Lanai - Hawaii with Kids - page 337

Maunalei Sugar Company. The village, such as it is, is a great little escape from
Lanai City. Follow Keomoku Road for 8 miles to the coast, turn right on the
sandy road, and keep going for 5 3 ⁄ 4 miles. Everyone in the family should enjoy
this trip; allow a couple of hours for exploring.
6 Beaches
If you like big, wide, empty, gold-sand beaches and crystal-clear, cobalt-blue
water full of bright tropical fish—and who doesn't?—go to Lanai. With 18 miles
of sandy shoreline, Lanai has some of Hawaii's least crowded and most interest-
ing beaches. One spot in particular is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and
watching spinner dolphins play: Hulopoe Beach, Lanai's best.
HULOPOE BEACH
In 1997, Dr. Stephen Leatherman of the University of Maryland (a professional
beach surveyor who's also known as “Dr. Beach”) ranked Hulopoe the best beach
in the United States. It's easy to see why. This palm-fringed, gold-sand beach is
bordered by black-lava fingers, protecting swimmers from the serious ocean cur-
rents that sweep around Lanai. In summer, Hulopoe is perfect for swimming,
snorkeling, or just lolling about; the water temperature is usually in the mid-70s.
Swimming is usually safe, except when swells kick up in winter. The bay at the
foot of the Manele Bay Hotel is a protected marine preserve, and the schools of
colorful fish know it. So do the spinner dolphins that come here to play, as well
as the humpback whales that cruise by in winter. Hulopoe is also Lanai's premier
beach park, with a grassy lawn, picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms, show-
ers, and ample parking. You can camp here, too.
HULOPOE'S TIDE POOLS Some of the best lava-rock tide pools in Hawaii
are found along the south shore of Hulopoe Bay. These miniature Sea Worlds
are full of strange creatures: asteroids (sea stars) and holothurians (sea cucum-
bers), not to mention spaghetti worms, Barber Pole shrimp, and Hawaii's
favorite local delicacy, the opihi, a tasty morsel also known as the limpet. Kids
enjoy swimming in the enlarged tide pool at the eastern edge of the bay.
SHIPWRECK BEACH
This 8-mile-long windswept strand on Lanai's northeastern shore—named for
the rusty ship Liberty stuck on the coral reef—is a sailor's nightmare and a beach-
comber's dream. The strong currents yield all sorts of flotsam, from Japanese
handblown-glass fish floats and rare pelagic paper nautilus shells to lots of junk.
It's not a place for swimming, but it's fun to walk the beach with the kids and
help them search for buried treasure. The road to the beach is paved most of the
way, but you really need a four-wheel-drive to get down here.
POLIHUA BEACH
So many sea turtles once hauled themselves out of the water to lay their eggs in
the sunbaked sand on Lanai's northwestern shore that Hawaiians named the
beach here Polihua, or “egg nest.” Although the endangered green sea turtles are
making a comeback, they're seldom seen here now. There are no facilities except
fishermen's huts and driftwood shelters, so bring water and sunscreen. Beware of
the strong currents, which make the water unsafe for swimming. This strand is
ideal for beachcombing, fishing, or relaxing on the sand.