Mysterious Hawaiian Island?

A friend mentioned an island in Hawaii by the name of Niihou that has always been secret. It supposedly privately owned, has a native population and visitors are not allowed, ever.

I thought surely there would be something, somewhere on the net. Nada.

So can anyone shed a bit of light on the subject?

You’re thinking of Niihau, the westernmost of the main islands of Hawai’i. It’s hardly a “secret” island, inasmuch as it appears on maps.

Now you can visit it.

Figures…every time I get no results on Google, it’s usually the result of a spelling error. Don’t know whether to blame the friend for the poor spelling or the fact that I’d already had too many beers.

Thank you for the link.

You’ve got the spelling wrong. It’s Ni’ihau (thought Niihau brings up many more Google hits).

Short story is that it is privately owned by a family who bought it from King Kamehameha in 1864 and they have chosen to keep the island free from outside influence for all of that time. However, it isn’t quite the “Forbidden Island” anymore…

The family does offer a half day tour via helicopter of the island nowadays (presumably via Kauai) and extended hunting safaris (sheep and pig are overpopulated at the moment) as well.

The natives are supposed to speak Hawaiian exclusively so I don’t know how much interaction there is between them and visitors.

Another page about Ni’ihau:

http://www.global-town.com/about_hawaii/niihau.htm

Damn, and I thought I had a new fishing spot. :smiley:

You want to visit a Hawaiian island that you’ll have to yourself? Forget Ni’ihau, go visit Kahoolawe! :smiley:

So when and how does Kahoolawe reopen to human habitation? Or will it be an animals-only reserve?

Probably never. I’m pretty sure it will end up like Kalaupapa (Kalawao Co.) and be made in its entirety into a park.

They have been advertising for jobs there lately. Any Hawaiian studies students interested?