Koele, Lanai

Koele at a Glance

Walter Murray Gibson, an adventurer from the southern United States, settled at the Palawai Basin in 1862. He was a representative from the church of the latter day saints and was tasked to develop a Mormon colony for native Hawaiians in the area. But, after a few years, he lost interest and used the church's money to buy some land properties off of Lanai islands to start his interest in ranching. One of the properties he bought was an area called Koele. Koele got its name from the ancient Hawaiian word, Ko'ele, which literally means a small land, cultivated and farmed for the sustenance of a village chief. Figuratively, Ko'ele describes the dark rainy clouds, drawn down across Koele from the Kaiholena Valley and the slopes of Lanai Hale that lie above.

A great ranch complex sprang from Koele and scattered around Lanai Island which has a perfect climate for raising livestock. Some 45,000 - 50,000 sheep and lambs, 600 horses, 500 horned Cattles, goats and hogs and numerous wild turkeys inhabited the island in 1893. Koele evolved from a small village to a 250 population ranch complex which has 30 residences, a local store, a one-room school house, offices and outlying buildings. Everything was focused on ranching.

By 1950, the Pineapple industry in Lanai flourished. The livelihood in Koele changed from ranching to farming. At present, Koele is a prime tourist destination. One of the most popular places to stay in Koele is the Four Seasons Lodge which is fully facilitated to provide its guests activities like horseback riding, golf and nature tripping.

Koele in Bullet Points

Koele Location

Koele Map (top)

Koele Weather (top)

Now
78°F
Windchill:
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
Location: Lanai City, HI, US
Wind: 8 mph W
Humidity: 62%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.05 in falling
Sunrise: 6:21 am
Sunset: 6:11 pm Mon
Hi: 79°F
Low: 68°F
Partly Cloudy
Tue
Hi: 80°F
Low: 69°F
PM Showers

Koele Photos (click to enlarge) (top)