Hotel Lanai

Write a Review808-565-7211

OPEN NOW - Open 24 Hours

The early history of Lana'i is deeply rooted in folk tales and legends. According to island lore, the mischievous son of Chief Kaululuaau was banished to Lana'i, home to evil spirits. No match for the young prince, he was triumphant in chasing away the resident spirits, thereby making it suitable for habitation. Returning home to the island of Maui, he touted the beauty of Lana'i and so it first was inhabited around 1500 A.D. In the last few centuries, great battles were fought on the island, as warrior chiefs sought power and control of territory. The Luahiwa Petroglyphs that can be seen today are remnants of the first Polynesian settlers, who can be thanked for generating the lush plant life including sugar cane, banana, bamboo and breadfruit. Some of the best-preserved petroglyph carvings can be seen at the ancient fishing village, Kaunolu. Known for an abundance of fish, King Kamehameha the Great even established a summer home on the island to partake in the sport. In 1922 James D. Dole purchased the island of Lana'i for 1.1 million dollars to grow pineapples on this tropical land. At its peak, Lana'i produced 75 percent of the world's pineapples. In 1961 Dole Pineapple Company merged with Castle & Cooke and still this entity owns the majority of the island. Once known as the pineapple Isle , today, only about 100 acres are devoted to pineapple growing. Now aptly dubbed the "Private Island