make our 6:15 check-in for our departure from Lahaina Harbor to Lanai.
Sailed across aboard the Trilogy Eula and along the way encountered some
male whales sparring and showing off for a female humpback. There are 2-7
males for every female, so competition can be tough.
Upon arrival to Lanai, we took a guided tour to Lanai City. Our guide was
born here and obviously loved this unique Hawaiian island. She left Hawaii
after school, joined the military, raised her family in Minnesota, and has
returned to enjoy her golden years with her sister, 99 year old mother and
101 year old auntie. Lanai City is really a tiny plantation village, built
in 1924 by James Dole. The pineapple plantation has closed, but is still a
"company town", being 98% owned by Larry Ellison (founder of Oracle). Unlike
the former owner, Murdoch, he has done a lot for the town since his
purchase in 2012
Locals do not look at the price of gas (high), just fill it up and drive on
- not that anyone could use much gas on this island. It has no traffic, no
traffic lights and only three paved roads.
Lanai looks like a desert inland, in the bowl of a crater, with no ocean
views.
Headed over to Hulopo Beach for some great snorkeling, the beach is shared
with the renovated Four Seasons resort. The reefs here are considered one of
the best snorkeling places in Hawaii.
Enjoyed a great beach side lunch at Manelo Bay before the sail back to Maui.
