,370-foot peak of Lānaʻi Hale (the highest point on Lānaʻi). On the southern coast of Lānaʻi is an off-road adventure to the historic Kaunolu, home to King Kamehameha’s favorite summer fishing retreat overlooking Lānaʻi’s southern cliffs.Reservations for a vehicle can be made in advance at the Dollar Rent A Car in Lānaʻi City.

Contact a South Maui Real Estate Specialist

We’d like to extend an invitation to you to stop by our on-site Ho’olei real estate information office, which is open daily, before the reservation desk, from 9:00AM–5:00PM.

Our team has been blessed with the opportunity to have been part of this luxurious community since its infancy stages back in 2005. We’ve been in the in house sales team for the past 9 years. It truly brings a smile to my face when I see first time guests, return visitors, and full-time residences who embrace and wholeheartedly love their Maui lifestyle.

Mahalo,

Anthony Sayles

(808) 280-6532

Anthony@DanoSayles.com

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