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 What to see on your day trip to Lāna‘i

There’s so much to see and do on the island of Lāna‘i. It’s definitely possible to have an epic day trip without going off-roading. Lāna‘i is tiny. We don’t have a traffic light, or even a Starbucks. The island is 140 square miles, and most is not accessible by land. The top of the island is only 3,370 feet and the city sits at about 1,600 feet elevation. Lāna‘i really is tiny. From our only city to the sea, in any direction, is about 20-30 minutes. Here are our suggestions for pavement road accessible sites:

Spectacular Hulopo‘e Bay (our crown jewel crescent shaped bay) next to the ferry harbor is our only swimmable beach. Watch for dolphins that swim here regularly on the right side of the Bay, and calm days offer some of the best snorkeling in all of the islands. Hulopo‘e’s beach park is comfortably equipped with picnic tables, showers, and free parking.

From inside Hulopo'e Bay, don't miss the hike to Pu'u Pehe Sweetheart Rock. It's a 1/4 mile hike from the beach parking lot on the left side of the Bay. Stay on the trail, which ascends 150 feet. Great photo op. Research this Hawaiian legend before you arrive.

LanaiAdventurePark.com located behind Sensei Four Seasons offers zip lines, aerial towers, and cultural electric bike tours. Prices start at $60. If you’re determined to visit Keahiakawelo (aka Garden of the Gods) consider their e-bike guided tour that lasts 2 hours. You’re welcome to visit their beautiful adventure grounds, hike around, and request a free site tour. Advance bookings are preferred. Call them for more info 808-563-0096.

Ruins of a church and school house, constructed in 1846, above Lāna‘i City. The ruins are alongside the nine hole Cavendish Golf course.

Lāna‘i Cat Sanctuary, aka The Fur Seasons, is just past the airport off a partially paved road. Big yes you can access the well cared for 750 cats in our rental fleet. Bring cat food treats for epic photos. Entry is by donation. 10am-3pm.  LanaiCatSanctuary.org

Kamaulāpa'u Harbor, aka K-Pau Harbor, is an industrial barge harbor where we receive all of our shipped cargo every Wednesday. Follow this paved road, just past the airport, to see stunning cliff views from a roadside look-out. You don't need to drive all the way down to the end of the road to the barge harbor to experience the cliffs. On a clear day, you can see O'ahu, and about once a year you can even spot Kaua'i. If dolphins are not In Hulopo‘e Bay, then they’re likely here at Kamaulāpa'u. (Kamaulāpa'u Harbor is closed on Wednesdays for barge supply delivery day.)

The Cultural Center in Lāna‘i City is the only place to see pineapples growing.The Center offers a good overview of the history of Lāna'i, from ancient Hawaiian history to pineapple plantation times. Before the City was built, the Bishop Museum sent a team from O'ahu to collect and log our island’s Hawaiian artifacts. Many of these relics are now on display here. If the Center is closed, you can still check out the fruit trees and native plants growing outside. Secret handshake: ask them for a complimentary hiking map.

Koloiki ridge 4-5 mile hike can be accessed from Laniola Road. Drive on Keomoku Rd as if you were headed to Kaiolohia/Shipwreck, past the bend in the road (marked “lookout” on our digital map) on the right is paved Laniola Road. Park at the end of the paved road, and hike for a few minutes or a few hours. The complete ridge hike takes 2-3 hours round trip depending on your pace. The channel and canyon views are stunning, and you don’t need to hike hours to see the views. Stay on the trail. You can also access this hike from the Lāna‘i Adventure Center/Sensei Lodge. Munro Trail can be very, very muddy and slippery depending on the weather.

Keomoku/Shipwreck/Kaiolohia side is past the city. Don’t miss these channel views of Moloka‘i and Maui. The Kaiolohia  /Shipwreck beach coast trail is not accessible in our fleet, but you can drive the paved road down to that side of the island to see the spectacular views. Dozens of ships have wrecked along this coastline. The main shipwreck (a 1944 shipwrecked concrete oil tanker) is visible from about 1/2 way down the hill, and from the paved road, you can see this wreck off to the left. The canyon views to the right, are also stunning. Listen for axis deer calling across the canyon. Here is a drone view from about 1/2 way down the hill Click here to see the view. It’s not necessary to drive to the end of the paved road to see the views. The Kaiolohia / Shipwreck beach dirt trail at the end of the paved road is off limits for our gps tracked vehicles, but if you want to visit the wrecked ship up close, you can park at the end of the paved road and hike along the beach for 1-mile, which takes about 20 min. We do not recommend the hike. At the end of the dirt trail, it’s another 30 minute hike over a field of lava boulders to the shipwreck. This is not a pretty beach and it’s not an easy hike. Unless you're spending your whole day at Kaiolohia/Shipwreck, don't go. This coast is riddled with trash and it’s very dry and hot along this side of the island. If you're adventurous, wear shoes, bring snacks and water, and head here early in the morning if you want to explore Keomoku coast. We encourage you to save your hike for Hulopo‘e Bay to see Sweetheart Rock Pu‘u Pehe or hike lush Munro/Ridge Trails.

Visit goats, and miniature donkeys and horses at Lāna’i Ranch just past Lāna‘i City, across from the Four Seasons Sensei. Park on the side of the road. They will come to the fence to say hello.

For breakfast or lunch we highly recommend Blue Ginger for large portions and affordable prices (mahi mahi fish & chips for $13.) Snacks and poké from Richards Market grocery store (same fish they serve at the Four Seasons.) The Plantation Store at our only gas station serves the world’s best truffle oil french fries.

New to Lāna‘i is also Ganotisi’s Pacific Rim Cuisine in Lāna‘i City by Richard’s grocery store. We haven’t been there yet, but our customers keep telling us we need to add them to the list because they tried it and loved it. Wait time is about 15 minutes, and we are hearing hamburgers, and Korean chicken are the best.

For an over the top, super yum lunch make a reservation at one of our Four Seasons resorts. The newly reopened Sensei Four Seasons close to Lāna‘i City, by the ranch, is an oasis of tropical gardens that are beyond stunning, and the grounds are dotted with larger than life art sculptures. Call for reservations  FourSeasonsSenseiLunch  808-565-4500

Four Seasons Mānele by Hulopo‘e Bay also offers lunch with gorgeous ocean views. Reservations are required  FourSeasonsManeleLunch 808-565-2000

Both resorts are sometimes off limits to the public depending on who is staying at the resort.

Bonus points: can you find the famous roadside vintage sewing machine? You’ll need to ask an island resident for clues. It’s on the Maui side of a paved road.

We sometimes stream live on instagram as @808daytrip. You’re welcome to drop in and ask questions during live broadcasts 

Call or text any time with questions 808-649-0664

email: 808DayTrip@gmail.com

(808) 649-0664

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5:30pm–8:45pm