On clear days, the west coast of Kauai overlooks a small island. It is only 17 miles away, but for most residents it is the only way to see Niihau Island. It is known as the Forbidden Island in Hawaii, and this nickname is perfect for him.
Despite being located very close to the Kauai resort, Niihau remains surprisingly isolated from the outside world. There are no roads, cars, shops or the Internet on the island. Its sandy beaches have seen far more wildlife than human footprints. Sleepy Hawaiian monk seals dot the coast and sharks swim along empty shores. But the island is inhabited by people.
Island history
When the Naihau island of Hawaii was bought by the Sinclair family in the 1860s, the inhabitants of the island, known as the Niihahuane, were allowed to stay, but outsiders had limited access to the island. Until now, only Nihauans, Robinsons (descendants of the titled family) and invited guests are allowed to be there.
In 1864, King Kamehameha V sold the island of Niihau to the ancestors of the Robinsons, the Sinclair family , for gold worth $ 10,000 and, according to some reports, demanded that the family promise to preserve the native Hawaiian language and Niihau's unique lifestyle.
These promises provided the nihahuns with the luxury that most modern travelers seek in the world: a truly secluded and unspoiled island.
Modernity
Niihahuane desperately defend their island. In 2013, a group of residents found violators fishing on their coastline. They recorded the attackers on a digital camera and went to court, asking for help in protecting their resources.
There are, however, several authorized ways to see Niihau. From Kauai you can head to the coastal waters of Niihau and go snorkelling. Of course, without the opportunity to go ashore. You can also dive into the Lehua Crater, a volcanic cone that is located north of the island of Niihau.
Can I get to the island?
If you want to go ashore, the Robinsons offer organized excursions and hunting safaris, transporting curious tourists in their private helicopter from Kauai to remote areas of Niihau. The tour consists of an air tour, and then tourists are taken to a remote beach for lunch and scuba diving. Long hunting trips can cost more than $ 1,700, but provide a bit more freedom of movement around the island.
Robinson tours help economically support Niihau, but deliberately avoid contact with locals. The village remains out of sight to protect the integrity of nihauan.
For Bruce Robinson, who is married to a native islander, maintaining a unique Nihau culture and lifestyle is a priority.
In 2013, he gave an interview in which he said that the islanders have a “sense of inner calm and renewal that we do not understand in the outside world. Western culture has lost it, and the rest of the islands, too. The only thing left of him is the island of Niihau in Hawaii. "