Lāna�i

The Private Isle

Overview of Lāna�i

Land Area: 140.5 square miles (363.9 sq. km).

Size Comparison: 6^th largest Hawaiian Island; smallest inhabited island.

Island Emblem: Kauna�oa�Native Dodder (Cuscuta sandwichiana).

Highest Elevation: 3,370 feet (1,027 m), at the summit of Lāna�ihale.

Official Nickname: The Private Isle.

Also called: The Pineapple Island, The Secluded Island.

[Illustration: Map�Lāna�i]

Lāna�i is about 17� miles (28 km) long by 13 miles (21 km) wide. The island of Lāna�i is somewhat teardrop-shaped, with about 47 miles (76 km) of coastline. Lāna�i is about 9 miles (14.5 km) west of Maui (across the �Au�au Channel), and 9 miles (14.5 km) south of Moloka�i.

Lāna�i�s Pālāwai Basin is the alluvium-filled crater of the single volcano that formed the island. The volcano last erupted about 1.3 million years ago. The Pālāwai Basin is now a fertile area, and many pineapples have been grown there.

There are not many paved roads on Lāna�i, and much of the island is accessible only by 4-wheel-drive vehicles. On a clear day atop Lāna�ihale (�House [of] Lāna�i�[i]) the highest point on Lāna�i, one may see five of the Hawaiian Islands. The 3,370-foot (1,027-m) summit of Lāna�ihale is about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Lāna�i City and may be reached with a 4-wheel-drive vehicle if the roads are not washed out by rains.

The peak of Lāna�ihale is the highest point of the ridge that runs from southeast to northwest across the island. This ridge is a significant geographical feature affecting Lāna�i�s climate, which is relatively dry because the northeast tradewinds are blocked by the West Maui Mountains.

An ancient proverb states, �Niniu Moloka�i, poahi Lāna�i,� (�Moloka�i revolves, Lāna�i sways�), said to describe �...the revolving of the hips and the swaying movements in hula.�[ii]