A Hawaiian King Once Sold His Island With A Big Catch

Laying on the warm, white-sanded beach of Kekaha in Kauai, you will notice many breathtaking things — the fierce blue of the Pacific, the tangy smells of the local barbeques, even the gentle sounds of the waves swelling. However, on clear nights as the sun falls into the sea, a small mountainous island becomes silhouetted along the horizon. Locals have come to accept this neighboring island as just a part of the landscape, but the truth of the island on the horizon is much bigger than it seems. A promise made generations ago has left it unlike any other island in Hawaii, or perhaps even the world.

An Island Unlike The Rest

The silhouette that's visible off the shores of Kauai belongs to another Hawaiian island that's different from the rest. Where much of the native Hawaiian culture has been lost over the years due to colonization, this place remains nearly perfectly preserved throughout all this time. And hardly anyone even knows it exists.

The Forbidden Island

Just 17 miles off the coast of Kauai lies — Niihau — the smallest of the Hawaiian islands. For over 150 years, Niihau banned all visitors from the outside world, earning the nickname "the forbidden island." Given its extreme exclusivity, Niihau attracts the attention of travelers and celebrities wishing to stay on its shores. But it's the backstory behind Niihau that's more fascinating than its restricted status.

Pivotal Purchase

In 1864 Scotswoman Elizabeth Sinclair – who owned a plantation in New Zealand – bought Niihau from King Kamehameha V of Hawaii for a sum of $10,000. Though it is still unclear exactly why Kamehameha V agreed to the offer, he did so with a caveat that shaped the entire fate of the small island.

King's Advice

When the family purchased the land, you see, King Kamehameha V gave them some advice. According to a 2002 article by The New York Times, the monarch said, “Niihau is yours. But the day may come when Hawaiians are not as strong in Hawaii as they are now. When that day comes, please do what you can to help them.”