Niihau Island Takes Endemics Seriously

You might want to go to Niihau Island to enjoy its lush-green beauty but can only admire the place in photos. A Scottish woman named Elizabeth Sinclair purchased it back in the mid-19th century, and her descendants own it since then.

But in 1952, the entire area got affected by polio. Due to this epidemic, a ban on the entry and exit of the land resulted. Thankfully, things got under control with time! But to date, people have to obtain a special gate pass to reach the island. Be it rich or famous – there is no exception to this rule. Fun fact- Niihau now houses approximately only 170 people!