Discovering Lanai: Koele Lodge, Manele Bay, Garden of the Gods, Shipwreck "Kaiolohia" Beach

Lana'i, Hawaii is a beautiful place to visit. The weather is generally colder, but it can be very nice in the summer time. I hope you enjoy photos from my trip there. All photos are owned by my sister, Alex Todd, and cannot be used without her permission.

We stayed at the Koele Lodge, which is near the center of the island. It is a beautiful space with a lake, putting course, gardens and field in the back. The lodge also has a number of amenities and activities available including lawn bowling, tennis courts, horses, golf, tea time, etc. The first group of photos are of the lodge. From koi ponds to Japanese-inspired buildings, this area is breathtakingly beautiful and a pleasure to walk through.

As you could see, we traveled to the Four Seasons Resort to see Manele Bay. We didn't see many dolphins while we were there, but the place is known for their friendly visitors. After this, we traveled to the infamous Garden of the Gods, where years of deposited sediment have made their home. The red dirt is caused by the volcanic activity of the islands. Over the years, uplift and erosion on the sediment created unique rock formations that are bound to stun you.

Kaiolohia Beach (or Shipwreck Beach) is one of my favorite destinations on the island. The drive is pretty rocky and can be muddy on rainy days. You should take four-wheel drive vehicles to this location to avoid getting stuck. There is limited cell phone service in this area, so be careful or you could be stuck for days. The beach gets its nickname from a 1940's oil tanker that is parked about a mile from shore. The truth is, many ships have sunk in this bay due to the choppy surf and sharp reef. This ship, however, has not been sunken. In fact, it was called the "Liberty Ship" and its passengers abandoned it in the bay to avoid participating in the war. The ship is shockingly beautiful. It is rusted and ominous, sitting there in the water. You should not swim at this beach.

My final photos are of the Koele Trail, which is a five-mile trail behind the Koele Lodge. There are deer and goats that live in the area and they are a site to see. The wildlife in this area is particularly stunning. Even though we went on this hike during an overcast day, the trail was beautiful. Once you reach the top, you can see both Moloka'i and Maui. The canyon on the side is also breathtaking.

I hope you enjoyed this walk through Lana'i with me. I suggest that everyone takes a trip to this beautiful island to see the amazing sites I was blessed enough to see. From the Koele lodge, where you can play the putting course or work on your shooting skills, to the amazing, natural beauty of the Garden of the Gods or Shipwreck Beach--Lana'i will always remain one of the most spectacular views I have ever experienced.