I live in Hawaii (Oahu) and a friend is visiting…this friend thinks that residents of Niihau wish that the island was commercially developed. I suspect they do not. What is the right answer?

1. I'm wondering from where your friend got those ideas? Development of Ni'ihau is a very sensitive topic. Ni'ihau is the last place on earth where Hawaiian language is used exclusively. It is a very special place and it is protected from outsiders.

   "What Niihauans themselves think about their future and about the prospect of test missiles is difficult to determine. Their shyness and humility, notwithstanding, Niihauans historically have been forbidden to discuss national-defense research projects that date to the 1958 atomic testing on nearby Johnson Island. Therefore, only two Niihauans overcame an ingrained reluctance to talk with outsiders."
   Continued at http://starbulletin.com/97/07/14/feature…

   Also read the profile of the school: http://arch.k12.hi.us/pdfs/ssir/2006/kau…

Tags: hawaii travel, hawaii real estate