Niihau

Niihau is the westernmost inhabited island in the Hawaiian archipelago, located off the coast of Kauai in Kauai County, Hawaii. It covers about 70 square miles (roughly 180 square kilometers) and measures approximately 18 miles long by 8 miles wide. The island is privately owned by a single family, the Robinsons, and has been held by private owners since the 19th century. Access is highly restricted; public tourism is not allowed, and most visitors reach the island only by invitation or through restricted charter arrangements from Kauai. The island’s isolation contributes to limited infrastructure compared with the other main Hawaiian Islands.

The resident population is small, consisting mainly of Native Hawaiian families, and the community maintains traditional practices. The Niihau language, a Hawaiian dialect, is still spoken alongside English, and cultural preservation is a notable aspect of daily life. The economy is modest and historically tied to subsistence activities, with Niihau shell leis and other crafts produced from locally gathered shells. These crafts are among the island’s most recognizable cultural products and have a reputation for high quality.

Geographically, Niihau features a semi-arid climate with desert-like scrub, coastal beaches, and rugged terrain. Infrastructure on the island is limited, with no large-scale tourist facilities, and residents rely on prepared supplies and occasional deliveries from Kauai.

Historical events of note include the 1941 Niihau incident during World War II, when a Japanese pilot crash-landed on the island and was aided by some residents before U.S. military intervention. The event is a point of reference in discussions of the island’s wartime history and its private governance.