Who owns niihau island hawaii

Parts of Kauai bathe in rain the summit of Mount Waialeale is said to get inches a year , but Niihau gets only a dozen or so inches a year. It had rained heavily the previous two years, and the land was electric green. It would be, the men thought, a good place for a ranch. Not enough. The new owners would raise cattle and sheep. True, there are three freshwater lakes on Niihau, but as we spied them from the air that day — and evidently on many days — they were nothing more than mudholes.

As if on cue, out of the brush sprang two of the African antelope. The eland bounded with the grace of a running back headed for a touchdown. The people live off the land here. Fish are a staple, but the wildlife here, including wild boar and eland, is fair game. Reeling from this Meryl Streep moment, I was unprepared for the village of Puuwai, where about 35 houses, a church and a school are clustered. According to a census , the island has permanent residents, but this number is really just an estimate.

The Robinson family does not have to report population numbers, and because a number of residents come and go from the island, the true population is a huge mystery. However, one source estimates that the real number of permanent Niihauans is closer to The Robinson family rules Niihau with a firm hand. Residents are not allowed to have alcohol ever or guns.

One former resident, who wished to remain anonymous, claims that men are not allowed to have long hair or earrings, and the entire village must attend church on Sundays. Anyone caught breaking the rules faces possible eviction — and some say they can never return to their home. The island of Niihau covered in clouds Marcin P. Others claim this theory is a bunch of hype, and describe the residents of Niihau as modern and well-traveled.

Peter T. So are the people of Niihau pleasantly sheltered or basically average? It seems like no one really knows for sure. Niihau seen from above Christopher P. A long time from now history will tell. They have not built resorts, golf courses, luxury communities. They ranched the land. They employed a lot of people over the years. I met Helen Robinson a couple times before she passed away. Very nice and humble lady. Now its just the two brothers Keith and Bruce, and a handful of family, cousins etc.

But the day may come when Hawaiians are not as strong in Hawaii as they are now. I certainly do not believe the government of Hawaii or federal USA could have done a better job. I respect what they have done and also what they have tried to preserve. I also respect what they have not done. How did the disease get on the island to kill all the children?

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