Lanai, the paradise: noviembre 2011

*Day-Trip Itinerary in Lanai:
If you take a ferry for a day-trip to Lanai you might play golf at Koele or you can visit Hulopoe Bay once named America’s Best Beach where you can swim, sunbathe and take a short hike past the tide pools to Puu Pehe (Sweetheart Rock). You can also travel to Lanai City for shopping, lunch and for a peek at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. During the winter and early spring be sure to look for humpback whales on your ferry ride back to Maui.

*2 -3 Days
If you are staying a few days, be sure to take advantage of all the activities that Lanai’s resorts have to offer. After having dinner, you can ride horses, take courses of shooting, play golf, swimm, etc, at your Hotel. But if you want to enjoing the nature you have the possibility to rent a 4-wheel drive to explore Lanai’s 400 miles of unpaved road.

*5+ Days
If you are going to stay even longer you can see all of Lanai’s off-road attractions from Hulopoe Bay, Puu Pehe (Sweetheart Rock), Lanai City, Munro Trail to Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods). For scuba divers, the underwater lava tubes called the Lanai Cathedrals are a popular attraction. And for fishermen, there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than casting off of Kaumalapau Harbor and watching the Lanai sunset.

Activities:

· Expeditions: with a ferry that provides service bewteen Maui and Lanai five times a day, every day. This includes fishing and boating excursions. You can also travel by 4X4 Tours or rent a Jeep. But if you want you can take archery clases.

· Lanai Equestrian Center:is a place where you can ride horses through the rich natural and cultural landscape of this very special place.

· Trilogy Ocean sports: provides activities including sailing, snorkeling, intro and certified scuba diving, snuba, whale watches, marine mammal searches, adventure rafting, kayaking, and sunset sails.

Munro Trail

Munro Trail, Lanai

12.8 mile hiking, driving and biking trail with scenic views.

It begins just north of Lanai City and ends in the Palawai Basin.

It was named for George Munro, the naturalist from New Zealand who arrived in 1890.

The trail offers spectacular views and the 1,600-foot elevation takes you through a rain forest filled with ohia lehua, ironwood, eucalyptus and pine trees. You'll discover stunning canyon views of Maunalei gulch as well as neighboring islands of Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Hawaii's Big Island and Oahualong the way. The trail, which can also be biked or hiked, also takes you to the top of Lanaihale (House of Lanai), Lanai's highest peak at 3,370 feet.

The Munro Trail can only be driven in a rented 4-wheel drive vehicle. Note that conditions can be tricky in some spots especially after rain. Bring a full tank of gas, water, food and a jacket and check ahead for dry weather conditions. The trek takes about two hours by car, so drive safely and enjoy the ride.

Keahiakawelo

Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods) it is just 45 minutes from Lanai City.

Keahiakawelo is also known as the Garden of the Gods. This area has lack of vegetation, because of the rock formations formed by centuries of erosion. Here the setting sun casts a warm orange glow on the rock sculptures turning them into brilliant reds and purples.

The Hawaiian lore tells the story of the contest between two kahuna (priests) of Lanai and Molokai who were challenged to keep a fire burning on their respective island longer than the other and whichever fire burned the longest, their island would be rewarded with a great abundance. The Lanai kahuna, Kewelo, burned every piece of vegetation in Keahikawelo to keep the fire burning. The result is that the area is barren even until today.

Walking in the garden will give you a sense of what it would be like to step foot on Mars. There is no vegetation, but the rock formations are stunning. It’s a great place to take a leisurely stroll with someone you love.

Lanai City

Lanai City is the central town of Lanai, located three miles from Lanai's airport. It was founded in the early 1900’s as a plantation town originally built around Lanai’s booming pineapple industry. Is noticeably cooler than coastal areas of the island.

All the shops, restaurants and business of Lanai City are centered around Dole Park. This is a popular place for locals to gather, meet and picnic.

Lanai City is also a great place for unique shopping and inexpensive dining. The Lanai Art Center displays local artists' works, from ceramics to watercolors. After window-shopping, you can have a cup of coffee from Coffee Works, pull up a chair at the Blue Ginger Café, Canoes, Café 565 or Pele’s Other Garden for a true local dining experience. For entertainment, enjoy the local entertainment and ambiance at Lanai City Grille.

Finally, Lanai City is home to two outstanding hotels. Hotel Lanai and The Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele is a luxurious retreat featuring the largest wooden resort in the state. Koele has a wealth of exciting attractions including golf course and facilities for horseback riding, biking, archery and even clay shooting

Puu Pehe

It is known to be an iconic Lanai landmark between Manele and Hulopoe Bay. Situated a short hike from The Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay.

Besides being a picturesque natural landmark, Puu Pehe is also steeped in Hawaiian legend.

Legend tells of two lovers, a Hawaiian maiden named Pehe from Lahaina and a young warrior from Lanai named Makakehau. He was so taken with her beauty that whenever he laid eyes upon her they would mist up in tears. Hence his name: Maka (eyes) Kehau (mist). He took her back to Lanai and hid her in a sea cave at the base of Manele’s cliffs.

One day while gathering supplies he noticed a storm brewing and started back, only to find Pehe drowned by the surge of the storm waves. Stricken with grief, Makakehau gathered his beloved in his arms. He wailed out to the gods and his ancestors to help him climb the steep rock island where he eventually buried her. He then jumped from this 80-foot summit into the pounding surf below.

Sunsets here can be especially romantic with dramatic views of Hulopoe Bay. You may even spot the spinner dolphins that frequent these waters perched atop this scenic lookout.

Hulopoe Bay

Hulopoe Bay, Lanai was named as one of America´s best beaches, in 1997 by Dr Stephen Leatherman (Dr. Beach). It is located just in front of the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay.

Located on Lanai's southern coast, Hulopoe Bay has a stunning expanse of pearl-white sand and crystal blue waters.

Most of the year, this is the best spot for snorkeling and swimming, two of the main activities you can do in Lanai. It also has a great beach park with picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms and showers. It is a very touristic place because there are places prepared to camp.

One of the highlights of Hulopoe Bay is its large tide pools located at the eastern side of the bay. Carved out of volcanic rock (it is important to mention that Hawaii is part of the ring of fire), these tide pools are well protected, keeping the waters calm for exploring.

As a protected site, rich with marine life, visitors are asked to leave every stone and shell in its place.