In a world where “status symbols” are more attainable than ever, the trappings of wealth have lost some of their shine. The superyacht, the black card, even the penthouse suite — once the pinnacle of prestige — are now within reach for a widening circle of the middle affluent through time-sharing. But there remains one emblem of status that money alone cannot easily buy: a private island.
For the world’s most discerning elite, there is no greater statement than owning a secluded piece of earth entirely one’s own — a place beyond prying eyes, where the horizon belongs to you alone. Leonardo DiCaprio’s Blackadore Caye in Belize, Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the Caribbean, and Shakira’s Bonds Bay in the Bahamas are more than properties; they are personal realms. And then there is Lanai, the 140-square-mile Hawaiian island that defies the rules of exclusivity.
Lanai was once the beating heart of Hawaii’s pineapple industry. In the 1920s, this tiny island produced 75 percent of the world’s tropical fruit, earning it the nickname “Pineapple Island.” Today, its fame lies elsewhere: in 2012, billionaire Larry Ellison, co-founder and chief technology officer of Oracle, purchased 98 percent of the island for $300 million. The acquisition transformed Lanai into his personal vision — a rare blend of extreme luxury and deep-rooted local culture.
Despite Ellison’s vast holdings, Lanai is not a playground locked away from the world. Around 3,300 residents still call it home, and the remaining 2 percent is held by the state of Hawaii and individual homeowners. The result is a fascinating equilibrium: high-end development set against a backdrop of authentic island life.
Twenty minutes inland lies Lanai City, the island’s sole town and home to 99 percent of its population. Time seems to have slowed here since the early 1900s, when it was built as a plantation settlement. There are no chain stores, malls, multiplexes, or even traffic lights — only tidy streets, small cafés, and the hum of island life.
Pulama Lanai, Ellison’s private management company, maintains much of the infrastructure, but the island’s soul is distinctly local. For a taste of its everyday charm, try the vegan-friendly plates at Blue Ginger Café or Pele’s Other Garden Deli, where the atmosphere is unpretentious and the portions generous.
Lanai’s coastline is a study in contrasts — custard-yellow beaches, jagged red-lava cliffs, and rocky coves where green sea turtles glide through crystalline waters. Inland, the terrain shifts to pine forests, lunar-like rock fields, and scrubby bushland untouched for centuries.
History lives in these landscapes. Waiaopae Fishpond, more than 800 years old, once sustained the island’s inhabitants. The Kaunolū Village Site, abandoned in the 1880s, is now a National Historic Landmark. Shipwreck Beach holds the rusting remains of a WWII vessel; in winter, humpback whales breach offshore.
The uplands hide Keahiakawelo — the Garden of the Gods — a surreal expanse of red earth and boulders said to hold the spirits of ancient warriors. Even the island’s food reflects a layered heritage: in the 1790s, Mexican cowboys arrived to teach cattle ranching, leaving behind a culinary imprint found today in mahi mahi ceviche and seafood tacos brightened with pineapple slaw.
For a deeper dive, the Lanai Culture and Heritage Center chronicles the island’s evolution from ancient Hawaiian settlement to modern-day sanctuary.
At 1,800 feet above sea level, the Sensei Four Seasons Resort Lanai is the island’s wellness sanctuary — adults-only, purpose-built for renewal. Guests arrive seeking transformation, and leave with a new relationship to movement, nourishment, and rest.
Bill and Melinda Gates have stayed here, as have Usher and Ken Jeong. The grounds — studded with ancient banyan trees, birds-of-paradise, and crimson hibiscus blooms — create a lush frame for a program of yoga in open-air shalas, advanced spa treatments, and biomarker-led wellness consultations.
The dining is equally refined. Nobu Lanai, enclosed in a glass pavilion, serves a Japanese menu with a separate vegan omakase that is light, clean, and impossibly fresh. Malibu Farm Restaurant & Bar, perched for ocean views, offers vibrant salads and plant-forward plates that echo the island’s natural abundance.
Art is everywhere. Sculptures by Jaume Plensa, Fernando Botero, and Jeff Koons punctuate the gardens, alongside raked Japanese rock landscapes and discreet onsen pools. This is wellness rendered in high luxury.
Down at sea level, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai fronts the golden crescent of Hulopoe Bay. This rare part-private, part-public beach is a microcosm of the island itself — a meeting point for world-class hospitality and local tradition. Residents surf, snorkel, and barbecue here; children explore handmade tidepools. A short hike leads to Puu Pehe (Sweetheart Rock), a 150-foot sea stack steeped in romantic legend.
To travel from Saudi Arabia to Lanai, Hawaii, you'll need to plan a multi-leg journey as there are no direct flights. Your trip will typically involve three main stages. First, you'll take an international flight from a major Saudi Arabian airport (like Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam) to a large hub city in the continental United States, such as Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), or Seattle (SEA). From there, you'll catch a domestic flight to Hawaii, most likely landing at Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oahu or Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui. Finally, you'll complete your journey with a short inter-island flight from Honolulu or Kahului to Lanai Airport (LNY), often operated by Hawaiian Airlines (via Mokulele Airlines). Be prepared for a lengthy travel time due to layovers, and ensure you have all necessary U.S. entry visas.
After years of being known as an agriculture-focused landscape, Lanai has evolved into the most authentic and best-kept secret among the USA's 50 states — truly unlike anywhere else in the world. It offers a unique blend of exclusive luxury, deep historical roots, and an untouched natural environment, making it a compelling destination for those seeking an escape beyond the ordinary.
