Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The center of the short-lived sugarcane plantation, Keomuku is 6 miles southeast of
Maunalei. The highlight is the beautifully reconstructed
Ka Lanakila o Ka Malamalama
Church
, which was originally built in 1903.
Under the dense tropical vegetation other ruins can be found, including a steam loco-
motive and buildings and an old boat towards the water.
Halepalaoa Landing
HISTORICAL SITE
Just under 2 miles southeast along the road from Keomuku, you reach Halepalaoa Land-
ing, which was where the sugar company planned to ship out its product from. But little
was accomplished during its short life (1899-1901), other than to shorten the lives of
scores of Japanese workers, who are buried in a small
cemetery
.
Nearby, look for the ruins of an 1830s
school
. On the ocean side, you'll see the re-
mains of Club Lanaʻi, a 1970s failed recreation spot. There's a
pier
here that's main-
tained and which provides a good stroll out from the shore. Note that Larry Ellison an-
nounced plans in 2013 to build a new resort here.
Halepalaoa Beach
BEACH
Running southeast from the pier is the reef-protected and shaded Halepalaoa Beach,
which seems to have come from desert-island central casting and runs to Lopa. There's
rarely many people here. In season you may see whales breaching just offshore.
Naha
HISTORICAL SITE
Four miles southeast of Halepalaoa brings you to Naha, which is both the end of the road
and the site of ancient fishponds just offshore. With the wind whistling in your ears, this
is a dramatic and desolate setting where the rest of Hawaii feels a thousand miles away.
It's an otherworldly place that seems utterly incongruous, given the view of developed
Maui just across the waters. Look for traces of a flagstone path that ran from here right
up and over the hills to the Palawai Basin.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Road to Garden of the Gods
Strange rock formations, views that would overexcite a condo developer and more deser-
ted beaches are the highlights of northwestern Lanaʻi.
It's all reached via the unpaved Polihua Rd, which starts near the Lodge at Koele's
stables. The stretch of road leading to Kanepuʻu Preserve and the Garden of the Gods is a
