7-night Hawaiian Seascapes Cruise

For nearly 70 years, Lanai dubbed the "Pineapple Island," was operated as a pineapple plantation by Dole Company. Today there are two exclusive, world-class hotels, the Lodge at Koele and the Manele Bay Hotel. In addition, the Experience at Koele and the Challenge at Manele provide visitors with award winning, world-class golf. People: Lanai is known for is amiable residents who greet island visitors with old-fashioned Hawaiian aloha. Some 2,800 people call the island home, including older families of Hawaiian, Caucasian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Puerto Rican and Filipino ancestry. Recreation: Golf, tennis, diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, hunting, ocean-rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and exploring by four-wheel-drive vehicle are among the outdoor activities residents and visitors enjoy on Lanai. Restaurants: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the hotels, and all three share the homegrown bounty of lettuce, herbs and other produce from island gardens. The Lodge at Koele and the Manele Bay Hotel also offer room service and fine dining options. Lunch is offered at the clubhouse at the Experience at Koele and the Challenge at Manele. There are also two small cafés in Lanai City. Transportation: Two airlines--Hawaiian Airlines and Island Air--currently serve Lanai with more than 100 scheduled flights weekly. Expeditions operates five round-trip ferries daily from Lahaina, Maui, Phone:(808) 661-3756. On the island, cars and four-wheel-drive vehicles are available for rental from Lanai City Service Dollar Rent A Car, Phone:(808) 565-7227. Whale-watching: In season, November to April, whale-watching abounds in the winter breeding and calving grounds of the giant humpback whales in the waters surrounding Lana`i. The 40-ton mammals perform their bring ballet in great leaps and dives. Mother and calves are often spotted swimming together in preparation for the migration north to the humpback's summer home, Alaska. Environment: This relatively undeveloped island features wide open spaces with only 30 miles of paved roads, one airport, and one plantation village boldly named Lanai City, where virtually the entire island population lives. The primary man-made impact is agricultural: rows of spiky green pineapple, hay fields, macadamia nut, papaya and banana trees, herb gardens, and penned cattle line the Palawai and other fertile cropland. Lanai's natural and cultural resources are fragile and vulnerable, and as the island opens itself to guests and more residents, protecting the resources is a major goal of the corporate owner and populace alike. Topography: Only one fifth of the area of Lana`i was used for pineapple cultivation. Today there are less that 100 acres growing pineapple for consumption by island residents and hotel guests. The rest of Lana`i's ancient volcanic land mass is 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. Wild Game: Axis deer, a prized game animal introduced before the turn of the century, now outnumbers Lana`i's inhabitants. There are also Mouflon sheep, and a plethora of game birds--pheasant, quail, chukar partridge and wild turkey. Hunting and resource management is under protection of the Lana`i Company and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. Preserves: In 1991, Dole Food Company, Inc., granted the Nature Conservancy a permanent conservation easement over the seven patches of 590 acres of native forest at Kanepu'u. The Nature Conservancy receives two thirds of its management funds through the Sate of Hawaii's Natural Area Partnership Program. The funds are used to protect and restore this rare forest. Kanepu'u contains the largest remnants of olopua and lama (native Hawaiian olive and ebony) dry land forest left in Hawaii. This forest type once covered the lowlands of the largest Hawaiian islands. Kanepu'u is high in biological diversity hosting 48 species of plants unique to Hawaii, including endangered Hawaiian gardenia (na'u) and sandalwood ('ilihai) trees. The waters of Manele Bay and Hulopo'e Bay are designated as marine preserves, and the snorkeling and diving spots are among the best in Hawaii.

In August 2023, devastating wildfires swept through the western coastal town of Lahaina, Maui, causing billions of dollars worth of destruction to homes, businesses and historic sites. Recovery is ongoing and will take time. Confirm conditions on the ground before planning a visit.

Before Lahaina became a thriving missionary and whaling village, it was the home of Hawaiian kings and queens. Today, this town on Maui Island hums with tourist activity. The main drag, Front Street, is lined with restaurants, art galleries and little shopping malls geared toward visitors.

But the town still manages to retain some charm, particularly along the harbor and around the square, which is dominated by the state's largest banyan tree—it was planted in 1873 and covers 0.5 acres/0.25 hectares. Some of the town's traditional atmosphere can be attributed to the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, whose preservation efforts have helped maintain many historic buildings.

Take a peek at the museum in the renovated Wo Hing Society Temple on Front Street. Another building on the grounds screens some of the earliest films of the islands, shot by Thomas Edison in the late 1800s. The Buddhist Hongwanjii Temple and Lahaina Jodo Mission are nearby. The Jodo Mission has a shrine, cemetery and a huge Amitabha Buddha.

While in Lahaina, you'll probably notice the Pioneer Sugar Mill's smokestack. The mill itself has been demolished, but it is evidence of the sugar industry that was an important economic force in the area for 140 years.

On the hill above Lahaina is the Lahainaluna school. Established by missionaries in 1831, it was formerly a seminary and now serves as a high school. There are good views of the town and the ocean from the school's parking lot.

Lahaina is a center for water excursions. Whale-watching cruises are available December-April, when the humpbacks return to their wintering waters off of Maui to give birth. Other boats offer cruises along the coast, and small submarines take passengers underwater to view coral reefs and lava formations.

This famous area of the Big Island is on the western side along the coast North Kona and South Kona. Kailua-Kona is the name of the main town along the coast, with Kona added to distinguish it from other Kailuas. This tourist-oriented seaside village is at the base of 8,271 foot Mt Kaulalai. The main drag is Alii Dr, over a mile of oceanfront shops and restaurants. The newer Waterfront Row complex is at the southern end of the tourist strip. It is a shopping and dining complex. There is a seawall along the waterfront that is popular with fishermen and locals who weave hats and mats for tourists. There is the Kailua Pier where marlin are weighed in tournaments. Most big game fish are landed at Honokohau Harbor.

This famous area of the Big Island is on the western side along the coast North Kona and South Kona. Kailua-Kona is the name of the main town along the coast, with Kona added to distinguish it from other Kailuas. This tourist-oriented seaside village is at the base of 8,271 foot Mt Kaulalai. The main drag is Alii Dr, over a mile of oceanfront shops and restaurants. The newer Waterfront Row complex is at the southern end of the tourist strip. It is a shopping and dining complex. There is a seawall along the waterfront that is popular with fishermen and locals who weave hats and mats for tourists. There is the Kailua Pier where marlin are weighed in tournaments. Most big game fish are landed at Honokohau Harbor.