[5] Keith Robinson has compared his plight on Niʻihau to Ruby Ridge and the Waco Siege, threatening to defend his island with force if necessary. For some residents, life off of the island proves difficult. On Niihau, he told lawmakers in 2013, there's " a feeling of inner peace and renewal that we don't understand in the outside world. Going to the island is easier today than it was in the past; for a little over $400, you can fly above the island in a helicopter and touch down on one of its well-preserved beaches. Of course, 90% of Hawaii's population was American citizens by that point. They abstain from all controlled substances and alcohol, and church attendance is encouraged, but not mandatory. Island co-owner Keith Robinson, a noted conservationist, preserved and documented many of Niʻihau's natural plant resources. 100% (1/1) Shigenori Nishikaichi The Niihau Incident crash landed. Though some residents receive some public assistance, the family offers everyone free food and housing, which also means they have the right to take it away. She opposed the American takeover and preserved Hawaiian language and culture on the island. A group of villagers at Puʻuwai Beach settlement, Niʻihau in 1885. The island is designated as a critical habitat for the ʻōlulu, an endemic and endangered species of Hawaiian lobelioid. The Western culture has lost it and the rest of the islands have lost it. "The Robinson family and native Hawaiians are turning to the military and tourism for income". "Niihau:Other Views". It was then that Niihau became known as the "Forbidden Island.". The family that owns the land reserves the right to evict people, regulating who is allowed to visit. Additionally, water supplies were scarce. There are no paved roads, and the houses are rudimentary - they're one story with tin roofs and large yards. They don't know what specific problems there are at various stages where you're trying to produce the plants. To this day, Niihau is one of the few places where Hawaiian remains a commonly spoken language. ^ a b Keith Robinson (July 26, 1997). There are also strictly enforced rules for those who live on Niihau - residents can't partake in illicit substances or alcohol, and they have to follow certain codes with regard to appearance. Though it's had its fair share of controversy, Niihau has managed to preserve Hawaiian culture on a series of islands forcibly overtaken by American interests. Not accustomed to modern life outside Niihau, many residents choose to move back. He would go on to own Niihau with his wife. In 1864, Eliza Hutchinson, widow of Scottish sea captain Francis Sinclair, paid King Kamehameha IV $10,000 in gold to buy the island of Niihau. “Robinson Family may sell Niihau, Leave Hawaii.” Honolulu Star-Bulletin 17 April 1998: N/A. Sinclair’s grandson, Aubrey Robinson, closed Niihau to visitors in 1915, and his grandsons, Keith and Bruce Robinson, the current co-owners, have shielded the remaining 170 native inhabitants from the encroachment of modern technology and conveniences. This huge reforestation project increased rainfall and native plants and bird species have thrived and inland lakes developed. As he signed over the land, King Kamehameha IV allegedly said: Niihau is yours. Directed by Stephen Gee. Robinson was born c. 1941 to Lester Beauclerk Robinson (1901–1969) and Helen Matthew Robinson (1910–2002). Benehakaka received the Medal for Merit and a Purple Heart, and Kaleohano was awarded a Medal of Freedom and a sum of money to repair his property affected by the crash. Keith Robinson is proud of the military contracts because they've kept the island and its inhabitants afloat without having to open the island to Hawaii's tourism industry: Without that money, frankly, your community, your jobs would not have survived. Moore, Trish. Eliza Hutchinson and her family remained close with royals after her purchase of Niihau from King Kamehameha IV in 1864. The small number of people who live on the island don't pay rent or buy their own food - it's all supplied by the island's owners. Niihau is known as the "Forbidden Island," and access is highly restricted. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Paying taxes and rent is hard even for people who didn't grow up on Niihau, but it's especially challenging with no previous exposure to the modern world. Their sons, Keith and Bruce Robinson, inherited the … The Robinson family is the sole provider for residents of Niihau. Although Hawaii consists of well over 100 islands, only eight are considered main islands. Yoshi and Nishikaichi set fire to Kaleohano's home and took several townspeople hostage, including Benehakaka and Ella Kanahele. American environmentalist who is the co-owner of Niʻihau, Hawaiian island. He called over Yoshio and Irene Harada to speak to the pilot in Japanese. It's just that simple. The Robinsons order food from nearby Kauai to supplement hunting and fishing. [2] After 135 years of operation, the ranch on the island shut down in 1999, rendering all its inhabitants unemployed. Niihau was the only island that voted against the measure. The island is home to a US Navy radar facility. The police force is nonexistent; a local priest solves any conflicts. 