Sinclair’s Family New Home

The Sinclair’s family settled into their new life in Niihau island. They knew what they promised to the kind before purchasing the island and Eliza made sure that the promise stays with the family. Soon, Elizabeth was chosen as a chiefess by the native people of Niihau island. The Sinclair family worked very hard for the locals. They provided them with houses, that too, free of charge. The natives of the Niihau island weren’t aware of the outer world the way other countries were, so they welcomed the changes that were being brought by the Sinclair family.

One New Rule

It wasn’t like they were imposing strict rules on the natives but they asked the natives only thing that was to attend the church every Sunday, which wasn’t much of a task because due to the colonization the people were already introduced to Christianity. After Christianity was introduced to these people several missionaries stayed at this island for some time.

Decades After

After a few decades later in 1893, the Hawaiian Monarchy ended after the intervention from the American Government. While the American Government was trying to impose the statehood in the Hawaiian islands, the culture and traditions of these islands started to fade away. But the Niihau island didn’t open their gates for outer people and they remained hidden from the American Government.

Private Property

The Sinclairs were able to stop the American Government from entering the island as the island was private property and the family tried their best to make sure that things remain the way they were. the family created a pressure that built a wall between the Niihaunian and the United States. It was in the 1930s when Niihau made a very dramatic proclamation that changed the history of Niihau Island.

The Decision

The island decided that it would not allow any American influence on the people and made sure that the island would completely be off limits. The island was closed to all the visitors. This decision was really made to protect the natives of the island. Back then, diseases like polio and measles were spreading like fire all over the world and to save the natives from these diseases they made sure nobody from the outer world enters the island.

No Outsiders

After they cut off every connection with the outer world, Niihau was saved and was able to preserve its culture known as “kahiki.” Unlike other islands of Hawaii which surrendered themselves Nuhaii fought for its independence. They knew how important their roots are. And Eliza was able to keep her promise she made to Kamehameha V. Today, Niihau is the only place in the whole world where the Hawaiian language is the dominant one.