#13: Niihau Island

Niihau Island, often called the “Forbidden Island,” has been privately owned since Elizabeth Sinclair purchased it in 1864. Today, it remains sparsely populated with around 170 residents, mostly Native Hawaiians who maintain a traditional lifestyle. The island is off-limits to outsiders, preserving its cultural heritage and natural environment.

Access is granted only to those invited by the residents or the Robinson family, Sinclair’s descendants. This seclusion has allowed Niihau to remain a pristine and unique place, free from modern development and tourism, offering a rare glimpse into an unaltered Hawaiian way of life.