Special Sights
Pu‘u Pehe (Sweetheart Rock)
Standing 80 feet tall, Pu‘u Pehe—also known as "Sweetheart Rock"—is one of Lāna‘i’s most recognizable landmarks. It is also the setting for one of Hawaii’s most enduring legends.
The story goes that a ravishing young princess from Maui was captured by a young warrior from Lāna‘i. He took her as his wife and brought her back to his home island. The young prince was so stricken with her beauty that he was afraid to let other men see her, and thus he confined the princess to a sea cave near the rock.
One day, while the warrior was away, the weather changed drastically, and the raging surf began to pound the side of the island. The warrior rushed back to the cave, but it was too late, as his beloved Pu‘u Pehe had drowned. Heartbroken, he retrieved her body and, with the help of the gods, climbed the steep rock island, where he buried her in a tomb. Overcome with grief, the warrior then leapt off the rock to his death.
Pu‘u Pehe is situated about 150 feet offshore between Manele Bay and Hulopo‘e Bay along the island’s southern coastline. To this day, one can see a tomb-like structure resting at the summit.
A trail from the beach will lead you to a breathtaking overlook of Pu‘u Pehe. A number of tide pools, a sea arch and “Sharks Cove” are found along the trail.
Kaiolohia Beach (Shipwreck Beach)
Fronting the ruins of an old lighthouse, Kaiolohia (meaning “rough seas”), is also known as Shipwreck Beach, a sight to behold and a photo opportunity not to miss. The numerous coral reefs have wrecked many a ship here, however the one that you see here, a Liberty Ship from WWII, was sunk purposefully on the reef. Shipwreck Beach is the favorite place on-island for beachcombers looking for exotic shells, beach glass and driftwood. Despite its beauty, this is not a place for swimming, as the same strong currents that are responsible for numerous shipwrecks, can easily wreak havoc on swimmers. Shipwreck beach is eight-miles long, so there‘s plenty of room for a picnic, taking in the sun or exploring and beachcombing.
There were 22 Liberty Ships, all ferrous-concrete Oilers, though this particular one rests in a place worthy of nautical jealousy. Shipwreck Beach sits on Lāna‘i’s northeast coast, and is best reached by 4x4 excursion.
Keahiakawelo (Garden of The Gods)
Perhaps the most visually surreal of Lāna‘i’s offerings, Garden of the Gods is often described as a “walk on the moon.” Many visitors explain their experience here as “spiritual” and “otherworldly.” The grounds of this arid region are spotted with lava boulders of all shapes and sizes, and almost no vegetation. Throughout the course of the day, the natural light of the sun changes the landscape of Garden of the Gods, creating stunning colors, shadows and a generally ethereal experience for visitors.
The area around Keahiakawelo is part of a storied and sacred landscape, a place frequented in ancient times by the god Kāne and his companions, and place where ancient Hawaiians built small stone shrines to Kāne, while traveling on foot, between the shore and uplands. One such shrine-like feature, the largest in the region, was built by a Kahuna (priest) of Lāna‘i, by the name of Kawelo. Kawelo reportedly kept a fire burning atop his shrine, and from their offered prayers to the gods, for the safety and well-being of the people of Lāna‘i - protecting them from prayers of ill, offered by a Kahuna from the neighboring island of Moloka‘i. Tradition has it that Kawelo’s prayers were stronger than those of the Moloka‘i priest, and as a result, the people of Lāna‘i prospered. Thus originated the name, Keahiakawelo (The fire of Kawelo).
Keahiakawelo is on the northern part of Lāna‘i and borders the Pālāwai Basin, which is the floor of the volcano which formed Lāna‘i millions of years ago. Keahiakawelo is easily reached on a 4x4 Jeep excursion. Please do not move or make stacks of rocks, as you may be damaging a traditional feature.
Polihua Beach
Stretching two miles, this white sand beach is very private, and a favorite of guests wanting an absolute getaway. Not a beach for swimming, as the currents here are very strong, Polihua Beach is great for taking in the sun, a picnic or a long afternoon nap. Located near Garden of the Gods, Polihua Beach is a great addition to an excursion to the northern side of the island. The name Polihua translates as “cove for eggs,” for in earlier times, the native honu (sea turtles) frequented the beach for nesting. Polihua is only accessible via 4x4 Jeep excursion.
