Lanai may be one of the smaller Hawaiian Islands, but that’s not going to stop the island from some big Christmas and New Years celebrations. If you’re going to be on luxurious Lanai for the holidays, you’ll find quite a few special holiday meals. If you’re on Maui and the Maui Christmas and New Years Events don’t strike your fancy, then consider a short ferry ride over to Lanai for your celebrations. (Note that ferry sailings are mostly daytime sailings, so bear in mind that for day trips since you’ll only be there for daytime meals. Perhaps, you could consider an overnight stay on Lanai if you find something special.) Here’s what you’ll find on Lanai.
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2008
* Traditional three course dinner at the Terrace served from 6pm to 9pm. The menu includes butternut squash bisque, organic turkey breast medallions stuffed with dried fruits and savory bread pudding, and apple pie with cinnamon ice cream. The price $55 for adults and $27.50 for children under 12. Taxes and gratuity are not included.
* The Dining Room at the Lodge at Koele will offer a lovely six course dinner from 6pm to 9pm. The price is $95 for adults and $47.50 for children under 12. I’ll mention a few tasty courses, like a lobster salad with truffle vinaigrette is one of the first courses. For entree you can choose between a duo of beef (seared tenderloin and braised rib with Hamakua mushrooms or seared Onaga with leek lemon marmalade and asparagus. For dessert, there’s a flourless chocolate cake with cherry compote and chocolate chip ice cream. Taxes and gratuity are not included.
* The Ihilani will offer a four course set menu with a bit of an Italian flare. Entree choices include red wine marinated salmon or slow cooked lamb shank or balsamic glazed duck breast. The price is $85 for adults and $42.50 for children under 12. Taxes and gratuity are not included.
Christmas Day, December 25, 2008
* Christmas Day Buffet at the Great Hall of the Lodge at Koele will be served from noon until 4pm. The buffet will include stations for appetizers, chilled fish (such as shrimp, seared ahi, salmon tatki, etc.), a carving station with traditional holiday entrees, and two dessert stations. The price is $65 for adults and $32.50 for children under 12. Taxes and gratuity are not included.
* The Hulopoe Court will offer a Christmas Buffet Dinner from 5pm to 9pm. The buffet will include an appetizer station, seafood display station, carving station and a well stocked dessert station. The price is $65 for adults and $32.50 for children under 12. Taxes and gratuity are not included. (I’ll add in my two cents here. This restaurant was my favorite on my visit to Lanai.)
* Traditional three course dinner at the Terrace served from 6pm to 9pm. The menu includes butternut squash bisque, organic turkey breast medallions stuffed with dried fruits and savory bread pudding, and apple pie with cinnamon ice cream. The price $55 for adults and $27.50 for children under 12. Taxes and gratuity are not included.
* The Dining Room at the Lodge at Koele will offer a lovely six course dinner from 6pm to 9pm. The price is $95 for adults and $47.50 for children under 12. I’ll mention a few tasty courses, like a lobster salad with truffle vinaigrette is one of the first courses. For entree you can choose between a duo of beef (seared tenderloin and braised rib with Hamakua mushrooms or seared Onaga with leek lemon marmalade and asparagus. For dessert, there’s a flourless chocolate cake with cherry compote and chocolate chip ice cream. Taxes and gratuity are not included.
* The Ihilani will offer a four course set menu with a bit of an Italian flare. Entree choices include red wine marinated salmon or slow cooked lamb shank or balsamic glazed duck breast. The price is $85 for adults and $42.50 for children under 12. Taxes and gratuity are not included.
New Years Eve, December 31, 2008
* Guests of the two Lanai Four Seasons resorts are invited to a New Year’s Eve Gala from 8:30pm to 12:30pm at the Hale Halawai ocean view ballroom at Manele Bay. The evening includes live music and fireworks. Light pupus and a cash bar will be open throughout the evening.
* If you aren’t a guest of the Four Seasons, you’ll still be able to see the fireworks from the Manele Bay area. It might be nice to find a seat on the sand at Hulopoe beach to watch the display. Double check with the resort staff for suggestions of where to go to see the fireworks.
* The Ihilani offers a seven-course prix fixe menu from 6pm to 9pm. The cost is $135 per person. If you’d like to add the wine pairing the cost is $185 per person. Taxes and gratuity are not included.
* The Dining Room at the Lodge at Koele offers a five-course set New Year’s Eve menu from 6pm to 9pm. Entrees include the choice of pan seared Onaga, Seared Beef Tenderloin or Poached Kona Lobster tail. The price is $135 per person not including taxes or gratuity.
Sheila Beal
