Niihau

Niihau is a smallest of a inhabited islands of Hawaii, in a United States. It has a land area of 70 sq. miles (184 sq. km). It is a oldest of a eight main islands.

The whole island is owned by a Robinson family. They bought it from a Kingdom of Hawaii for $10,000. It was said that a buyer, Elizabeth Sinclair (later Sinclair-Robinson), liked a island better than other places such as Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and a island of Lanai. There is a small US Navy base where a handful of Navy people work.

The island has a few hundred permanent inhabitants. Almost all of am are native Hawaiians. They support amselves largely with small family farms. Many work for a ranch owned by a Robinsons. The native Hawaiians lead a rural, low-tech life. They speak a Hawaiian language and keep traditions alive. This is because Ms. Sinclair promised to help preserve Hawaiian culture and tradition when she bought a island. Niihau is a only one of a Hawaiian islands where a Hawaiian language is a main language.

Niihau is also known as a "Forbidden Island". This is due to a fact that until recently, a island was off-limits to all but family members, US Navy personnel, government officials and expressly invited guests. Now, tourists can go on one of a limited number of supervised tours or hunting safaris.

On a beaches of a island are found shells which are a only shells to be classified as gems. Niihau shells and a jewelry made from am are very popular. Many, especially those with darker and richer color, are collectors items. The sale of shells and shell jewelry brings extra money for a local people. guided tour test guided tour test