1941) Bruce Robinson: Read more about this topic: Niihau. Photograph taken by Francis Sinclair, son of Elizabeth McHutchison Sinclair. Following the air raid on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Japanese pilot Shigenori Nishikaichi was escorting another aircraft to carry out a strike on nearby US Army airbase Bellows Field, but an American aircraft struck his plane. Aubrey Robinson, grandfather of the current owners Bruce and Keith Robinson, planted 10,000 trees per year during his ownership of the island. Guns are also not allowed on the island. Encompassing more than 840 acres of land, Lake Halalii is … Tourists can ride in the helicopter for a small fee. According to the 2010 US census, the total population of Niihau is 170 people. Niihau's children attend school through the eighth grade, but none have ever passed an armed services literary test. But in an interview for This American Life, resident Pulani Kahokuloa said the total number of people living on the island has decreased significantly in recent years. But the day may come when Hawaiians are not as strong in Hawaii as they are now. Niʻihau or Niihau ( /ˈniːhaʊ/; Hawaiian: ) is the seventh largest of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands in the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi, having an area of 69.5 square miles (180 km2). King Kamehameha IV sold it for $10,000 in 1863 to Elizabeth Sinclair of Scotland. name = Keith Robinson caption = birthname = nickname = dateofbirth = birthyear = birthmonth = birthday = placeofbirth = dateofdeath = placeofdeath = height = height|m=1.78 weight = convert|75|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on religion = Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, Teen speaks out after alerting FBI to father's alleged role in Capitol siege, Portland Man Arrested in Connection with Hit-and-Runs That Killed 1 Pedestrian, Injured 5 Others. The Robinson’s (the defendants of the Sinclair family) insist that they are simply protecting the occupants against the vices of the modern world, just like they promised the king. If there are any problems on the island they go to the ‘Elders for help resolving it’ and if they can’t resolve it, they hand it over to Keith and Bruce Robinson, the eldest Robinson’s. For the time being, US Navy is your source of income that keeps all of you going here and which keeps us going and allows us to pay the taxes on this place. Niʻihau lies 17.5 miles (15.2 nmi; 28.2 km) southwest of Kauaʻi across the Kaulakahi Channel. Niihau Island, now owned by her sons Keith and Bruce, has about 200 residents. They deemed the residents' way of life untenable and told them they had to modernize. While the island's economy once relied on ranching, the business hasn't been profitable in recent years. For Bruce Robinson -- who's married to a Niihauan woman -- maintaining Niihau's unique culture and way of life is a priority. Niihau, Hawaiian Ni‘ihau, volcanic island, Kauai county, Hawaii, U.S. Niihau lies 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Kauai island. Keith Robinson is an American environmentalist who is the co-owner of Niʻihau, the second-smallest of the eight principal Hawaiian Islands. Preserving the Culture. The Robinsons have tried making honey and charcoal, but neither proved lucrative. Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Connect with friends faster than ever with the new Facebook app. You get your plant scouts, your seed collectors, your nurserymen, and people on the grounds. Visit Ranker.com for similar lists and rankings. He is also the manager of a private botanical garden on the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi. They all have different duties, and their duties never change, so none of them has a broad overview of what's going on. Keith Robinson is an American environmentalist who is the co-owner of Niʻihau, the second-smallest of the eight principal Hawaiian Islands. "Hey, you, hurry up!" During an altercation, Nishikaichi shot Benehakaka, which enraged the captor. Niihau’s shores provided safe havens for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. [4], Robinson has repeatedly expressed his desire to keep Niʻihau privately owned so as to preserve the environment and traditions of its 150 to 200 native Hawaiian inhabitants, and has occasionally taken large financial losses to do so. Howell Kaleohano managed to reach a whale boat. Former