ABOUT NIIHAU
Hidden in Time
Ancient bloodlines & ancestral prey
Niihau, also known as the forbidden island, is home to a closely-knit community of descendants from the Polynesian Voyagers who first stepped foot on Niihau well over a thousand years ago. The people of Niihau speak a unique Niihau dialect of the Hawaiian language passed on from generation to generation for a millennium. The ancient bloodlines and many of the same practices remain today as they fish and hunt to sustain their families and honor their culture.
Many of the island’s favorite meals include Eland antelope. Native to the dry African deserts, Eland antelope have thrived on the arid island of Niihau for over a quarter of a century. Eland meat has less fat and fewer calories per ounce than beef providing a health and lean protein for the families of Niihau.
Eland live in harmony among wild horses, sheep, and other ungulates. All animals on Niihau are wild and have free range of the island. The Pacific Ocean acts as a natural barrier, keeping them within the roughly seventy square mile island. Lakes Hālaliʻi, Halulu, and Nonopapa provide fresh water for the island's inhabitants.
A Promise Made to a King
Malama Niihau
King Kamehameha’s transfer of Niihau to private ownership in 1864 was accompanied by a promise to protect and steward the island into the future. The exclusive ownership of Niihau has allowed the island to remain hidden in time without interference or influence from the outside world. The responsible harvest of wild Eland and lamb is essential in protecting Niihau’s fragile ecosystem. The antelope are free from birth through harvest. When you enjoy our products, you are helping us protect one of the most unique and isolated ecosystems on the planet as we uphold our promise made to a king.
