Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ular instance the end of the road is a beach known as
Naha,
and while it looks like there
is hardly anything there, Naha—like Lopa—was once the site of ancient fishponds which
supported a native Hawaiian village. Unlike at Lopa, however, at low tide the fishponds
are still visible, little changed from their original construction centuries ago.
The swimming at Naha isn't very good and the beach isn't as nice as Lopa, but given
the historical significance of the ancient village site it's worth checking out if you've
already driven all the way. Other than the fishponds, however, don't expect to reach the
end of the road and see anything markedly different than what you've already been driving
past. Naha is a favorite of local fishers as well as surfers who park their cars here to hike
the thorny trail down to the break known as Stone Shacks. To reach Naha continue for two
miles past Lopa, and at this point you should be about 11 miles from when you turned right
at the end of the paved road.
Polihua
is so remote that even Lana'i residents consider it “out there.” A vast, windswept,
and often empty stretch of sand, Polihua is unrivaled in its seclusion. If you've ever fantas-
ized about placing the only set of footprints on a deserted Hawaiian beach, this the place.
Although the area is occasionally frequented by fishers, unofficial campers, or the rare
surfer, Polihua is a place you go to collect your thoughts, beachcomb, or run around naked
simply because you can. The name is derived from a Hawaiian term for “eggs in the bos-
om,” a reference to the green sea turtles which haul out on the sand and bury eggs on the
isolated shore.
Unfortunately the strong currents at Polihua make the water unsafe for swimming, and
often the afternoon trade winds turn the beach into a curtain of blowing sand. The morning
hours are best for taking a relaxing stroll through the dunes, and by sunset the winds have
usually died down enough to watch the sun slink behind the northwest horizon. The views
stretch across the Kalohi Channel toward Moloka'i.
Access to this area is threatened by a plan to place dozens of windmills on the northern
slope of Lana'i, a project which has received formidable criticism from the community
(the power generated would run in an undersea cable to Honolulu). It appears on the verge
of being abandoned.
While Polihua remains in the public realm, reaching it requires the use of four-wheel
drive. To find the beach, travel seven miles from Lana'i City on Polihua Road to the
Keahiakawelo. From here you'll continue on the same road for another 25 minutes as it
