What happens if you go to Niihau?

Summary

Niihau: The Forbidden Island

In this article, I will discuss the fascinating island of Niihau, known as “The Forbidden Island.” From its ownership to the lifestyle of its residents, these are the intriguing aspects of Niihau that make it a truly unique place.

Key Points

1. Ownership and Restrictions

Niihau was purchased from King Kamehameha in 1864 and has been privately owned by the Robinson family ever since. Visits to the island are restricted, and unauthorized entry is considered trespassing.

2. Life on Niihau

The island’s residents, descendants of the Robinsons, live a simple and self-sufficient life. They rely on fishing and farming for sustenance and do not have access to amenities like indoor plumbing.

3. Language and Culture

Niihau is the last place where the Hawaiian language is predominantly spoken. The island’s residents strive to preserve their Hawaiian culture and have made efforts to protect Niihau from outside influences.

4. Tourism and Education

Tourists are not allowed on Niihau without an invitation from the Robinson family or the island’s residents. The island is also home to the Niihau High and Elementary School, operated by the Hawaii Department of Education.

5. Unanswered Questions

1. Why is no one allowed on Niihau?

2. What happens if you go to Niihau uninvited?

3. Can people on Niihau leave the island?

Residents occasionally travel off the island for pleasure or work, resulting in a temporary decrease in population.

4. Who currently owns the island of Niihau?

The Robinson family, descendants of the original owners, own and maintain the island today.

5. How do you get invited to Niihau?

Only residents, members of the Robinson family, or invited guests are allowed to land on Niihau. Helicopter tours are permitted, but contact with the residents is not allowed.

6. What families live on Niihau?

The Kamaaina Robinson family, descendants of the original owners, are the main residents of Niihau, dedicated to preserving the island’s Hawaiian culture.

7. Are there police on Niihau?

No, there is no police force, fire department, or indoor plumbing on the island.

8. What do people on Niihau do for a living?

Residents rely on fishing and farming for their food, leading a simple life in the only inhabited village of Puuwai.

9. Are tourists allowed on Niihau?

Only those invited by the Robinson family or the island’s residents, comprising about 70 full-time Native Hawaiian residents, are permitted to visit Niihau.

10. Are there schools on Niihau?

Yes, the island is home to Niʻihau High and Elementary School, operated by the Hawaii Department of Education.

11. Does Niihau have police or pay taxes?

No, Niihau has no police force, fire department, or indoor plumbing. Regarding taxes, the Kauai County Council has imposed a flat tax rate for the island based on certain factors.

12. How do people live on Niihau?

Residents primarily work on the Robinson family’s cattle and sheep ranch. They lead a secluded lifestyle, adhering to traditional Hawaiian customs.

13. What language does Niihau speak?

The predominant language spoken on Niihau is the Hawaiian language, which is also taught in the island’s school.

14. How do people on Niihau live?

The residents of Niihau live a simple life, relying on traditional practices. Guns, alcohol, and cigarettes are prohibited, and modern amenities are scarce.

Questions and Answers

1. Why is no one allowed on Niihau?

Once owned by Royalty, Niihau was purchased from King Kamehameha in 1864 and up to 1987, visits to the island were typically restricted to the owners and their guests, or government officials, which is how it gained its moniker; “The Forbidden Island”.

2. What happens if you go to Niihau uninvited?

What happens if you go to Niihau uninvited Turns out that Ni'ihau is called the Forbidden Isle because it's private property owned entirely by the Robinson family. Showing up without an invitation is trespassing, and the Robinson family doesn't appreciate uninvited visitors.

3. Can people on Niihau leave?

The Niihau Cultural Heritage Foundation says that number can drop to below 30 during the summer months as people travel for pleasure or work. "People leave the island all the time," Peter T. Young, Hawaii's former Department of Land and Natural Resources director and Hawaii historian, told HuffPost.

4. Who currently owns the island of Niihau?

When the Sinclairs purchased the island in 1864, they committed to maintaining Niihau's Hawaiian culture. Brothers Bruce and Keith Robinson, descendants of the Sinclairs, own the island today, and they have continued to protect the island from the pressures of the outside world.

