Island of red rocks, Helgoland. Heligoland Island: Unexplored Germany that you didn't know about. Harbor and resort houses

The Hawaiian archipelago consists of several islands. One of the most mysterious and interesting is the island of Niihau. This island is the seventh largest among all the islands of this archipelago, its area is almost one hundred and eighty square kilometers. At the same time, the island is one of the most sparsely populated. On Niihau, according to official figures, only about two hundred and fifty people live. This number of inhabitants is due to the fact that only native Hawaiians can live on the island.

The history of Niihau Island is interesting, so in 1863 Queen Kamehameha IV decided to sell the island and it was purchased by Elizabeth Sinclair, who lived on a neighboring island, for only ten thousand dollars. Subsequently, the heirs, the Robinson family, began to own the island. It is the owners of the island who are trying to preserve the traditions and cultures of the Hawaiian people. At the same time, it is here that the Hawaiian language is not only the first language, but also today the only one.

The main mystery of Niihau Island is that the island is closed, that is, only native Hawaiians or people invited by the inhabitants of the island or members of the Robinson family can visit it. Niihau Island in Hawaii is called the "Forbidden Island", which is how it became known throughout the world. If you do not have an invitation from its inhabitants, you can see this island only from a distance, that is, during a helicopter ride or while snorkeling. You can also take a boat ride near the island, but you cannot approach it up to a certain distance. If you are a snorkeller, you can enjoy the beauty of the underwater world around the island without the opportunity to go ashore.

The vegetation of Niihau Island is not as diverse as on the other islands of Hawaii, as the island is rather dry. On the beach of the island you can find shell Leia. This shell has a high value among shell flower collectors. One sink can be valued up to several thousand dollars. The inhabitants of the island mostly work on the ranch of the island's owner, Robinson. Livestock is raised here, fruits and vegetables are grown. The inhabitants of the island are also engaged in fishing and hunting. For hunting, they use ropes and nets that they weave with their own hands, spears and knives. At the same time, there are absolutely no shops, cars and hotels on the island. Residents of the island of Niihau travel exclusively on bicycles or on foot.

This is a selection of islands that are somehow unusual and famous. The list is in no particular order, as each island is unique in its own way. So this one really looks more like a grocery list than a “countdown from ten to one” list. The listed islands were also chosen because of their low profile, which explains why, for example, Easter Island is not on the list - everyone has already heard of it! So, the most unusual islands are waiting for you...

Niihau Island

The westernmost of the eight main Hawaiian islands, Niihau (pronounced "Nii-i-how") differs from the other seven in that it is privately owned. Purchased by Elizabeth Sinclair of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1864, this is one of the most unusual islands in the world. Visitors are rarely allowed to visit Niihau, which is why it is also called the “Forbidden Island”. Although, in recent years, the island has begun to receive a very limited flow of tourists participating in safari. Niihau's population hovers around 130 people who speak their native Hawaiian language.

Niihau Island - one of the inhabited islands of the Hawaiian archipelago, it is located 29 km northwest of the island of Kauai.

The history of this island is interesting. In 1864, the Hawaiian monarch Kamehameha IV put the island up for sale for $10,000. It was purchased by Scottish Elizabeth Sinclair, who lived next door on the island of Kauai. Currently, Niihau is privately owned by the Robinson family, the heirs of the aforementioned lady.

Niihau is also known as the "Forbidden Island" as entry to the island is by invitation only.

The island is a stronghold of Hawaiian culture, the benefits of civilization are not used here - there are no cars, no shops, no restaurants, no hotels, no paved roads.

About 200 native Hawaiians live on the island, and the Hawaiian language is the main language of communication.

Most of the islanders work on the Robinson family ranch. The main activities of the inhabitants of the island are fishing, hunting, growing vegetables and fruits.

The island is currently open to visitors. Safari tours and exclusive helicopter tours are organized here.

Helicopter tour is designed for half a day. During the helicopter flight to the island, the pilot will tell you about the history of the island, and then land on one of the secluded beaches, where you can sunbathe in the company of a monk seal and swim in the warm waters of the ocean among tropical reef fish.

The safari tour is designed for hunting lovers. Hunters have a unique opportunity to hunt the Polynesian boar and hybrid sheep, and take the trophy with them.

On the island, everyone can buy unique necklaces made from rare shells that can only be found on the beaches of Niihau.

Helicopter tour

duration - half a day

price - 385 $ per person

the minimum number of people is 5.

The tour includes food and drinks.

Safari Tour

duration - 1 day

one hunter - 1750 $ (maximum number - 4)

one observer - 500 $ (maximum number - 3)

rifle rental - $120.

The tour includes: lunch, snacks, soft drinks and juices, a guide, transportation around the island, packing skins and transporting trophies.

