Our special reports on Niihau continue tonight, thanks to a rare invitation that allowed KHON2 onto the private island. Niihau has also had its share of uninvited guests. General Billy Mitchell predicted one of those visitors in the 1920's. The uninvited guest arrived in 1941.
Perhaps the most dramatic incursion of all came right after the attack on pearl harbor, when a Japanese pilot had to crash land his damaged plane there.
A dramatic conflict ensued that would result in a heroic awards for a Ni'ihau native. The plane's wreckage sat where it crashed until the Robinson family allowed it for display at the Pacific Aviation Museum.
In another unwelcome visit, in 1988 more than a dozen environmentalists came ashore at Kianahake Bay uninvited, saying they'd come to help clean up the trash an ocean gyre often washes onto Ni'ihau's eastern shores.
"It shouldn't be used as a means to invade the privacy of Ni'ihau. it's just wrong," says Bruce Robinson, Ni'ihau Co-owner.
Perhaps the closest call came in 1970 when Governor Burns announced his intentions to buy the island.
"He also felt that in the long run it would be a good thing for the state to own a very very valuable parcel of property," says Former Governor George Ariyoshi, Senator in 1970.
Lawmakers at the time were divided.
"Some people had very strong feelings "Pro." Those who were opposed to it had very strong feelings also," says Ariyoshi.
Those opposed were worried about other uses the state might devise for it.
"The legislators at least were very much against introducing or having gambling come to Hawaii," says Ariyoshi.
The Robinsons didn't want to sell and told the lawmakers as much adamantly.
"Had the public taken it over it would not be what it is today. it would be gone. it is what it is only because of private control," says Robinson.
A visit Ariyoshi would later make to Ni'ihau as Governor would make him agree with that.
"When I arrived there I came to the conclusion that the people here ought to be left alone they have their own life. they're very used to what they've been doing," says Ariyoshi.
The island is co-owned 50-50 by the Robinson brothers. Bruce Robinson has seven children. We asked him if he's sure future generations of the family will be as committed to turning away offers to purchase or develop.
"It's not a concern. I'm not worried about that," says Robinson.
He says the legacy of family stewardship and providing for the 130 villagers there is well understood.
"Their great grandfather dealt with our great grandmother. So it's more than an employee relationship, it's more than that. it's people that we've grown up with. So it's more of an expanded family type thing," says Robinson.
