The island of Lānaʻi first rose above sea level. The lava flows of Lānaʻi spread out and joined those of Maui, Kahoʻolawe, and Molokaʻi to create low land bridges that connected the islands.
In a time when the gods walked the Earth, Kāne, Kanaloa, and their younger brother Kāneʻāpua first stepped upon Lānaʻi on the leeward coast of Kaunolū at Kealaikahiki (The Path to Foreign Lands).
The first Hawaiian settlers established residences on Lānaʻi following settlement of neighboring isles that offered richer resources than those on Lānaʻi. Areas of settlement and resource development spread across the island, both along the shore and upland.
Events tied to the naming of the island, division of lands, and attempts to rid Lānaʻ i of its spirit inhabitants are commemorated in the history of Kaululāʻau. Lānaʻi is affectionately known as, “Lānaʻi a Kaululāʻau,” in honor of the young chief’s heroic acts.
Hawaiian society grew to the pinnacle of its existence. Population estimates numbered at about 1 million Hawaiians. On Lānaʻi, population estimates are as high as 6,000 inhabitants. In Maunalei alone, the population was reported at about 1,000 people.
Kalaniʻōpuʻu, ruler of the island of Hawaiʻi, invaded Maui. When his forces were repelled by those of Kahekili, Kalaniʻōpuʻu and his troops retreated to Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe.
During his quest to unify all islands of Hawai‘i under one rule and in the years following his successful campaign, Kamehameha I established part time residence at Kaunolū.
Wong Chun of China settled in Lānaʻi’s upland region to cultivate sugar cane to process into raw sugar.
The Maʻi ʻŌkuʻu epidemic (believed to have been Asiatic Cholera) swept through the islands, claiming the lives of more than 150,000 Hawaiians, including 2,000 native residents of Lānaʻi.
The earliest written documentation of pineapple cultivation is noted in the journal of Don Francisco de Paula Marin. Marin was a counselor to Kamehameha and an avid horticulturalist.
Goats and sheep were introduced to Lānaʻi. Native tenants herded some while others established a feral population.
In 1832, the population of Lānaʻi was estimated at approximately 2,000 residents.
In 1848, Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III, created a system of land tenure that, for the first time in Hawaiʻi’s history, allowed land to be held in private interest
In 1850, the population of Lānaʻi diminished to 604 residents.
In 1866, Walter Murray Gibson secured a lease for the ahupuaʻa of Kaʻōhai and purchased the ahupuaʻa of Kaʻā, followed by the purchase of Keālia Kapu in 1867.
As early as 1870, herds of feral goats and sheep began to ruin the island’s forest. Water sources dried out. Rock slides were reported to claim lives of native tenants that tended to irrigated taro lands in Maunalei Valley.
In 1873, Gibson secured a lease from the Kingdom government for the ahupuaʻa of Keālia Aupuni. He then secured a lease for Paomaʻi in 1874.
In 1890, the population os Lānaʻi was reported at 200 residents.
Hayselden partnered with Honolulu businessmen to organize the Maunalei Sugar Company, Ltd. Keōmoku Village was established and nearly 800 employees, mostly Japanese, Chinese, and Portuguese immigrants, were contracted as labor for the plantation.
Charles and Louisa Gay purchased a portion of the Gibson estate and in a few years, possessed most of the land on Lānaʻi in fee simple holding. The Gay family transitioned the ranching operations from sheep to cattle.
William G. Irwin, Robert W. Shingle and Cecil Brown formed the Lānaʻi Ranch Company which later became the Lānaʻi Company. The Company began foreclosure of the Gay mortgages.
George C. Munro was asked to come to Lānaʻi from New Zealand and assume the role of manager of the Lānaʻi Ranch Company. Munro, a naturalist at heart, recognized the importance of watershed management
The Lānaʻi Company conveyed its holdings to Frank and Harry Baldwin of Maui, who continued cattle ranching on the island.
Axis deer were introduced to Lānaʻi. A herd of 12 were wrangled from the axis deer population on Molokaʻi. Axis deer, also known as chital, were initially introduced to Hawaiʻi in 1867 as a gift from Hong Kong to Kamehameha V, Lot Kapuāiwa.
The population of the island was documented at a mere 150 residents.
In 1922, James Dole bought out the Baldwin interests on Lānaʻi for $1.1 million and set in motion plans that ultimately made Lānaʻi the world’s largest pineapple plantation.
In 1923, 300 acres of pineapple were planted on Lānaʻi. Water from Maunalei Valley was pumped to the city.
In 1932, Filipino laborers arrived on Lānaʻi in large numbers and over the following years came to make up the primary work force of the plantation.
Following the end of World War II, plantation engineers began to mechanize all aspects of agriculture, including plowing, spraying, and harvesting.
In 1951, workers carried out a 201-day strike that immobilized the Hawaiian Pineapple Company. When the strike ended, employees secured higher pay, better benefits, and improved working conditions as well as the opportunity to purchase homes on Lānaʻi.
YOGN-42 was intentionally grounded off the coast of Lānaʻi in the vicinity of Kaiolohia. The ship was used during World War II as a gasoline barge that carried fuel to air craft carriers throughout the Pacific. The ship was decommissioned and struck from the naval register in August 1949
In 1951, Lānaʻi Ranch operations ended.
On April 1, 1990, the original Lodge at Kōʻele opened. It was built at the site of the former headquarters of Lānaʻi Ranch. The hotel opened with 102 rooms. The Lodge exuded an aura of colonial-era elegance
On May 4, 1991, The Mānele Bay Hotel opened. The resort featured mediterranean-style architecture and an Asian-tropical fusion decor. There were 250 guest rooms. The Challenge at Mānele, the 18-hole golf course adjacent to the property, opened in 1993. The course was designed by professional golfer, Jack Nicklaus.
Larry Ellison, founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation, purchased the island of Lānaʻi.