Niʻihau

Niʻihau

Niʻihau is a small, special island in Hawaii. It is the westernmost of the main islands and lies 17.5 miles southwest of Kauaʻi. This island is very dry and has few trees, but it is home to beautiful birds like the Hawaiian coot, the Hawaiian stilt, and the Hawaiian duck.

Life on Niʻihau

Only a few people live on Niʻihau. In 2020, there were about 84 people, and most of them are native Hawaiians. They speak the Hawaiian language and make lovely shell leis called lei pūpū. The island does not have electricity or running water. People use horses to travel and get power from the sun. They drink rainwater and grow their own food.

The “Forbidden Isle”

Niʻihau is sometimes called the “Forbidden Isle” because very few people are allowed to visit. Only the Robinson family, their relatives, U.S. Navy members, government workers, and special guests can go there. The island has been owned by the Robinson family since 1864 when a Scottish woman named Elizabeth Sinclair bought it. Today, two brothers, Bruce and Keith Robinson, take care of the island.

A Quiet Island

Niʻihau is quiet and peaceful. It has special plants and animals, and some people visit for short tours or hunting trips. The island is very important to the people who live there, and they work hard to keep it a special place.