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Niihau Hawaii

Niihau Hawaii is a small island west of Kauai encompasses some seventy-two square miles and remains largely in a pristine, natural state, mostly because it’s privately owned. Niihau is called "The Forbidden Island." Less than 300 people live on Niihau. If you want to travel to Niihau Hawaii, you should get an express invitation from one of the Forbidden Island's residents. Otherwise tourists can not stay here.

Niihau was originally purchased from King Kamehameha V by Elizabeth Sinclair in 1864. She settled there and since then, the Robinson family (the descendents of Elizabeth) have owned the island, using most of the land for a cattle ranch.

Many of Niihau's residents are employed by the Robinson family and work on this ranch. Niihau is the only island that voted against statehood in 1959, it remains a final refuge for Hawaiians uninterested in the modern way of life.

There is no electricity, plumbing, or ammenities of any kind. The locals still hunt and fish for a living, using traditional methods. The village of Puuwai is the main settlement on Niihau. The language spoken is Hawaiian.

The only uninveted guest on Niihau island was a Japaneese pilot, who ditched on Niihau after Pearl Harbor and took the whole Puuwai village hostage. Using whatever weapons were at hand, they captured the pilot during what is known as "the battle of Niihau".

Since tourists are not accepted, there is no any tourist service on Niihau Hawaii: no hotels, no excursion or travel agencies. People of Niihau want to preserve traditional Hawaiian culture as far as possible in today’s world.

Today, the residents of Niihau Hawaii do allow helicopter tours, and snorkeling and diving along the island’s coast. The water here is so crystal clear and the submarine life is so beautiful and diverse, that the most spoiled of divers cant help but awe at the humbling beauty of Niihau.