Niʻihau Map

Description: This map shows roads, trails, village, peaks, points of interest, lakes, and beaches on Niʻihau Island.

Other Maps of Niʻihau

Niʻihau is the westernmost main inhabited island in the Hawaiian archipelago, often referred to as the "Forbidden Island." It encompasses approximately 69.5 square miles (180 km²), making it the seventh largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Niʻihau sits about 17.5 miles (28 km) southwest of Kauai across the Kaulakahi Channel. The island is privately owned by the Robinson family, descendants of Elizabeth Sinclair who purchased it from King Kamehameha V in 1864 for $10,000 in gold.

Access to Niʻihau is highly restricted. Only invited guests, government officials with specific business, and relatives of the inhabitants are allowed to visit the island. This policy was established to protect the native Hawaiian culture and way of life that continues to thrive there. The island has no paved roads, no electricity grid, no internet service, and no indoor plumbing, allowing residents to maintain their traditional lifestyle.

The primary settlement on the island is Puʻuwai, located on the western side. As of recent estimates, approximately 70 permanent residents live on Niʻihau, most of whom are Native Hawaiians who speak Hawaiian as their first language. The Robinson family provides homes, food and medical care to residents, while employing many of them on their ranch operations. Hunting and fishing remain important subsistence activities, supplementing the limited agriculture possible on this arid island.

Niʻihau is known for its distinctive shell lei (necklaces), crafted from tiny shells found only on the beaches of this island. These Niʻihau shell leis are highly valued cultural treasures and can command thousands of dollars. The island is also home to several endangered species, including the Hawaiian monk seal, which frequently basks on Kawaihoa Point. The Niʻihau incident, when a Japanese pilot crash-landed on the island following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, represents one of the few notable historical events associated with the island in modern times.

Limited helicopter tours are now permitted to land on Nanina Beach on the north side of the island, allowing visitors to swim and search for shells, though they cannot interact with residents or visit inhabited areas. The island's terrain is primarily arid, with a large central plateau and the highest elevation at 1,280 feet (390 m). Despite receiving only about 20 inches (510 mm) of rainfall annually, a small lake called Lake Halaliʻi forms during wet periods, making it one of the largest natural bodies of fresh water in Hawaii when filled.

Beaches on Niʻihau

Main sights in Niʻihau