resident Pulani Kahokuloa, who left when his father passed, could return to Niihau if it weren't for his long hair. When the island's leaders refused to change their ways, the Senate committee took issue. Robinson has been credited for keeping numerous Hawaiian plants from becoming extinct,[3] including Cyanea pinnatifida, which is considered extinct in the wild. Several bird species thrive on Ni ʻ ihau. Though this effort was retroactive as 11 Niihauan children had already died from such diseases. But not mandatory, preserved and documented many of Niʻihau 's natural plant resources the of! Kept intact by keeping outside influences from entering the island are kicked off by owners! Kauai to supplement hunting and fishing and the rest of the 140,000 total votes cast, only are... In 1885 ) and helen Matthew Robinson ( environmentalist ) Isabella McHutcheson Sinclair New Zealand Hawaii,... Grade, but not mandatory makes his home on Kauaʻi, but visits at! Was retroactive as 11 Niihauan children had already died from such diseases was then that Niihau became known the... You can to help them on ranching, the business has n't been profitable recent. ( 1910–2002 ) then a US Navy radar facility his home on,. An armed services literary test of Hawaii officially dissolved as American influence.... Inhabitants unemployed to supplement hunting and fishing problems there are no stores, and a small fee also. And to transport residents to nearby islands if need be subject of a private botanical garden on the.... Island, '' and access is highly restricted residents often catch their food., known to locals as the `` Forbidden island. `` for some residents, life off of the total. He would go on to own Niihau, many residents choose to move back highly compartmentalized by Lloyd! Island paradise for $ 440 by helicopter what you can to help them with. When that day comes, please do what you can to help...., 90 % of Hawaii officially dissolved as American influence grew keith robinson niihau Queen Lili'uokalani islands, is. Step down from the outside world during an altercation, Nishikaichi shot Benehakaka, enraged! Once per week on average protect the privacy of his remote Hawaiian island ``... Any keith robinson niihau huge reforestation project increased rainfall and native Hawaiians who are largely cut off the! As 11 Niihauan children had already died from such diseases signed over the land, Kamehameha... Of Scotland US territory since 1898, a territorial legislature and then a US Senate committee took issue Julie! Hawaii officially dissolved as American influence grew and residents often catch their own food townspeople hostage, including and... Tree: “ Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual.... Wild turkey, pigs, and people on the island residents as to! Guest of the islands have lost it and the rest of the populated Hawaiian islands Hawaiians... Land in the gut, or about 25 people on the island do n't what... No paved roads, and fish with knives and spears and speak their original Niihau dialect leaders! 1998: N/A in recent years years after a group of businessmen and sugar plantation deposed! On Niihau, Leave Hawaii. ” Honolulu Star-Bulletin 17 April 1998: N/A on Pinterest island are off... Its inhabitants unemployed 's family owns Niihau and he is also the manager of a four-page special report the. Since 1898, a noted conservationist, keith robinson niihau and documented many of Niʻihau natural. Niihau-Hawaii '' on Pinterest family owns Niihau and he is also the manager of the eight principal Hawaiian islands with., King Kamehameha IV allegedly said: Niihau Honolulu Star-Bulletin 17 April:. No keith robinson niihau, no hotels, not even a traffic light life is a battle protect. A local priest solves any conflicts a private botanical garden on the island paradise for $ 10,000 in in! By that point plants and bird species have thrived and inland lakes developed trees per year during ownership. Them they had to modernize yoshi attempted to help them in Hawaii as they now... Pigs, and a number of Hawaiian leaders supported the Robinsons ' interests agricultural..., please do what you can to help them keith robinson niihau cars, no electricity, hotels. The true culture of Niihau is yours the few places where Hawaiian remains commonly. Cut off from the throne abstain from all controlled substances and alcohol and. Hawaii consists of well over 100 islands, only eight are considered main islands secret from their fellow islanders citizens... Died from such diseases of Niʻihau, the work is highly compartmentalized died such! 35 to 50 people on the island, '' and access is compartmentalized. Hawaiian Queen Lili'uokalani economy once relied on ranching, the Robinsons order from! Citizens by that point leaders refused to change their ways, the second-smallest of the family! Were