What island in Hawaii can no one visit?

Niihau, also known as the Forbidden Isle, is a beautiful small island in Hawaii spread across 180 sq km. The island is off-limits to outsiders and only the Robinson family, their relatives, invited guests, government officials and US Navy personnel are allowed here.



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Access to the Reserve (the island and the 2 miles of ocean surrounding Kaho'olawe) is restricted because of the continued danger of unexploded ordnance. Access to the Reserve is permitted only with authorization of KIRC for specific purposes, such as restoration, education, and culture.

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The state had asked that all non-essential West Maui travel be postponed until October 8, 2023 (see below for official state notice). Other areas of Maui (including Kahului, Wailuku, Kihei, Wailea, Makena, and Hana), and the other Hawaiian Islands, like Kaua?i, O?ahu, Lana?i, and Hawai?i Island, remain open.

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If you want to avoid the crowds, then head over to the least touristy beaches such as Waimanalo Beach and Kaimana Beach on Oahu or Ke'ei Beach and Shipman Beach on the Big Island to take a swim or catch some rays in silence.

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Archaeological evidence reveals that the island was inhabited for more than 1,000 years, but it is now uninhabited. Kahoolawe was originally named for the Hawaiian god Kanaloa. From 1826 to 1853 the island was used as a penal colony by Hawaiian monarchs.

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No one is allowed to land on Niihau unless you are a resident of the island, a member of the Robinson family, or an invited guest. The Robinson family permits helicopter tours, but contact between the visitors and natives is not allowed. Fishermen and sailors may visit the island by sea, but are not able to land.

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The sidewalks will usually be full of people all the way down there until you get very close to your hotel. It is safe unless you are our after midnight, then it is like walking around in any major city. Almost anywhere in Waikiki, you will be just fine.

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With the exception of Lahaina, West Maui accommodations have begun to reopen to visitors again. Your visit will support Hawai?i's businesses and workers that rely on tourism for their families' livelihood, especially when you are mindful in the following ways: Visit with aloha and compassion. Support local businesses.

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Some Lahaina residents will be allowed into their neighborhood on Monday to see what is left of their homes, for the first time since wildfires swept across parts of Maui on Aug. 8 and killed at least 97 people, making it one of the nation's deadliest disasters.

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The Robinson family decided to restrict access of Niihau back in 1864, giving it its nickname of the “Forbidden Island.” They put a policy in place to ensure that all those born on Niihau would be able to live there for their entire life with limited exposure to the outside world.

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U.S. Navy conveys deed of ownership of Kaho'olawe to the State of Hawai'i. The Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission is established to manage activities on the island.

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Moloka?i welcomes visitors with an open heart, and, as you'll see below, it does have many “tourist-friendly” areas to visit, plenty to keep you busy for several days, in fact, including one of the state's longest beaches and most-intriguing historical sites.

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Avoid swimming before sunrise or after sunset when it is dark outside and visibility is poor. Wind activity often picks up in the late morning or afternoon, which can make paddling back to shore more difficult.

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Kauai is the winner It has a variety of views and terrain to see. Rocky coastlines, beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and mountains and valleys. There is so much to see and do. Kauai tends to not be as popular as islands like Maui and Oahu so you can fully enjoy what the island offers.

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Molokai: The Friendly Isle This island has a reputation for being the “most Hawaiian” of the Hawaiian Islands, thanks to its aloha spirit, the residents' embracement of the old Hawaii lifestyle, and small tourist numbers.

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No one is allowed to visit Hawaii's Forbidden Isle—the 70-square-mile island, which on a clear day can be spied from Kauai's west coast—unless they are invited by Niihau owners the Robinson family, or by one of its 70 full-time Native Hawaiian residents.

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Currently there is approximately 100-250 residents on Niihau, all thought to be full-blooded Hawaiians, and it is the last place in Hawaii where Hawaiian is still spoken fluently as the predominant language. The Robinson family provides residents with basic domestic and health needs.

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How You Can Visit Niihau. Although there isn't an island in the state that encompasses Hawaiian culture more than Niihau, it is not a place to vacation. There are no cars, no stores, no paved roads, no indoor plumbing, and no internet.

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