When Top Gun star Tom Cruise recently totaled a Toyota Land Cruiser off-roading on the largely-private island of Lanai, it reminded us of some things we’ve been reporting on for a decade. And it caused us to revisit his role there, as well as Larry Ellison’s, and to think about changes happening on Lanai before our next trip there.
Relatively unvisited, the secretive Lanai is an enigma in Hawaii.
In the first four months of 2022, the island only received 20,000 visitors, while the rest of the state was on tourism fire. Many of them flew privately or on on Ellison’s own Lanai Air. They stayed at one of the two Ellison-owned exclusive resorts (rates from $1,500). Or they stayed at his in-town boutique Hotel Lanai (rates from $300), previously owned by Mary Charles.
The island is otherwise best known for its beautiful secluded beaches, diving, and its four-wheel driving. It’s part of Maui County, and it couldn’t be more different than Maui Island, which sits just 9 miles away. It’s also known as a US haven for the elite, including not only Tom and Larry, but also the likes of Cindy Crawford, Jessica Alba, and Will Smith, just to name a few. When visiting Lanai, don’t be surprised to see frequent private jets at its airport and yachts in its surrounding waters.
Under Ellison, Lanai planned to create its own desalination plant, has a Tesla supercharger (one of only two in the entire state), and developed hydroponic farming.
Lanai, Grand Cayman, The Firm, and The Company.
Jeff (BOH editor) said that in some ways, Lanai reminds him of the Cayman Islands as depicted in the movie The Firm, coincidentally staring Tom Cruise. Perhaps it’s the exclusivity, the secretiveness, or the isolation of both places. Jeff spent a lot of time at what was then Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman, where much of that movie was filmed and has experienced both islands up close.
Tom Cruise’s accident, for example, even though it totaled a very expensive vehicle, didn’t result in a police report. Instead, the incident was leaked by persons on Lanai to the press. After all, it is a 98% privately owned island, and police reports appear to be optional. The Maui Police Department, Cruise, Ellison, and the Lanai Companies refused to comment on the incident.
Lanai is cleverly out of reach of content-hungry paparazzi. And with the entire island, including its only source of news being controlled by a single company voice, independence and transparency obviously come into question. People on Lanai have referred to Ellison’s’ enterprise as The Company.
Ellison owns 98% of Lanai; he moved there permanently in 2020.
With the exception of 2% of Lanai that’s state-owned, Ellison is also the primary employer for the 3,000 people who live there. His Lanai empire, which he acquired in 2012, includes two resorts, a hotel, a grocery store, housing, its only online newspaper, and more. Plans to develop yet another high-end resort were dropped.
In 2020, Rich and Famous in Hawaii’s Oracle co-founder announced he had permanently relocated, together with his private jet, to Lanai. That in a string of high-tech west coast executives leaving for higher ground.
Considered to be in the top dozen richest people on earth, the 77-year-old Ellison said, “I’ve moved to the State of Hawaii and I’ll be using the power of Zoom to work from the island of Lanai. Mahalo, Larry.”
Ellison bought the island from David Murdoch, who in turn had bought it from Dole. Dole acquired Lanai in the early 1900s to create the world’s largest pineapple plantation, which still existed as recently as the 1990s.
What’s the connection between Top Gun’s Tom Cruise and Lanai Island?
Years ago it was rumored that Cruise would take a role in marketing the island owned by his friend Ellison. Cruise visited the island in 2012, and likely before, at the invitation of Ellison.
Cruise has for years worked with Eliison’s son, producer David Ellison, who owns Skydance Media, the company behind the new Top Gun sequel. After a slow start in show business (BOH editor Jeff’s legacy industry), his business took off. Skydance Media has been funded by Larry Ellison, whose son admitted, “my family is the largest shareholder in the business.”
David Ellison spent the past 10 years working with Cruise to develop the new Top Gun: Maverick, which has just passed $700 Million worldwide. He said recently, “the movie could not mean more to me. It’s one of my favorite of all times. I will never forget seeing the film when I was a little kid because it was the movie that made me want to become a pilot. And I started flying airplanes when I was 13 years old.”
Thus, Cruise is far from being an arm’s length visitor to Lanai. He appears rather to have a close connection to “The Company.”
Nearly 10 years ago, Cruise was said to be buying a number of properties on Lanai overlooking famed Manale Bay. His purported plans included demolition of existing homes and building a super-mansion for himself overlooking Manele Bay. Whether or not that happened has, in true Lanai form, never been reported. And if it did or does, would any outsider even know about it?
