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The Island of Lana’i – Hawaii’s Smallest Island Wonder

If your idea of the perfect Hawaiian getaway is to find an island where the days pass in slow motion, and you will return home relaxed instead of exhausted, then Lana’ i should be your island of choice.  Although Lanai resembles the Australian outback more closely than it does the tropical paradise you will find on many of the other Hawaiian Islands, its many natural wonders will give you plenty to do during your stay.

Manele Bay is the island of Lana’i’s nod to modern tourism.  Located on the south east coast of Lanai, the bay and harbor offers swimming, boating, and off-island excursions. The bay is the site of the Four Seasons Resort Lana’i, the major resort on the island.  This resort offers everything you would expect from a four-star hotel, including a JackNicklaus-designed championship golf course.

The four seasons also operates Lana’i’s Lodge Konele Lodge, located in Lanai is our country in the central portion of the island.  This mountain retreat is surrounded by panoramic mountain views and towering pines.  The second of Lana’I’s three golf courses is found here.

This golf course, the Experience at Konele, spreads along the base of the mountains and surrounded by vistas of the other Hawaiian Islands, was designed by Greg Norman and has been rated by Conde Nast as the top golfing resort on the planet.  The final of the island’s courses is the nine-hole Cavendish course, a public links at which no greens fees are required!

Outside of its two resort areas, Lanai is little more than a 100,000 acre wilderness waiting to be explored. It is only normal roads are in the tiny plantation village of Lanai City, and even there traffic is so light that traffic lights are nonexistent.  At 141 square miles, Lanai smallest of Hawaii’s populated islands, and all its three thousand inhabitants live in Lanai City. You can reach by boat from either Maui or Molokai. 

The major differences between Lanai and the other Hawaiian Islands is in its plant life. Rather than a lush greenery and towering palms so representative of the other islands, Lanai as towering eucalyptus, keawe trees, and pines.  You will not find any black lava rocks on Lanai; instead, you will be walking along red dirt trails, and enjoying views of a midnight blue sea instead of ones of aquamarine shallows.

Where pineapple plantations once flourished on Lanai, there are now vast stands of wild grasses, really in Lantana, and a wide range of indigenous plants.  Lana’i’s upcountry abounds with deer, and wild turkeys look curiously out of place in the underbrush surrounding Lana’i’s resorts. 

A highlight of any visit to Lana’i is a visit to the Garden of the Gods northwest of Lanai City.  Scoured by winners over millions of years, this plateau is the site of hundreds of wildly colored and shaped boulders.  Arriving on the plateau in time for sunset will treat you to an unforgettable light show as the rocks become lit from within in shades of gold, violet, and deep red.

If you cannot imagine a trip to the Hawaiian Islands without a day spent at the beach, you will find Hulop’e Beach just a short walk From the Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay.  Widely regarded as one of the best beaches in Hawaii, Hulop’e Beach offers safe swimming and snorkeling at any time of the year.  There is a wonderful tree shaded beach park ideal for next, and you often glimpse pods of spinner dolphins in the waters of the bay.

Lana’i has miles of primitive roads accessible only on foot or by four-wheel drive.  One of the most popular hikes is along the Koliki Ridge, starting directly behind the Lodge at Ko’ele and passing along the Munro Trail.  This 5-mile loop will treat you to breathtaking views of Maui, Molokai, and Lana’i’s Naio Gulch.   Horseback excursions, including sunset and picnic rides of between one and two hours, are also available from the Stables at Ko’ele.
 
Your vacation on Lana’i can be as invigorating as a hike in the upcountry, or as quiet as the hidden reflecting pool in the formal gardens of the Lodge at Ko’ele.  The only certain thing about it is that it will be different from any other Hawaiian vacation you will ever have!

Remember to book your Hawaii vacation at http://www.myroadtotravel.com

Remember to book your vacation at www.myroadtotravel.com

Hawaiian Travel Guide:  Kaua’i Preparations

Its four distinct geographical regions are the main reason for the Magic you will experience when vacationing on the Island of Kaua’i’s 550 square miles.  Kaua’i’s western side is the site of what is possibly the most beautiful stretch of coastline in all of Hawaii, the Na Pali Coast.  Kaua’i’s North Shore has all the mesmerizing beaches, emerald mountains, tumbling waterfalls and rainbow-spanned vistas you would expect
to find on Hawaiian vacation brochures.

The island’s South Shore as the sunny weather and unspoiled beaches which attract most of its visitors, and is the home of the Po’i’Pu Resort.  Finally, Kaua’i’s East Side is where you find its commercial and residential heart, its government offices, and its largest city, Kapa’a.

You will enjoy your visit Kaua’i much more if you time it to suit your taste in activities.  If you are planning to spend your days enjoying its magnificent beaches, be aware that the huge surf off its North Shore can make those beaches un-swimmable during the winter months, while it is South Shore gets big waves during the summer.  Your best opportunities for whale watching occurring February, although some whale show up as early as December, and some remain until April. 

The Island’s Kalalau Trail may be off-limits following winter rains, and you can forget along the Na Pali coast during the winter months.  Almost all of Kaua’i’s western shore attractions, in fact, are available only during the dry season.  At least busiest seasons are between mid-June in early September, and from mid-December to early April.  You will pay more for your accommodations during those months, and you will also pay a price in crowded hotels, and congested roads and beaches. 

One thing remains the same year round on the island of Kaua’i is its temperature, at an average of a delightful 78 degrees Fahrenheit.  Kaua’i is coolest in the early morning and late evening, and swimmers can expect water temperatures of between 74 and 80°.  Vacationing on Kaua’i during the rainy season between December and March can be disappointing unless you restrict your travels to its southern and western areas.  The biggest advantage of enjoying Kaua’i during the rainy season is that you will experience its plant life and waterfalls at their most spectacular.

Packing for your trip to Kauai will require some care.  Make sure to include a sunscreen or sunblock which is both waterproof and has an SPF rating of at least 25, to protect you from the strong beach sun.  Also include UV, protective sunglasses, and a camera with either lots of memory, or plenty of rolls of film.  Light clothing is fine all year long, but make sure you have protection from the rain if you are traveling during the winter.

Get a map which guides you not only to the islands important tourist areas, but one that will help you find it off-the-main-drag attractions.  If you plan to hike in its outlying areas, bring plenty of water because you cannot rely on the safety of its streams.  You will need sturdy hiking boots, insect repellent, and whatever water sports equipment will let you take advantage of all the beach-related activities on this marvelous island escape!

Remember to book  your vacation at http://www.myroadtotravel.com