‘Forbidden Island’ MAKAWELI >> Helen Matthew Robinson, 91, the owner of Niihau Island and Niihau Ranch, died Wednesday, her son Keith Robinson said today.
owner dies at 91
By Anthony Sommer
tsommer@starbulletin.comShe was buried yesterday in a private service at the family cemetery in Makaweli. Keith Robinson said she was the last member of her generation of the Robinson family, which founded Gay & Robinson Sugar Co.
The daughter of a lawyer, she grew up in Berkeley, Calif., and married Lester Robinson in 1937. Her husband died in 1969.
Niihau, which is home to the last all-Hawaiian community, has belonged to the family since 1864 when Elizabeth Sinclair bought it from the Hawaiian monarchy and moved her family there from New Zealand. Realizing after the purchase the island is subject to long periods of drought, Sinclair bought more fertile land at Makaweli on Kauai a year later but maintained Niihau as a cattle ranch.
Niihau was placed off limits to anyone but invited guests almost a century ago and is known as "The Forbidden Island." The lack of water has made it unsuitable for any development.
Helen Matthew Robinson is survived by two children, Keith and Bruce Robinson, and seven grandchildren. Her two sons will now become the owners of the island.
"There has long been speculation there would be changes regarding Niihau when my mother died but that isn't so," Keith Robinson said today. "Her death will not in any way change the status of Niihau or the direction of Niihau Ranch. Actually, my brother Bruce has been in charge for many years."