It’s been a few years since we last stepped foot on Lanai, but that too is about to change.
Visiting Lanai has always been a dramatic step back in time. Totally unlike the other Hawaiian Islands, this smallest of Hawaii’s inhabited and visitable islands features a mere 30 miles of roads which are paved. The rest are dirt and are in varying but not great conditions, which likely led to Cruise’s crash.
Beat of Hawaii editors have both stayed on Lanai, and in the waters surrounding Lanai onboard a ship. We are planning a return incognito visit to the island to stay at one of its resorts, and we’ll report back.
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Ellison has done Quite Well for himself and his family. Stewardship of the island must be a daunting task that is delegated to trusted advisors and employees with the Most Important decisions being Ellisons. Employing that many people, keeping secrecy intact, is of great concern. Why own it if you can’t control it! Of course Friends, like Tom Cruise, and other wealthy people will visit, the Seclusive Secrecy is enjoyed by them all.
We stayed at the Hotel Lanai (the fabulous Sarah!) a couple years ago and had a delightful visit. The entire experience could not have been more enjoyable, from seeing dolphins on the way over and back, the fabulous meals, the historical museum, the shopping, the beauty, visiting with people, and just wandering around. All of it!
It should be stressed that of the 900+ older, single-family homes on Lanai, about 80% are privately owned; the Company owns the remainder. However, 100% of the commercially-zoned property is owned by the Company so all businesses must lease from the company, on short-term leases, most now on month-to-month leases: That is control. The major landholder on Lanai, (whether it be Dole, Murdock, or now Ellison) has always been called The Company. I worked and lived on Lanai for 12 years, before the fake, plastic, generic hotels, and I was fortunate to call the island my home. My heart goes out to the true people of Lanai who experience daily pain caused by the greed of others.
KO, your description of Lanai is interesting. The long time residents must find living there pleasurable or most would have left. I typically find that Greed is in the eyes of the beholder and not the owner. With the Investments made, the jobs created, and Ellison’s Commitment to the Viable future of the Island that people would be excited with his Stewardship. Normal people do visit also. Not Everyone will always be satisfied but trying to helps! Thanks.
Ernie S the problem is that people don’t want a steward…no one person should gave that much control over people without representation. I can’t believe Hawaii sold Lanai for only 300 million…and is still operating in the red
Lived there for 2 years during recession, only 1 gas station , 2 grocery stores only opened at different times, totally beautiful but private ownership, definable challenging
Can I come?
I lived on Maui for twenty five years and had been to Lana’i many times including when my son lived there. He was involved in the building of the Manele Condos by the Manele Hotel. Very interesting little town and full of history.
A few years ago we booked a tour to Lanai. We took the ferry from Lahaina & were met by a local resident guide who took us around the island in his private vehicle with another couple. Our guide had lived in California but was been born and raised on Lanai and felt the pull to return. His immediate family all live on Lanai. It was very interesting to get his perspective and what it’s like to live in this small tight knit community. As a bonus we saw more whales and spinner dolphins on the ferry ride than we had on a whale watching cruise.
Aloha “Beat”,
I am a Montessori educator, although I currently live on the Mainland, I did interview with Discovery “Montessori” school in Hawthorne, California, for a spot on the staff for the newly built school on Lānaʻi, which, incidently, the ad welcomed folks who had some cultural knowledge of the islands. Of course, they moved their “teacher/guides” to Lānaʻi and then went on to interview and hire for the Hawthorne California pre-school. So sad that true integration is not part of Larry’s actions. Maybe you can’t believe everything you read, yet I am a firm believer that information in Hawai’i is part of it’s hearbeat. So, thank you for printing!
It saddens me that beautiful Lan’i is forcing out long time residents to make it a playground for the elite. First the US steals it from the kingdom of Hawai’i and sells it to a corporation, and it is sold again. The few remaining residents are virtual slaves.
Hi Katrina K, I hope that the future bodes well for you. I’m sorry to say that your interpretations of Historical Events is Inaccurate, No One stole Hawaii from the Hawaiians. If Ellison buys property which includes Houses that typically entails the then previous owners to move. Where they go isn’t at issue. Maligning people by repeating the absurd tall tales of other’s with a purpose and despite the apparent truth isn’t the best way to go through life. Lanai is doing well under Ellison, no mass migration of inhabitants or forced labor. It’s another Beautiful Hawaiian Island.
