Peaceful, tropical, lavish - this is Hawaii's "Private Island," the place that the richest man in the world, Microsoft mogul Bill Gates, chose for his wedding, and the ideal place for a bit of tranquility. Born from Palawai's volcanic explosion, this is the sixth largest of Hawaii's eight islands, and it remains as a small, untarnished agricultural community with nary a traffic light to disturb your carefree wanderings. Lanai epitomizes the American melting pot of ethnic diversity, including residents of Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, European, and Portuguese ancestry, as well as native Hawaiian families, to create a vivacious culture with a Polynesian flavor.
In the 1930s, Lanai was a pineapple plantation exclusively owned by the Dole Company. Since 1993, however, Lanai's economy has branched out to include other agriculture and ranching, and its main source of income is from tourists visiting 2 of the world's poshest resorts, where many of the island's 2,800 residents are employed. World-class golf courses, stunning white beaches, fascinating lava formations, archaeological mysteries, and the spectacular Pacific surf: this is Lanai!
