Not many people get to visit Lanai, but those who do love to spend some time at the Lana’i Cat Sanctuary. It is adorable and tugs at your heartstrings. You didn’t know that you needed to add a this to your Hawaii trip, but you do. Yes, it’s tricky to get to Lanai and there are other things to do on the island besides hang out with cats, but it’s such a special experience you’ll want to make time for it. We’ve got tips for visiting Lanai, having a good visit with the kitties at the sanctuary, and information about cat adoption. Take a look!
Have you been to the Lana’i Cat Sanctuary before? It’s pretty special and they are doing really great work, both for the feral cats of the Islands and for the bird populations of Hawaii (more on that below). If you have any questions about visiting the cat sanctuary or Lanai in general, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more.
Why Visit the Lanai Cat Sanctuary
Initially I thought it was kind of weird to visit a cat sanctuary when we visited Lanai, but it was actually pretty great. For the kids, the highlight was getting to meet all the cats and hear their names, their stories and to give the cats ALL of the attention. Our kids love to meet animals everywhere we go, but having an activity that’s whole purpose is just to show animals some love and that it’s very welcome, that was truly the highlight. They loved spending time with the “Lanai Lions.”
While the cats aren’t perfectly groomed like they’re going to be in a show, they are very clean and we had no hesitation petting them and being close. Having said that, not every cat wants you to be close to them. The staff at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary is so caring and they pay attention to the kitties and know them. Visitors are guided through the cat interactions to be sure both humans and cats have the best experience.
What’s the deal with the Cat Sanctuary?
Hawaii is a closed ecosystem for the most part. There are very few endemic species and over the years several invasive species have been introduced, both intentionally and not. Cats are one of them. Yes, lots of people have pet cats all across the Islands, but there is also a huge feral cat population. These feral cats are the problem as they hunt and kill birds all around Hawaii. There are several species that they’ve hunted TOO MUCH, so there’s been a solid animal control effort to manage the cat population to save the birds. That’s one of the big benefits of the Lanai Cat Sanctuary.
Tips for Visiting the Lanai Cat Sanctuary
Everyone is different, but how can you go to the Lanai Cat Sanctuary and not want to take a million photos. Bring a big camera or a camera phone, it doesn’t matter. Enjoy snapping pics with all the new friends, or just go for full-on cat portraiture. I think it’s such a fun place to spend some of your Lanai time. When you visit, be sure to wear light colors so cat hair and paw prints don’t show up. Also, don’t forget to wash your hands after handling the cats and before leaving the property.
You’re welcome to bring a picnic or snacks when you visit, but there are no human services at the cat sanctuary. There is also no cell service, so you’ll be able to fully disconnect and just enjoy your time engaging with the Lanai Lions as they roam about.
Can I adopt a Cat from Lanai?
Yes! You can adopt a cat from the Lanai Cat Sanctuary. There is a doctor who visits the sanctuary a few times a month to make sure cats that are being adopted are both healthy for transport AND that they’ll meet the requirements for adopting away from the state of Hawaii. You can’t just decide on the day you visit the Lanai Cat Sanctuary that they’re all coming home with you, but if you’re moved while visiting, you can start the process and the team will help you through the adoption journey.
If you want to support the good work they do but aren’t ready to bring home a new friend, you can also make a donation or do “Adopt in Place” and the cat you “adopt” will continue to live at the sanctuary.
Cat Sanctuary Operating Info
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan and book your special visit to spend time with the kitties, the Lanai Lions.
- Operating Dates/Season: year round, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, no appointment needed
- Office phone number: 808-215-9066
- Company website: About the Sanctuary
- Sanctuary address: 1 Kaupili Road, Lanai City 96763
How to Get to Lana’i
When you’re planning your Hawaii trip, I’m sure you’re thinking about spending most of your time on Maui or Oahu, maybe the Big Island, so you’ll have to plan a few days to spend on Lana’i. It’s actually fairly easy to get to from either Maui or Oahu. You can fly from either Kahului (OGG), Maui or Honolulu (HNL), Oahu to Lanai City on Mokulele Airlines. It’s usually just over $100 round trip from OGG and around $150 from HNL. If you’re booking the Four Seasons for a stay, they’ll coordinate both your flight and island transportation with you.
You can also plan to get to Lanai from Maui via the foot ferry. Service goes between Mā’alaea (Maui) and the Mānele boat dock several times a day. The cost for round trip transportation is around $130 per adult or about $70 per child.
Once on Lanai there are taxis or shuttles, depending on what you’re planning. The Four Seasons provides a shuttle for guests visiting for events or who are staying with them. If you want to rent your own vehicle, you can arrange that through Lanai Car Rental in advance ($100-$250 per day).
Where to Stay on Lanai
Visiting Lana’i is frequently a day trip, but if you’re one of the lucky few that gets to come here for several days, you have just a few options for where to stay on Lanai. There is either the Four Seasons Resort or the Hotel Lanai. Both are very nice and quite costly, but the experience is so tailored to your travel party that you’ll no doubt have whatever you need for a wonderful stay.
There are a very limited number of vacation rentals on Lana’i. I will say that this is the most cost effective option for a multi-day visit, but after taxes and fees, you may still be coming out close to the cost of one of the hotel options. I like the flexibility and privacy of a vacation rental, and I like that this is a way for locals to enjoy a slice of the tourism dollars, but it’s also a fine line to walk, as vacation rentals take away from housing that can be used my kamaaina, so you decide what’s the best option for you.
More Things to do on Lanai
Lanai is a small island and not heavily developed. There are very few activities in comparison to what you’ll do in a week on the Big Island or when you’re touring Oahu. Lana’i is all about the natural side of Hawaii and keeps things mellow. There is the Lana’i Adventure Park, where you can do ziplining and other structured activities, but on the whole, Lanai is about exploring the undeveloped.
Here are our top picks for things to do on Lanai:
- Enjoy a day at Hulopoʻe Beach Park
- Visit the Lanai Cat Santuary
- Trek to Keahiakawelo Garden of the Gods
- rent Ebikes at the Lanai Adventure Center
- Hike at Koloiki Ridge through forests to amazing views
- Visit Puʻupehe, aka Sweetheart Rock (short hike), near the boat harbor
- Do an adventurous hike or 4×4 to Polihua Beach
- Visit Kaunolū Fishing Village National Historic Site
As I said, Lanai is quiet and small, but it’s beautiful. There are lots more hiking trails to explore and if you’re staying at the Four Seasons you’ll have access to many amenities, including horseback riding. Lanai is beautiful and I know you’ll love your time here.
I hope you’ll consider visiting Lanai and supporting the Lana’i Cat Sanctuary. It’s a special island and a very special place. If you have any questions about planning this part of your Hawaii trip, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!
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