Niihau, Hawaii

Aerial view of Niigau, Hawaii
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Niihau_sep_2007.jpg
Author: Christopher P. Becker


Niihau is one of the smaller main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. It covers an area of just 69.5 sq mi (180 sq km), and is located to the southwest of Kauai. The island is inhabited by just about a hundred people, and the population continues to decrease over the decades.

Niihau is privately owned. It was purchased by Elizabeth Sinclair from the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1864, and the island remains in the ownership of the Sinclair-Robinson family. Since then, the island is usually off limits to all except navy personnel, government officials, relatives, family members and invited guests. Since 1987, the island has begun to accept small numbers of tourists as it began to develop some tourism products such as hunting safaris and organized tours.

The tallest peak in Niihau is lthe 1,250 ft (381 m) Mount Paniau. Unlike many of the islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, it is relatively arid, as it lies in the rain shadow of Kauai. When Captain Cook visited it in 1778, he reported finding the island barren of trees. The afforestation of Niihau is credited to Aubrey Robinson (grandfather of the present owners), who planted over 10,000 trees on the island during his ownership of it. One of the present owner, noted conservationist Keith Robinson, has contributed to preserving and documenting Niihau's flora and fauna.

Visiting Niihau

Visit to Niihau is by private invitation or via organised tours that are strictly managed by the owners of the island.

Northeastern coastline of Niihau
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Niihau_cliffs_aerial.jpg
Author: Christopher P. Becker

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