Lanai City, Maui County, Hawaii
Lanai is a mystical place. From its snowy white-sand beaches with azure pristine waters to its ageless lush greens, many refer to it as an enchanting paradise. There are so many beaches in this island that there will be tranquil moments when you'll feel that you are on your own secluded private beach. It's a place rich in enchanting lagoons with peaceful turquoise-green waters, astounding pineapple farms, diverse variety of wildlife and people, and loads of breathtaking sights.
Lanai is a top tourist destination in Hawaii. Book your boat or plane, take some food and drinks, and submerge into this heavenly paradise. This place is truly an idyllic sanctuary ideal for those who desperately need a location where they can relax and do soul-searching. A number of luxury and romantic hotels line the circumferential road of the city. There are lots of shops, museums, and pineapple plantations to visit after the long day at the beach. One can also spend his night in bars that offer various forms of entertainment like live music, and disco. If you're not the party-goer type, just lie on the sand along the beach front and have the chance to unwind and watch the changing hues of the star-strewn sky as the day draws to a close.
Considered as the census-designated place, Lanai is found across the Auau Channel of the island-county of Maui. It ranks as the sixth largest of the Hawaiian Islands, and has an area of 140 square miles. There are airlines that offer direct flights to Lanai; there are at least two flights every day. There are approximately 3,443 people living in the town. Like every other island in Hawaii, the place is a dwelling and refuge to multiracial and multilingual individuals that compose its workforce.
The dry season is from around July to September while the peak season for tourists in Lanai are every summer, Easter, and Christmas. With the Lanai people being 26% Catholic, the celebration of these events in the Catholic calendar brings out the best in Lanai. Enthralling view of Lanai is truly mesmerizing. Locals and tourists who have visited and left the place had their bank accounts empty, but their minds and hearts have never been so full and their lives transformed by this mystical place.
Lanai City's History
The history of Lanai is a perfect concoction of facts and legends passed on through generations of Hawaiian natives. History as well as story books said that the once uninhabited island was discovered by Kaululaau, the legendary son of Maui's chief Kakaalaneo. In that era, the island was deemed as the kingdom of wicked spirits and evil entities. But Kaululaau cleared the area and realized that the area was not a home to incorporeal beings but an enchanted paradise where natural resources remained untouched.
Its history as well as its economy began to evolve when James Dole laid eyes on Lanai and bought the whole place. He planned to make the island a field of pineapple plantations and his endeavor paid off successfully. Soon, Dole pineapple, a fruit product nobody had heard before, began making waves in the United States. As huge plantations and factories were established, Lanai transformed itself from a haunted island to a premier and world-renowned provider of the canned sweet, yellow-fleshed fruit.
Because of the expansion of the pineapple trade, an influx of foreign workers mostly from Southeast Asian and Western nations started populating Lanai as well as other areas in the Big Island. Years passed and the park built by Dole himself became the area's biggest income generator providing employment to Hawaiians as well as other nationalities. Migrants and laborers from China, Philippines, Korea, as well as Portugal arrived in the place. These people brought their own colorful traditions and variegated customs, which led to the evolution of Hawaii's culture.
Lanai City's Attractions
Downtown Lanai, which was originally home to the Dole Pineapple Company, is one of the most preserved cities in the country. The quaint, utilitarian town is adorned by old plantation houses that are now painted in different hues. Its rich history and colorful landscape is reason enough for tourists to come and visit.
For a breathtaking view of the terrain, dare to take the Munro Trail up north and climb Mt. Lanaihale which has Lanai's highest point -- up to 3,370 ft. Savor the sweet Hawaiian breeze amidst countless wildflowers and trees like the eucalyptus, Norfolk pines, and ironwoods.
A quick stop to the Heart of Lanai, a gallery that was recently relocated from the town square, will simply take your breath away. It houses vivid pieces of art made by local and foreign artists. It also sells souvenirs such as wood work and crafts -- perfect additions to your traveling shrine back home.
A short drive to the south will take you to The Hulopo'e Beach Park and Marine Preserve, which is one of the most sought after destinations in Lanai. This revered beach is mostly known for its pristine sand and awe inspiring scuba diving spots. A wide array of sea creatures and marine life thrive in its blue-green waters. Local tour facilities and sailing charter companies hold regular sight-seeing and water activities for guests who hail from all around the island and across the state. Truly, the best way to enjoy Lanai City is to see it all, taste it all.
Lanai City's Economy
Lanai City's economy has been doing well over the years and still looks very promising. Economists and key indicators predict that the city will continue to boom well into the end of the decade. Since the city is on the island, most of its commercial goods have to be shipped in and that is why the overall cost of living is high. Even though the cost of living is 45% higher compared to the rest of the country, the city's unemployment rate lies well below the 5% US average while recent job growth is at an impressive 3.61%.
Statistics show that tourist arrivals to the State in 2005 alone reached around 7.4 million. With an economy that relies mostly on its tourism, taxes on commodities such as gasoline and restaurant food are slightly higher compared to that in the cities in the mainland. Aside from tourism, major contributors to the economy include construction and federal defense spending.
With the decline of major industry players, Lanai City, and the whole state for that matter, are working extra hard to develop the economy by concentrating on other potentially strong commercial enterprises such as diversified agriculture, technology, health, film and TV production, marine research, and land development. Formerly hailed as the Pineapple Isle, Lanai is now the nest of two prestigious resorts, with 98% of the land owned by Lanai Company, Inc. More than just being a piece of land with bountiful human and natural resources, Lanai City proves to be an ever growing center for Hawaiian commerce and tourism.
Lanai City Statistics:
Population: 3,164Households: 1,148
Median resident age: 35.4 years
Median household income: $43,271
Median house value: $141,100
Land area: 3.6 square miles
Elevation: 1624 feet
Latitude: 20°49'N
Longitude: 156°55'W
Zip code: 96763
County: Maui
