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‘Pinapple Island’ Price Savvy
Lanai used to be known as the Pineapple Island because the Dole company grew huge tracts of pineapples until they decided labor costs were too high and they transferred their pineapple growing to the Philippines. Ironically, 85 percent of the permanent residents are Filipinos. Now, almost the entire economy is based on tourism. I would guess they are happier working in that industry rather than field work growing pineapples. Almost all the pineapple plants are now gone due to neglect. Rupert Murdoch controls the Cook Company that owns almost the whole island. They are selling condos next to the golf courses and to lure buyers, they have changed the island slogan to “Lanai, Hawaii’s most enticing island.” I would call this island the Christmas tree island because of the large numbers of Norfolk and Cook Island pine trees lining the roads and in Dole Park. These pine trees look alike but the Norfolk pines have concentric branches directly opposite each other whereas the Cook Island pines are not as uniform. I noticed a large street Christmas decoration still hanging in May. Bill and Melinda Gates had their wedding here. They bought up all the accommodations on the island and all the airplane and ferry tickets to insure privacy for themselves on their special day. They stayed at what is now called the Four Seasons Resort at Manele The other Four Season Resort is in the middle of the Island and is called the Lodge at Koele. These are five-star places with magnificent golf courses and prices to match. Koele rooms start at $295 and Manele rooms from $395 per night. Much to Mrs KK’s chagrin, I told her we were staying at the Hotel Lanai so I could tell readers that one does not have to be Bill Gates to enjoy a visit here. It only has 11 rooms and was originally built to house Dole company executives. Prices here start at $125/night. Free wi-fi and a continental breakfast is included. If you do stay here, avoid room #4 (more than bad luck). It is very small, next to the desk and one hears foot traffic to the restaurant day and night. Other choices include staying at guest homes. One I saw was “Dreams Activities on the island besides golf, include horseback riding, archery, tennis, snorkeling and diving, fishing, shopping at the few shops and artists gallery in Lanai town, and touring. We rented a four-wheel drive Jeep and visited the Garden of the Gods. The Gods here must not have had much imagination because there are only few misshapen rocks but nothing as interesting like the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, We also drove down to Shipwreck Beach. Several ships ran aground here. Unfortunately, unless you visit in the summer, most of the roads are off limits because we were told the road conditions are too dangerous. If you do drive the off limit roads and get stuck, there is a hefty fine involved. We returned the car after one day because of this restriction. I had wanted to visit some archaelogic sites and also traverse the famous Munro Trail by car rather than hiking. Free shuttle throughout the island is provided so a car is only needed to go to these remote places. As we were leaving the island, we learned about a wood carver hired by Four Seasons to make things for the hotels’ own use. I was told there is nothing for sale but still I was disappointed that I did not see him. They tell me he has a true aloha spirit and gives visitors an interesting tour. Dining places are very limited. The dining rooms at the Four Seasons are very good but prices are, well, Four Seasons prices. Hotel Lanai has Henry’s Rotisserie that was touted as a true gourmet treat. While the food was good, the prices were just below Four Seasons prices. I think Michelin might still turn up their noses here. I liked dining where the locals frequent, such as the Blue Ginger Café and Pele’s Other Garden. Blue Ginger served typical local Hawaiian type of food whereas Pele served Italian and New York deli fare. There were many Canoes Lanai is only opened for breakfast and lunch and advertises serving the Takayama hamburger. Locals told me it was previously owned by the Takayamas and the burgers were fabulous. When he sold the restaurant, he left the recipe but the locals said the hamburgers are just not as good as in the old days. We did not get a chance to try it. We did not enjoy our experience at 565 Cafe. We met some of the artists and photographers who have made their home here. One girl, a New Yorker commercial graphic artist, arrived here on vacation with her parents and decided not to go back to the Mainland. She became a waitress at Four Seasons to earn some money and when guests asked what she did here, she would show them some of her art projects and soon she was selling enough to do it full time. Mike Carroll has a gallery specializing in plein air paintings and it turned out he is great admirer of a friend of ours, Jacobus Baas. We learned that Jacobus now paints in Honolulu a few months of the year and Mike asked if we could ask Jacobus if he would exhibit some of his works in Lanai. It really is a small world. So, even if you are not Bill Gates, a golfer, or in a witness protection plan but looking for a truly laid back time, Lanai is worth considering. I was negligent in my previous article about not mentioning prices on the island of Maui. The Spyglass Inn has rooms starting at $90. Internet car rentals for compact cars start at around $26/day via the Internet. I always request a compact car and they seem to be the most popular so frequently they are all rented. If so, you will receive a free upgrade. Advance internet reservations for interisland airfare can be as little as $29 each way. Another money saving tip is to avoid high season which in Hawaii occurs June to mid September and mid December to January. Low season is November to mid December and January through March. Shoulder (prices between low and peak) are April to May and mid September - October. Las Vegas tidbit: The Springs Preserves, located at 333 W. Valley The Preserves is especially educational and fun for children. I compare it favorably with the Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson that has consistently ranked among the ten best museums in the USA.
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