Sundowner: Spring/Summer 2019

Lanai and Molokai
GOOD FOR: HONEYMOONERS AND HISTORY BUFFS
SEEKING OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK EXPERIENCES
Lanai
The smaller island of Lanai has only 3,200 inhabitants and the
grandly named Lanai City may be more of a village, but don’t be
fooled. Lanai has many a claim to fame. Known for its historical
industry, the ‘Pineapple Island’ was bought by James Dole (founder
of what is now the Dole Food Company). Dole bought Lanai
in 1922, creating an island-wide pineapple plantation – its final
pineapple was harvested in 1992.
Although one of the most remote, rural, and private islands,
Lanai now has another famous owner. In 2012, Oracle founder
Larry Ellison bought 97 per cent of Lanai for a record $600
million, wanting to make it the “first economically viable,
100 per cent green community”.
Whether he can achieve this remains to be seen and the island
remains divided into two distinct parts – luxury resort tourism
and low-key escapism. In the south, five-star resorts and golf
courses dominate an idyllic honeymoon destination – around
here, head for romantic sundowners and sunsets over Hulopoe
Bay, exciting cruises around Manele Bay to see spinner dolphin
at play, and exhilarating hikes to Puu Pehe, known fondly as
‘Sweetheart Rock’.
In contrast, head north for a more active adventure, where 643
kilometres of Lanai’s roads are dirt track, accessible only by 4x4
vehicles. The deserted beaches here will delight you, including
Kaiolohia (Shipwreck Beach) or, for a more horticultural trip, seek
out Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods). Lanai is also famed for
its sea cliffs, not as high as those of Molokai, but dramatic and
disconcerting nevertheless. These rocky edifices rise from 105
metres around Kaumalapau Harbor to 300 metres along the
coast and the sea stacks offshore at Nänähoa have to be seen to
be believed.
Molokai
Oh, Molokai – an island of discovery and delight. But it’s
somewhere most tourists to Hawaii simply don’t reach. There’s not
much there, no amenities to speak of – just a few local cafés for the
islanders (and those who make the extra effort to visit). But those
tourists who do come here are well rewarded.
Famed for its lack of infrastructure, Molokai is nature
undiscovered and a step back in time to the ‘old Hawaii’. The
residents, numbering around 7,500, are mostly native Hawaiian
and have a strong affiliation to the area’s heritage and history.
This area was once shunned and was used as a leper colony in
the 1800s within the confines of Kalaupapa National Historical
Park. Nowadays this park is only accessible by mule or on foot, but
it’s worth a visit to understand its history and see its flora and
fauna. Many of these species are federally listed as threatened and
endangered and here you may also spot monk seal, humpback
whale, and green sea turtle. At the edge of the park are the North
Shore Pali Cliffs – the tallest sea cliffs in the world – with views
over the Pacific.
For something unique on Molokai, a visit to Hoolehua Post
Office is great fun. Here, you can head to the Post-a-Nut counter
and mail a free coconut back to friends and family. Let them
experience a taste of the exotic, just like you.
MAKE IT MEMORABLE WITH A&K:
• Enjoy a challenging canoe trip to Molokini. Take part in a
stunning, yet rigorous, paddle and then jump in for truly
spectacular snorkelling.
• Island hop on a 50-minute flight from Kahului to Molokai,
passing over stunning views of west Maui’s rugged terrain.
previous page: Na Pali coast, Kauai; Waimea Canyon, Kauai
left to right: Sweetheart Rock, Lanai; beach off the Road to Hana,
Maui; lava flow off the coast of Big Island
MAKE IT MEMORABLE WITH A&K:
• Experience a relaxing and romantic catamaran sail as the sun sets
over beautiful Lanai.
• Ride through the hills surrounding Koele on horseback following
a ranch hand who will share the history of Lanai and the best
vistas to appreciate its beauty.
30 | SPRING/SUMMER 2019