Read Ranch & Coast Virtually Anywhere
Issue link: http://ranchandcoast.uberflip.com/i/1544636
e next morning, I especially enjoyed an early morning guided hike before the sun rose to view Pu'u Pehe, also known as "Sweetheart Rock," an iconic landmark. Our knowledgeable guide shared island lore, history, and traditions as we trekked a rocky, red-earth path. Our reward? A dazzling sunrise over the water. Legend has it that Pehe, the beautiful daughter of an island chief, was confined to a nearby oceanfront cave by her jealous husband. While he was away fetching her fresh water, Pehe drowned when the cave flooded in a big storm. e heartbroken husband is said to have buried her body on the top of the rock, then leaped to his own death. Pu'u Pehe marks the dividing line between two subzones in a marine conservation district, where pristine waters are popular spots for scuba diving and snorkeling. Visitors can also explore remnants of Kapiha'a, an early fishing and farming village along a marked trail below the golf clubhouse. e next day, I boarded a catamaran with other hotel guests from all over the United States for a two-hour sunset sail along the Lanai coastline, where we spotted the tails of several whales, much to our delight. An attentive crew served an array of pupus (appetizers), wine, and tropical drinks as we enjoyed the sea and salt air. I also took a two-hour-long holoholo, which means going out for a walk, ride, or sail. I joined other guests in an off-road jeep with a knowledgeable and personable guide. (You can also drive your own, but beware of narrow roads and rocky terrain.) Our guide shared Lanai's geography, history, and a bit of island lore. We fed hungry baby goats at the riding stables where guests can saddle up to explore the island on horseback, toured a heritage site strewn with black lava boulders, and visited Lanai City, a historic plantation town. Once among the biggest in the world, the Dole pineapple plantation employed not only locals but workers from countries including China, Japan, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Competition forced its closure in 1992. Shops and galleries arrayed around the town square include Deep Hawaii Art which showcases sustainable, ethical art inspired by the island's ocean environment. Restaurants include Lanai City Grill, located in the former Dole Plantation Headquarters, offering live music and island fare. e hot ticket in town is the Lanai Bowl, a retro bowling alley which also serves Hawaiian comfort food — macaroni salad, chicken katsu, and teriyaki beef. No visit would be complete without seeing the Lanai Culture and Heritage Centre, which highlights the island's storied history from the first Polynesian settlements to the end of the plantation era — nearly a millennium of change and challenges. fourseasons.com SUNRISE: PHOTO BY ANDREA NAVERSEN ALL OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF FOUR SEASONS RESORT LANAI @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE MAY 2026 61