Kānepu‘u Preserve
Adjacent to Garden of the Gods, Kānepu‘u Preserve offers a self-guided hike through the 462 acres of Lāna‘i’s last remaining dry land forest, containing 48 native species. The Kānepu‘u trail provides visitors with an opportunity to view one of the last remaining examples of the type of forest that once covered the dry lowlands of all the main Hawaiian Islands. Kānepu‘u is easily reached via 4x4 Jeep excursion.
Koloiki Ridge Hike
An easily followed five-mile trail, this hike begins at Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i, The Lodge at Koele and winds along the ridge above Kaiholena Valley to the "Cathedral of Pines," then into Hulopo‘e Valley and to Kukui Gulch. From there, it leads to colorful eroded bare hills and then through a tunnel of low thicket branches that leads to Koloiki Ridge. From here, the trail opens to beautiful vistas of north Lāna‘i, Maui and Moloka‘i.
Keōmuku Village
Once a major settlement on Lāna‘i, home to farmers, fishermen, and later ranchers, Keōmuku Village became the population center of Lāna‘i in the late 1890’s, when the Maunalei Sugar Company announced plans for a sugar plantation there. The plantation effort was short lived, closing in 1902. The village residents then focused on ranching, fishing, hunting, and limited agriculture, with the populations steadily relocating to upland Lāna‘i or Maui. The last full-time residents finally left in the mid-1950’s, and little remains today except the steepled church,Ka Lanakila o ka Mālamalama, which native residents of Lāna‘i hope to restore, and from which a glimpse into the island‘s past might be viewed. Keōmuku can be reached via 4x4 Jeep excursion.
Petroglyphs
A great mystery to historians and archaeologists, a number of ancient petroglyphs can be found on Lāna‘i. Hand carved into rocks or lava formations, these petroglyphs depict people, animals, objects and activities of daily life. Lāna‘i offers several places to view petroglyphs, including near Shipwreck Beach, and along the hill of Manele Bay. Please take great care not to touch the petroglyphs, as the stone is very delicate.
Kaunolū Village
A national historical landmark, set between Kaumalapau Harbor and Hulopo‘e Beach, lies the remains of the once-busy, but now abandoned fishing community of Kaunolū. The village contains the ruins of more than 80 homes, a heiau (temple) and other structures scatter the cliffside here, and are said to be the most extensive and best preserved in the state. King Kamehameha the Great would come to Kaunolū in the summers, where his warriors would prove their courage and loyalty by jumping from the 60-foot cliffs into the 12-foot deep waters below. Kaunolū can be reached via 4x4 Jeep excursion. Remains of King Kamehameha’s home still exist here. The Haluhu Heiau is also here, and was declared by Kamehameha as a luakini heiau or place of refuge, where someone would be forgiven for breaking a law if they were able to make it to the heiau before getting caught for their crime.
Munro Trail
This 16-mile trail delights the adventurous with canyons, rainforests and stunning landscapes, and is named after George C. Munro, who in 1911 moved from New Zealand to Lāna‘i to manage the Lāna‘i Ranch. Trained as a naturalist, it was Munro who planted the Cook Island and Norfolk Island pine trees on Lāna‘i, in order to irrigate the island by catching moisture from the clouds. Lāna‘ihale, the highest point on Lāna‘i at 3,370 feet, is a veritable goldmine of plants, flowers and peaceful wildlife, from which one can capture stunning views of six Hawaiian islands. The Munro Trail can be reached via 4x4 Jeep excursion.
Hulopo‘e Bay
A protected marine preserve, Hulopo‘e Bay offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in Hawaii. Spinner dolphins play in the Bay’s sparkling water, endangered green sea turtles are regular guests, and humpback whales are common during winter migration. Additionally, there are shallow tide pools alongside the rocky edges of the Bay where more sea life can be seen.
Ka Lokahi o Ka Mālamalama Church
This wooden church, whose full name is Ka Lokahi o ka Mālamalama Ho‘omana Na‘auao o Hawaii, is located on the grounds of Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i, The Lodge at Koele. The church was completed and dedicated in 1930. It was built to fill the needs of the families who had relocated from Keōmoku Village. Sunday services are in Hawaiian and are open to the public
