Luxe and limited best describe the lodging on Lanai; the island only has three hotels, two of which are top-rated Four Seasons resorts. There are no airports so you have to get here by ferry from Maui. But there's an ease that comes with being so remote, making it an ideal destination for couples who eschew crowded beaches and towering resorts. The island's offerings are concentrated in small areas, either upcountry in the picturesque Lanai City or around the pristine Hulopoe Bay, leaving a couple all the privacy they could wish for -- a romantic picnic, a sunset hike or a Jeep ride to a secluded beach.
Wedding Requirements It's easy to tie the knot in Hawaii. Both parties must be 18 or older (a driver's license will suffice for identification), and there are no citizenship, residency or blood test requirements. Divorcees must supply an original divorce decree; widows, an original death certificate. A marriage license is a must and can be applied for in person by the prospective bride and groom to-be before a marriage license agent. Once the license has been issued on the spot, there is no waiting period to say "I do." For more information, visit hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/vital-records/marriage
Major Lanai Attractions
Garden of the Gods Lanai doesn't reap the benefits of the regular rainfall like its island neighbors, so the landscape is an arid palette of red, purple and ochre. Nowhere is this more striking than in the rocky, moon-like area known as the Garden of the Gods. Ancient Hawaiian legend states that the boulders here were dropped from the sky by the gods tending to their gardens. Sweetheart Rock has a history as well: A warrior captured a beautiful princess from Maui and confined her to a cave near the offshore rock. One day, a storm came and the princess drowned. The warrior brought her body to the top of the rock and buried her there -- then leapt from the rock to his death. The drop is indeed dizzying, but also ruggedly beautiful. Enjoy these sites and more on a four-wheeling jeep safari.
Snorkeling at Hulopoe Hulopoe Bay is one of Hawaii's best hangout beaches. The wide golden beach is protected by an offshore reef, keeping the waters calm enough for snorkeling and swimming in the summer months. (Conditions get rougher in winter months, so visitors should proceed with caution.) Bring along a picnic lunch and plan to spend the day; the park has facilities including restrooms, showers and barbecue grills.
Off the Beaten Path
Munro Trail Active sorts can work up a sweat hiking the seven-mile dirt road, which winds its way along the rim of an extinct volcano and offers extraordinary views from 3,600 feet. (On a clear day, you can see six neighboring islands, including Maui and Molokai.) Don't have that much energy? Rent a jeep and drive it, stopping at suggested lookout points along the way. Bring plenty of water and a full tank of gas, as there are no facilities of any kind. — Emma Fox