5. How do you get invited to Niihau?

No one is allowed to land on Niihau unless you are a resident of the island, a member of the Robinson family, or an invited guest. The Robinson family permits helicopter tours, but contact between the visitors and natives is not allowed. Fishermen and sailors may visit the island by sea but are not able to land.

6. What families live on Niihau?

King Kamehameha IV sold it for $10,000 in 1863 to Elizabeth Sinclair of Scotland. Her descendants, the Kamaaina (meaning “Old-Timer”) Robinson family, continue to live on the island and have attempted to preserve Hawaiian culture there.

7. Are there police on Niihau?

No police. No fire department. And no indoor plumbing.

8. What do people on Niihau do?

Residents typically rely on fishing and farming for most of their food. The only inhabited village is Puuwai, where residents live a simple life, getting around by walking, or riding horses and bicycles.

9. Are tourists allowed on Niihau?

No one is allowed to visit Hawaii's Forbidden Isle—the 70-square-mile island, which on a clear day can be spied from Kauai's west coast—unless they are invited by Niihau owners the Robinson family or by one of its 70 full-time Native Hawaiian residents.

10. Are there schools on Niihau?

Ni'ihau High & Elementary School or Niihau Island School is a public K-12 school in Niihau, Hawaii, United States. It is operated by the Hawaii Department of Education.

11. Does Niihau pay taxes?

On Wednesday the Kauai County Council approved legislation to impose an annual flat tax rate of $40,000 for Niihau based on a series of factors, including the island's contributions to agriculture and Hawaiian culture and its sparse use of county services.

12. Does Niihau have police?

No police. No fire department. And no indoor plumbing.

13. How do people live on Niihau?

Niihau is the only place left in the world where the predominant language is Hawaiian. About 250 natives live on the 73-square-mile island, most working on the Robinsons' cattle and sheep ranch. Guns, alcohol, and cigarettes are forbidden. There is no doctor, no jail, no paved roads.

14. What language does Niihau speak?

The Hawaiian language (known as “mother tongue”) is a dialect predominantly spoken on the island of Niihau and in its only settlement, Puuwai. Today, the Niʻihau dialect is taught in Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha.

15. How do people on Niihau live?

Residents of Niihau live a simple life, relying on traditional practices and adhering to the preservation of Hawaiian culture. Guns, alcohol, and cigarettes are prohibited, and modern amenities are scarce.

Why is no one allowed on Niihau

Once owned by Royalty, Niihau was purchased from King Kamehameha in 1864 and up to 1987, visits to the island were typically restricted to the owners and their guests, or government officials, which is how it gained its moniker; “The Forbidden Island”.

What happens if you go to Niihau uninvited

What happens if you go to Niihau uninvited Turns out that Ni'ihau is called the Forbidden Isle because it's private property owned entirely by the Robinson family. Showing up without an invitation is trespassing, and the Robinson family doesn't appreciate uninvited visitors.

Can people on Niihau leave

The Niihau Cultural Heritage Foundation says that number can drop to below 30 during the summer months as people travel for pleasure or work. "People leave the island all the time," Peter T. Young, Hawaii's former Department of Land and Natural Resources director and Hawaii historian, told HuffPost.

Who currently owns the island of Niihau

When the Sinclairs purchased the island in 1864, they committed to maintaining Niihau's Hawaiian culture. Brothers Bruce and Keith Robinson, descendants of the Sinclairs, own the island today, and they have continued to protect the island from the pressures of the outside world.

How do you get invited to Niihau

No one is allowed to land on Niihau unless you are a resident of the island, a member of the Robinson family, or an invited guest. The Robinson family permits helicopter tours, but contact between the visitors and natives is not allowed. Fishermen and sailors may visit the island by sea, but are not able to land.

What families live on Niihau

King Kamehameha IV sold it for $10,000 in 1863 to Elizabeth Sinclair of Scotland. Her descendants, the Kamaaina (meaning “Old-Timer”) Robinson family, continue to live on the island and have attempted to preserve Hawaiian culture there.

Are there police on Niihau

No police. No fire department. And no indoor plumbing.

What do people on Niihau do

Residents typically rely on fishing and farming for most of their food. The only inhabited village is Puuwai, where residents live a simple life, getting around by walking, or riding horses and bicycles.

