Sixth Largest of the islands, Lanai is located in the center of the Hawaiian Islands and is approximately 13 miles wide and 18 miles long. The island's name translates to "day (of) conquest" and is volcanic in origin. Roughly triangular in shape, Lanai enjoys a protected location with Molokai and Maui to the north and Kahoolawe to the east. Lanai's unusual beauty is most apparent in its contrast - from vividly colorful and lush to forbiddingly stark. From sunny, white -sand beaches to rugged pine forests. The island of Lanai offers a primitive charm all its own along with a full compliment of warm and friendly residents, currently around 2300.

With the advent of the pineapple industry and the importation of plantation workers to Lanai in the early 1900's, the population changed from pure Hawaiian to a varied ethnic mixture, Anglo-European, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese. Historically, Lanaians have worked at more earthly pursuits - fishermen, ranchers, and farmers - and their lives generally follow a natural pattern that is closely tied to the immediate environment. They rise early, and use the outdoors for their recreational activities - swimming, surfing, hunting, sports, tending to gardens. With few diversions of the commercial kind, getting together to "talk story" became a favorite pastime.

Over time, most Lanaians came to live in Lanai City, which was begun in 1924 by the Hawaiian Pineapple Company (later Dole). It was conceived as a model town, incorporating all of the social necessities for the plantation workers. Time and "progress" have happily left the town alone and it remains a charming vision of the past...rural, but quaint and rustic.

Until recently, Lanai has been one of the best-kept secrets in Hawaii. Known primarily as "The Pineapple Island", it has peacefully let time go by, watching its neighbor islands busily trying to keep pace with their rapid growth. The secret is now getting out, however, and tourism us gradually coming to Lanai, but quietly so...and since Lanai is privately owned (98%), development and tourism are being carefully controlled.