Lanai - formerly known as the "Pineapple Isle", was once the largest single pineapple plantation in the world - now reduced to less than 100 acres. Today, 98% of the land on Lanai is owned by the Lanai Company, Inc. (a development firm). Lanai's major source of annual income is tourism. Though its Bed & Breakfast Inns are rare, they are jewels in Hawaii's crown.

Lanai has a wide variety of plant, marine and animal life. Many species are rare and endangered including the giant Pacific Green Sea Turtle (which can grow to 400 pounds) and the humpback whale. Vegetation zones include: coastal, dryland forest, mixed open forest.

The Island of Lanai has an area of approximately 141 square miles with 47 miles of coastline. Lanai is 13 miles wide and 18 miles long, with only a few miles of paved road. At Lanai City (Lanai's only town), the average temperature ranges from 66 (°F) to 73 (°F) and the average annual rainfall is 37 inches - a very arid island. Though largely uninhabited until the 1500's, Lanai, as part of Maui County, is now a multi-cultural society.

Lanai (the fourth youngest island in the Hawaiian chain) was formed by a single shield volcano creating a volcanic land mass of rolling tablelands and steep, eroded gorges. Red lava cliffs and mesquite bushes give way to giant stands of towering Cook pines - and green mountains at higher elevations.

Lanai has approximately 100,000 visitors per year.

Click here for a listing of our Bed & Breakfast Inns by Island.