China or Russia could have bought it. Sounds like a lot of jealous people. I would love to live on the island with my family. I’ve had the luxury of vacationing on the Hawaiian Islands for a few months.
I don’t plan to ever go back.
Maybe a European home. I’m on the East Coast.
Be Happy Everyone and control the space you stand in.
My wife and I spent a day in Lanai. I rented a car and while driving around town I noticed that everyone that I pass was waving saying hi. So I started waving at everyone and I felt the Aloha spirit. We tried the coffee shop at the four seasons hotel and it was delicious. The four seasons hotel is so beautiful that I wish to stay there one day. I will never forget this island. It’s very special place. Aloha
Great article guys! We have been to Lana’i three times…a few day trips on the boat from Maui…one was a highly recommended tour with Trilogy Ocean Adventures plus we stayed at the Hotel Lana’i back in 2004 for 4 nights as part of a larger island hop trip to Hawaii. It is a great island that manages to keep most of its charm but clearly an out of the way place that very few will ever get to experience.
Who is “Jeff” mentioned in this article?
I stayed at the Lodge at Koele in early December 2001. I will never forget one of the beautiful Christmas trees decorated in red, white, and blue.
My good friend Kimo Gardner played piano in the lobby at the Lodge. He is the brother of the very famous Hawaiian music artist, Loyal Gardner.
Kimo and his wife Patsy invited me for a visit to their home and gifted me with a 10lb venison roast that I brought home with me to Kauai.
Wild deer and turkeys were wandering the fairways of the golf course by the Lodge. I also ordered venison at the restaurant at the Lodge.
I visited Hotel Lanai and loved walking around in Lanai City. I didn’t need a car to get around then. Free shuttle service was avail
That was 11 years before Ellison bought Lanai. We are now 10 years post Ellison.
Unfortunately, there is nothing about the place that even resembles the Lodge anymore. It’s been entirely whitewashed and all traces of local heritage removed.
Awww; I ❤ Loyal Gardner!!!…
Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth. No place like it. One word Beautiful ❤️.
Resident here. *Lānaʻi. Our airport is too small for “many jets” and I have never seen many yachts in our waters. Lānaʻi is not a privately owned island! Lānaʻi belongs to the state of Hawaii. Ellison simply owns property here; as do I and many others. He can claim anything he wants but don’t you have to physically be here for at least 6 months out of the year to legally be a resident? “The Company” is a local throwback to Lanai Company who managed the island for *Murdock. It’s *Mānele but you have Hulopo’e Bay pictured in the lead photo. We haven’t had pineapple since the early 90’s. Road conditions are fine if you are properly equipped and recognize your limits.
If he leased the land from the state which is a lease hold like any other real estate on Hawai’i then he wouldn’t own the land itself. But if it was a fee simple, he would own 98% of the land. I hope he’s just leasing it from the State of Hawai’i.
He bought the land, cash pocket money. No leases involved.
Like I said, he is no different than any other land owner here. I own mine and he owns his; his just happens to be a larger lot.
I traveled to Lanai in June 2020, right after Hawaii opened up inter-island travel again. The resorts were not open so I stayed in a B&B. Coming from Oahu, you could almost forget the world was in the middle of a pandemic. The people were wonderful and so appreciative of and helpful to guests. I was surprised at the number of shops that were open…I was afraid many would still be closed. Of course, much of what I wanted to see on Lanai was outdoors and isolated (Polihua Beach, Keahiakawelo and Kaunolu village to name a few). I need to go back because the cat sanctuary was closed and I didn’t get to do all the hikes I wanted to do.
I’d love to know where Tom Cruise totaled the Land Cruiser. I’ve driven about 60% of the dirt roads on the island, and while some of them do need 4 wheel drive, none of them are what I”d call particularly technical.
All in all, I hope that Lana’i can keep its “old Hawaii” charm, and the residents aren’t forced out by excessively wealthy people.
We’ve been to Lana’i several times. Once stayed at the Hotel Lana’i years ago, before the remodel and the attendant price increases. Never stayed at either of the two resorts; far too rich for our blood.
I’m not yet convinced that Ellison and his building is good for the island. There have been some improvements for sure, such as restoring the pool and basketball courts for the community, refurbishing one of the grocery stores, refurbing the theater. But there is an enormous house being built a ways from the Manele Bay, and a number of quite high end homes back behind the old Koele golf course. As of last year, there were plans and models of some “affordable” housing going in.
I believe all the high end units are his personal properties, including the large one currently under construction above The Views. If I understand correctly, the affordable housing is still moving forward. I have some vague recollection of a notice that housing applications were being accepted already. They’ve broken ground for something, anyway.
