NIIHAU

In 1863, King Kamehameha IV put a special piece of real estate up for sale. Elizabeth Sinclair, a resident of Kauai, did not hesitate and purchased the island of Niihau for 10,000 dollars. Her descendants, the Robinson family, still own the island and live up to the commitment of preserving the Hawaiian culture and traditional way of life.

Niihau has hardly been touched by the outside world and the approximately 250 residents still live there as they did in the old days. There is no electricity, no shops, no hotels or restaurants and not even roads.

This little island measures 70 square miles and is located 18 miles west of Kauai. Life is simple and unspoiled here. Most of the residents work on the ranch of the Robinson family, where they raise cattle. Everyone has a garden to grow their own vegetables and supplement the beef and mutton that they get from the ranch. They also fish and hunt with spears, nets, ropes and knives. Some supplies are brought in from Kauai, but the island is as self-sufficient as it can be.

As Niihau is very dry and the vegetation is not even close to the lush green scenery on the other islands, there are no flowers here to make leis. But the beaches of Niihau are filled with rare shells and the locals use those to string beautiful and one-of-a-kind leis. Collectors sometimes pay thousands of dollars for a Niihau shell lei.

To protect and preserve this blissful little island, visitors are accepted reluctantly. There are helicopter tours to Niihau and visitors are allowed there for half a day, but only have very limited access to areas of the island. Snorkel tours are also offered, but you won’t be able to stay on the island.