Both on and off the island, the Niihau dialect and culture is perpetuated through teaching and learning.
Here at Niihau's village school, students learn the 3 “Rs” and something else more uncommon.
"Being able to live, not subsisting on the land but thriving is a skill that is now lost to a lot of people and it's not lost to them," says island co-owner Bruce Robinson.
With only 130 people living here now, many kids go back and forth, sharing time with other relatives in west Kauai, and while there many attend one of two Niihau-focused public charter schools.
At one, Ke Kula Niihau o Kekaha they speak primarily the Niihau dialect through early elementary, then Hawaiian and English through grade 12.
"We try to make sure they're fluent in both languages so that means having them, coaxing them sometimes, to use the Niihau dialect,” says school director Haunani Seward.
At another right down the road, Kula Aupuni Niihau a Kahelelani Aloha P.C.S., or KANAKA they incorporate English in all grades while also supporting the Niihau dialect.
"Our children already knew the language, this is their first language,” says administrator Hedy Sullivan. “They need to learn English"
Both schools foster the culture, values and spirituality of the home island.
"We practice that here at the school,l when we do our protocol, and that it's important for our students to know that without ke akua nothing is possible, but that with ke akua, we can," said Lauae Kanahele, a teacher at KANAKA.
“You can feel comfortable with your language, with your ohana, with your spiritual beliefs, here as well as on Niihau because it's the same,” Seward said. “And that is important for our children to achieve academically and socially in the wider Hawaiian community."
Whether they're grown only on Niihau or as residents of two islands, students’ Niihau roots remain firmly planted.
"There's that special thing about them where there's no fear,” Sullivan said. “I don't know how to express this. I just feel it with them. They're good citizens, and that's what we want. We want good citizens. Their hearts are beautiful."
If you have any questions or inquiries on the Niihau special you can contact Gina Mangieri at gmangieri@khon2.com before the June 25th Special.
