Overview
Introduction
Lanai is the smallest of Hawaii's main islands, just 18 mi/29 km long. Once a plantation island used almost exclusively to grow pineapples, Lanai was sold by its former owner, Castle & Cooke, the parent company of Dole Pineapple, and is currently almost completely owned by Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corp.
In the 1990s, pineapple production was halted and the company put its chips into upscale resort developments. (The pineapple farm workers were trained for hotel jobs.) As a result, most of the island's 3,000 residents work for one of the two Four Seasons resorts or elsewhere in the tourism industry.
Potpourri
Venture up 3,379-ft/1,048-m Lanaihale (Lanai's highest point) on a clear day, and you'll see Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island in one magnificent panorama.
Lanai has only three paved roads, no stop lights and only one stop sign.
Hulope Bay is a marine preserve and considered one of the best diving spots in the world.