Lāna’i Named to Lonely Planet’s 2014 Top US Destinations List

Stables on Lānaʻi. Photo by Craig Newton.

By Wendy Osher

The island of Lāna’i was named to Lonely Planet’s Top US Destinations list, rounding out the top ten.

Lāna’i Vistitors Bureau manager, Charity Texeira said the bureau is honored to receive the designation along with the nearly 3,000 residents who share their special brand of hometown welcome for each guest.

“Our island is truly worlds away from the crowds and hustle of everyday life,” said Texeira in a press release statement.

Lonely Planet described Lāna’i as an island that boasts empty beaches, snorkeling, diving, shipwrecks, petroglyphs, hiking, and their favorite poke market in the state.

The complete list of includes: (1) Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan’s Gold Coast; (2) Yosemite National Park, CA; (3) Boston, MA; (4) Central Coast, CA; (5) Jersey Shore, in New Jersey; (6) Kansas City, MO; (7) Cumberland Island, GA; Las Vegas, NV; (9) Sun Valley, ID; and (10) Lāna’i, Hawai’i.

Lanai. Photo courtesy of HTA.

“Lāna’i’s candy-colored plantation-style homes and teeny town center – yes, there’s only one town – offer a sense of isolation and small-island charm,” the publication states.

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison purchased 98% of the island in 2012.

In addition to the natural beauty of Lāna’i,the island is also a popular golf destination, and home of two Four Seasons resorts in Mānele and Kōʻele, as well as the historic Hotel Lāna’i in Lāna’i City.

“It’s true that Lāna’i isn’t for everybody. And that’s exactly why so many fall in love with it,” according to information released by the Lāna’i Visitors Bureau.