Discover Lānaʻi
Located in the center of the Hawaiian Island chain, Lānaʻi is the sixth-largest of the main eight Hawaiian Islands, approximately 13 miles wide and 18 miles long. Lānaʻi enjoys a protected location with the islands of Molokaʻi and Maui to the north and Kahoʻolawe to the east. The island’s vibrant ethnic population is approximately 3,200.
Lānaʻi was first settled by Native Hawaiians in about the 13th century. Ancient traditions recount a thriving community that grew to a population of approximately 6,000 prior to 1778. Kaululāʻau, a young aliʻi, or chief, from Maui, is believed to have rid the island of spirits that inhabited Lānaʻi in ancient times in order to make way for a flourishing native population.
The island saw many changes during the 19th and 20th centuries. This included a rapid decline in the native population, privatization of land, a Mormon settlement, and various economic ventures such as ranching, sugar cultivation, and beet farming.
In 1922, Lānaʻi was acquired by James Dole of Dole Pineapple Company. He set his sights on developing Lānaʻi into the largest pineapple plantation in the world. Dole developed Lānaʻi City to serve as the heart of operations. Immigrant laborers primarily from the Philippines, Japan, and China were brought to work on the pineapple plantation. At the height of operations, there were approximately 20,000 acres cultivated in pineapple.
In the 1980s, entrepreneur David Murdock transformed the failing agricultural operation into a world-class travel destination, while maintaining the majority of the island’s untouched landscape, historical artifacts, and overall mood of mystery.
In 2014, 98% of the island was purchased from David Murdock by Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle. He hopes to transform it into the first “economically viable, 100% green community.”
The island’s unusual beauty is most apparent in its contrast– from vividly colorful and lush to forbiddingly start; from sunny white-sand beaches to mist-covered, rugged pine forest; from rustic charm to casual elegance.
Lāna’i boasts world-class resorts with a championship golf course. The resort embraces the breadth of Lānaʻi’s many natural mountain and ocean wonders, preserving the native flavor and culture while presenting the highest standards of excellence to island visitors.
For more information on the culture, history, and stories of Lānaʻi, visit www.lanaiguideapp.org or download the Lānaʻi Guide mobile app. This app also contains a self-guided walking tour of Lānaʻi City which includes augmented reality technology.