Are tourists allowed on Niihau

No one is allowed to visit Hawaii's Forbidden Isle—the 70-square-mile island, which on a clear day can be spied from Kauai's west coast—unless they are invited by Niihau owners the Robinson family, or by one of its 70 full-time Native Hawaiian residents.

Are there schools on Niihau

Ni'ihau High & Elementary School or Niihau Island School is a public K-12 school in Niihau, Hawaii, United States. It is operated by the Hawaii Department of Education.

Does Niihau pay taxes

On Wednesday the Kauai County Council approved legislation to impose an annual flat tax rate of $40,000 for Niihau based on a series of factors, including the island's contributions to agriculture and Hawaiian culture and its sparse use of county services.

Does Niihau have police

No police. No fire department. And no indoor plumbing.

How do people live on Niihau

Niihau is the only place left in the world where the predominant language is Hawaiian. About 250 natives live on the 73-square-mile island, most working on the Robinsons' cattle and sheep ranch. Guns, alcohol and cigarettes are forbidden. There is no doctor, no jail, no paved roads.

What language does Niihau speak

the Hawaiian language

'mother tongue') is a dialect of the Hawaiian language spoken on the island of Niʻihau, more specifically in its only settlement Puʻuwai, and on the island of Kauaʻi, specifically near Kekaha, where descendants of families from Niʻihau now live. Today, the Niʻihau dialect is taught in Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha.

How do people on Niihau live

The only inhabited village is Puuwai, where residents live a simple life, getting around by walking, or riding horses and bicycles. The Niihau School serves children through the eighth grade, and has become the first school in Hawaii to become entirely run on solar panels.

Is there crime on Niihau

There is no crime and apparently little social conflict on Niihau. Decisions are made by chiefs and by consensus. On a larger scale, residents abide by the laws of the state of Hawaii and of the United States, pay taxes and receive welfare when needed.

Does the US own Niʻihau

United States

Elizabeth Sinclair purchased Niʻihau in 1864 for US$10,000 (equivalent to about $190,000 in 2022) from the Kingdom of Hawaii. The island's private ownership passed on to her descendants, the Robinsons.

Is there a volcano on Niʻihau

Ni'ihau, an extinct volcano with shield—(4.9 million years old), postshield—(4.9 million years old), and rejuvented—(2.5 million to 400,000 years old) stage lavas, has no exposed summit caldera complex; it was apparently removed during a large landslide towards the east.

Who owns 98% of a Hawaiian island

Billionaire Larry Ellison

Billionaire Larry Ellison owns an island in Hawaii. 98 per cent of the island of Lanai is his property.

Who owns the 2% of Lanai

Lanai

Nickname: The Pineapple Isle
United States
State	Hawaiʻi
County	Maui County
Owner(s)	Larry Ellison 98% State of Hawaii 2%

Why are billionaires buying land in Hawaii

Hawaii, with its breathtaking landscapes and serene beauty, has always attracted those seeking a piece of paradise. For years, billionaires such as Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg, and Larry Ellison have been making headlines for their significant land acquisitions across the islands.

Who owns 90% of Lanai

Billionaire Larry Ellison owns an island in Hawaii. 98 per cent of the island of Lanai is his property.

What billionaires live on Maui

Oprah Winfrey and Jeff Bezos are among those who have part-time homes on the island. The wildfires that have killed at least 55 in Maui are burning on an island that also contains the part-time homes of billionaires, including Oprah Winfrey, Peter Thiel and Jeff Bezos.

Who is the richest resident of Hawaii

Pierre Omidyar

1) Pierre Omidyar

Pierre Omidyar, the founder and chairman of eBay, lives in Honolulu and has a net worth of approximately $11.4 billion.

Who owns most land in Hawaii

Who owns HawaiiThe Hawaii State Government. 1,574,530.8 total acres.The U.S. Federal Government. 531,444 total acres.Kamehameha Schools. 362,244.5 total acres.Parker Ranch. 105,995.6 total acres.Robinson Family. 101,287.7 acres.Pūlama Lanai. 89,075.1 acres.Alexander & Baldwin. 86,514.1 acres.Molokai Ranch.