Lanaihale

Lanaihale is the highest point on the Hawaiian island of Lanai. Located near the island's center, it rises above the surrounding highlands and marks the apex of Lanai's volcanic interior. The peak is a prominent feature of the island's topography and gives its name to the surrounding uplands.

Geology: Lanaihale is part of the internal volcanic structure of Lanai, formed during the early shield-building stage of the island's formation. The summit and adjacent slopes are composed largely of basaltic rock, with rugged terrain that includes ridges, canyons, and sparse vegetation.

Climate and ecology: The elevation creates a cooler, wetter microclimate compared with coastal Lanai. Clouds frequently hover over the summit, and rainfall is higher. Native Hawaiian plant communities once dominated the upper elevations, but past grazing and introduced species have altered the ecology. Today, the area supports limited wildlife and serves as a refuge for some rare or endemic species.

Access and human use: The lands around Lanaihale are largely privately owned and part of Lanai's interior ranching and land-management area. Public access to the immediate summit is therefore limited; visitors may reach viewpoints or trails only with permission. The summit area hosts utility and communications facilities and is managed as part of broader conservation or land-management efforts on Lanai.

See also: Lanai; List of highest points on Hawaiian Islands; Hawaiian volcanism.