Is Ellison a Sea Org, too?
I Really enjoyed reading this article. Thanks for sharing and educating us further on Lanai!
Hi Kyle.
Thanks. We appreciate the feedback and all of your comments over the last 2 ½1/2 years.
Aloha.
Thank you, BOH, for this article on Lanai. Lanai is our favorite Hawaii island and we have been fortunate to visit there twice – for our 45th wedding anniversary in 2014 and for our 50th anniversary in 2019. In 2014, we stayed at the resort at Koele which has since been remodeled as a spa experience. In 2019, we stayed at the Four Seasons Resort at Manele. Our experiences at both resorts were beyond our expectations. The local people we met were kind and gracious and radiated a pride in their island home. We are definitely not “famous” like the people mentioned in your article, but we were always welcomed wherever we went. My husband and I love Lanai. For us, it is paradise. Thanks for reading.
Hi Sue.
Thanks for sharing your Lanai experiences with us.
Aloha
Aloha! I live on Lanai. A desal plant was not built. It was turned down by the Lanai Planning Commission. Although not publicly stated, the members thought it would eventually increase the population on the island. Tom Cruise no longer has desires to build here although it’s rumored Elon Musk does.
The desal plant wasn’t “turned down”. The commission gave him a shorter time frame than he asked for, and he used that as an excuse to back out.
Correct!
I understand from corporate, and hopefully I correct, that the 30 year permit to operate was denied- and 3 five year permits were approved- so- 15 years with County of Maui a right to pull the permit every 5 years-
So- ….”you wait for the board of supervisors/commissioners to turn, and try again in the future”
I’ve lived on Lanai for 30 years. Ellison has not built a (much needed) desalination plant. He promised one, then reneged. Unfortunately.
Ahhhhhh….I remember the days when…..We used to to to Lanai from out home on Maui, for every special celebration, anniversary, birthday, etc. It was just the best. even camped there at the beach a time or two. it was under $200 a night for kamaaina at the beach hotel. Now over $2000. No discount even tho we dont take his airplane but use the ferry. The local business are not flourishing from what we could see last year when we bit the big bullet and stayed at Sensi. The hotels remodeled – Sensi is beautiful but looks like a big “Pottery Barn”. Manelee bay hotel has lost all it’s comfy charm. $20 to take the bus unless you are hotel guest. Just not friendly to locals at all. very sad very sad…to lose a place so dear to us.
Tome Cruise is a member and promoter of the cult Scientology which has been known to kidnap people against their will.
Visiting Lanai is out of reach for most of us, most especially us residents. Perhaps you should read the article from Bloomberg least week. Ellison has set up businesses to compete with those owned by locals, priced the hotel for the White Lotus crowd, stripped resident housing leases down to 30 days, and filled what there is for rentals with workers and laborers for his company. The one home for sale was 7.9 mill. Who will care for the visitors when residents can’t live there? Will they travel with their private entourages? Ellison did to Lanai what he does to everything else…ruin it for everyone that is not his billionaire friend.
Many, many current residents cannot afford, literally, to leave the island. Where would they go If they had the funds to even move o off the island. So very many are captives on Lanai and, yes, those are the people who will continue to serve the filthy rich. Trust me, I know, from personal experience.
We stayed at the resort by the bay and had a wonderful, brief stay. The upside was superior surface and we thought restaurants we great. We flew onto the island and check in at the resort table at the airport. They took care of bags and we boarded the bus to the resort. We were greeted by a personal concierge who arranged our dining. We went into “town” a couple of times and enjoyed talking to people. I swam with the wild dolphins off the beach. The downside, we felt a lot like we were out of our element, not mistreated by anyone, but there was more wealth floating around then we were comfortable with; we have made 55 trips to the islands since 99, and the only time it felt this way. We’ve stayed at the Four Seasons on the Big Island too.
Aloha BOH,
Very interesting article – than you ! I first visited Lanai in 1978 while aboard the Trilogy.. was so impressed with the beauty, the people and the beaches.. we took a tour of Lanai town and met some of the kindest local people we’ve ever encountered throughout the islands. Will be interested in hearing your thoughts after your stay.
Mahalo
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl.
Thanks for commenting on your Lanai experience. It’s about the same as ours.
Aloha.
Thanks for the interesting article. Fascinating!
Lanell
Hi Lanell.
Thanks for being a part of this over the past four years!
Aloha.