Niihau is the westernmost and seventh largest of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands. From the point of view of the territorial division of the United States, Niihau belongs to the state. The island is located 17.5 miles from, and its area is 180 square kilometers. Niihau is home to several lakes that provide excellent habitat for many birds, including the Hawaiian coot, stilt, and Hawaiian duck. The island is home to several endemic endangered species. The US Census Bureau has designated Niihau and some neighboring islands as a seabird sanctuary.

In 2000, the population of the island was 160 people. In 2010, this figure increased to 170 people.
Scottish landowner Elizabeth Sinclair bought the island of Niihau in 1864 from the Hawaiian Kingdom and has been inherited ever since. The island is now owned by the Robinson family. During the Second World War, a funny incident occurred on the island: a Japanese plane crashed on the island, but its pilot survived and alone terrorized the entire population of the island for about a week.

The inhabitants of Niihau Island are known as the native speakers of the Hawaiian language. The island itself is quite closed and not many people can get on it: mostly local residents and their relatives, as well as US Navy personnel based on the Hawaiian Islands and some government officials. Due to Niihau's closed nature, it has earned the nickname "Forbidden Island". However, since 1987, Niihau has become accessible to tourists: a limited number of safari tours go on sale every year.

Geographical position

Niihau is located 29 kilometers west of. Also about one kilometer north of Niihau is the small, uninhabited island of Lehua. The maximum height of the island is 390 meters.

Scientists have found that the age of the island is 4.9 million years, while the neighboring island is older: it is already 5 million. Niihau itself is essentially the top of an extinct volcano.

Climate

The climate of Niihau is dry. Due to the nature of the flow of air masses, it rarely rains. The fact is that Niihau is in the rain shadow. This means that the island depends on cyclones that come here from other regions. However, there are also long periods of drought. So one of the officers of the famous navigator James Cook, George Vancouver, in his notes reported that sometime in 1792, the black population left the island due to severe drought and famine that arose because of it.

Flora and Fauna of the Island

Like other arid islands, for many centuries there were no trees on the island in principle, as reported by James Cook in 1778. However, the grandfather of the current owners of the island, Aubrey Robinson, planted 10,000 trees in one year on most of the island. Aubrey's efforts slightly changed the island's climate and made it less dry, and some of the trees took root. As a result, birds began to inhabit the island, some of which are now endemic.

Because of the swampy terrain, Niihau is home to the Hawaiian coot, stilt, Hawaiian duck, and the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. The island's owners, the Robinson family, believe that its seclusion and coastline features contribute to the better survival of the monk seal in the Hawaiian reserves of the United States. By the way, the monk seal itself was on the verge of extinction due to its capture by people.

The island is also inhabited by the Canna antelope, oryxes, maned boars and wild sheep. Hunting for these animals is offered by the owners of the island in the safari format.

Story

Indigenous peoples lived on the Hawaiian Islands even before meeting Europeans. Colonization practically did not touch Hawaii and the local peoples continued to live as before. In 1795, the Hawaiian Islands were united into a single kingdom, which, however, did not include the islands of Niihau and. In 1810, after a series of military clashes, the last two independent islands became part of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

In 1864, landowner Elizabeth McHouston Sinclair bought Niihau Island for $10,000. After this purchase, the art of weaving mattresses was lost. It was on Niihau that, as it was believed, "the best mattresses in Polynesia" were woven.

In 1915, the grandson of Elizabeth Houston closed the island to most visitors. Even relatives of people living on the island could come to Niihau only with special permission. The current owners of the island are Bruce and Keith Robinson.

The story of a Japanese pilot who crashed and was eventually killed by locals gave rise to the popular song in the United States You Can't Conquer Niihau, Nohow (You Can't Conquer Niihau).

Niihau Island has maintained political relations with the United States since 1924. A US Navy base was built here and training was conducted

Population

There are about 130 permanent residents on the island. Almost all of them are native Hawaiians. Their main occupation is fishing and agriculture.

There is no rent on the island and meat is part of the social security of the inhabitants, that is, it is also free.

The island has no roads and no telephone service. Horses are the main mode of transport, and electricity is generated by solar water. There is no running water on the island

sewer system. Water is either brought to the island or it comes as rainwater.

Also, there are no hotels and shops on the island, and all food is delivered by barge.

For most of the inhabitants of the island, the Hawaiian language is native. Some also speak English as a second language.

Radio and TV signal reception on the island is limited, catches little and catches badly. Part of the population works on the island. Schools and hospitals are also located there.

Economy

The island's main source of income comes from the US government's lease of land on which the missile defense installation is located. Also, locals make souvenirs and jewelry that are sold on other islands (By the way, these products are very expensive and popular).
Also, the source of income for the local population is cattle breeding and fishing (mainly mullet is caught here).

Niihau Tourism

Since 1987, a limited number of safari passes have been sold to the island. Tourists are delivered by A109 helicopter for half a day

In 2004, only one resident of the island did not vote in favor of George W. Bush.

In 1944, the island was considered as a candidate for the UN headquarters.