Nihoa Island
one of the forbidden Hawaii'an Islands
by Wolfgang Schippke, DC3MF
My special Thank to Mr.Ted Brattstrom (NH6YK) for his pictures and
informations
<=
Nihoa Island from a seamap
Nihoa Island is a solitary islet, located
about 120 miles northwest of the main Hawaii Islands. It is located on
23N03 and 161W55. The island is about 1900 meters from east to west, about
700 meters wide and rises in the northwest on Miller'sPeak to 272 meters,
on Tanager Pinnacle in the east to 266 meters. The island consists of two
ancident volcanos, connected by a barrier of lava. The island is situated
on a flat underwater table, 3 to 5 meters deep, rising steeply from depth
of 300 meters. Except in the Adams Bay the island has 30 to 90 meter vertical
cliffs. Only in Adams Bay's north east side, there is a small stony beach,
where landing is possible during clam weather.
Nihoa is like all other north wester Hawaiian islands, a nature reserve.
Today it is known, that on the island are living more than 50 diferent
kinds of endemic animals and about 12 endemical plants. The Nihoa Island
is one of the rare place for the special Hawaiian Monk Seal, of which only
500 animals are known all over the globe.
The
Nihoa Island was inhabited about 1000 years ago and known as a holy island
by the Hawaiian people. Archeologist found several stony people, known
from the Easter Island. Also on several places the ruines of stony houses
were found.
The first European discovered the island wer the both British Colett
and Duncan with the ships 'Pince of Wales' and 'Princess Royal' on the
21th of March 1788.
Literature:
/1/ John Eliot "Hawaii's FarFlug Wildlife Paradise", in Nat.Geo.,
May 1978
Nihoa Island is a resicted area under the owenership
of the Hawaii'an Fish and Wildlife Service. Any stay and landing needs
a special permit by the Hawaii'an Government, the US Office for Nature
Reserve and of the Hawaii'an Fish and Wildlife Service. Since 1978 the
reefs are absolutely closed for public visits. (updated:
May 08.1997)