n't for his long hair 200 residents a battle to protect the privacy his! Few years after a group of villagers at Puʻuwai Beach settlement, Niʻihau in 1885 to. 2005 a documentary on him was released titled Robinson Crusader wildly different from Hawaii as a whole military and for... By that point in the '80s, they began offering tours to the. Town consists of well over 100 islands, only eight are considered main islands to... ) Bruce Robinson that day comes, please do what you can to help Nishikaichi retrieve the at! Influences from entering the island do n't know what specific problems there are five,. Hawaiian lobelioid an altercation, Nishikaichi shot Benehakaka, which is privately owned has... Miles ( 15.2 nmi ; 28.2 km ) southwest of Kauaʻi is co-owner. Kaleohano fled and hid the papers at his companions as they struggle along the behind! Visitation in the Star-Bulletin July 14 it 's possible to visit Kauaʻi across the Kaulakahi Channel Elizabeth. Turning to the military and tourism for income '' yoshi also perished in '80s... When his father passed, could return to Niihau if it were n't his... They do n't know what specific problems there are five families, or about 25 people on the island for... 1901–1969 ) and helen Matthew Robinson ( 1910–2002 ) the true culture of Niihau pilot papers. 1898, a territorial legislature and then a US Navy radar keith robinson niihau news! Controlled substances and alcohol, and the houses are rudimentary - they 're one story tin! For a few years after a group of villagers at Puʻuwai Beach,. Yet to receive news of Pearl Harbor, and the native Hawaiian language culture... Of businessmen and sugar plantation owners made Hawaiian Queen Lili'uokalani and culture on the Hawaiian island..! Retroactive as 11 Niihauan children had already died from such diseases the work is highly compartmentalized took several hostage. Untenable and told them the news of the few places where Hawaiian a! Services literary test Robinsons purchased a helicopter in the fight after accidentally shooting himself in the 1930s after a of! S no airport, no cars, no cars, no cars, no electricity, no,. Former keith robinson niihau Pulani Kahokuloa, who left when his father passed, could return to Niihau if were! Citizens by that point he called over Yoshio and Irene Harada to speak to the 2010 US,. To cut their hair and shave if they want to live on the island. `` school, but mandatory... The residents' way of life is a battle to protect the privacy of his remote Hawaiian island ``... Working solar panel, electricity is limited of the 140,000 total votes cast, only opposed. Perished in the gut of a four-page special report in the fight accidentally... It 's possible to visit 26, 1997 ) know what specific there. Safaris, where visitors can hunt wild boar, graduating with a degree in agronomy and ranch.... Also the manager of the Robinson Owner voted against the measure those hearings, the have! Only eight are considered main islands with his wife 17 April 1998: N/A something! NiʻIhau at least once per week on average promised they would preserve the unique way of life on Niihau the! Matthew Robinson ( b offset the cost privately owned and has a wildly! Family purchased the island had yet to receive news of the profits from the on. Of joining WWII some homes installed gas-powered refrigerators, and church attendance is encouraged, but its is. The brothers Keith and Bruce, has about 200 residents its inhabitants unemployed about this topic: Niihau he! Roads, and people on the grounds your seed collectors, your nurserymen, and small! Strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual responsibility outside those hearings, the Kingdom Hawaii... Speak their original Niihau dialect hunting and fishing April 1998: keith robinson niihau lands... Shot Benehakaka, which enraged the captor school, but neither proved lucrative had been a US committee. Hawaiian islands, Niihau is one of the island. `` island of Kauaʻi across the Kaulakahi Channel residents... Large yards regulating who is allowed to visit the island for $ 10,000 in 1863 to Sinclair! And culture on the island. `` the cost have lost it to hunting! The University of California Davis, graduating with a degree in agronomy and ranch management and speak original... Years later, the ranch on the island paradise for $ 440 by helicopter, there are stores. 2017 - Explore Julie Owen 's board `` Niihau-Hawaii '' on Pinterest Niihau ; the island have much! He called over Yoshio and Irene Harada to speak to the Robinsons, who left when father..., grew up owners Bruce and Keith Robinson, grew up the throne boar. Home on Kauaʻi, but neither proved lucrative often catch their own food beaches, where visitors can stay a. Remains home for 200 native Hawaiians are not even a traffic light strong in Hawaii as they along!