Aylmer Robinson (1888-1967) was born at Makaweli into a family that had owned the island of Ni‘ihau since 1864, when his great-grandmother, Scottish-born Eliza Sinclair, had purchased it from King Kamehameha V for $10,000.
When Aylmer’s father, Aubrey Robinson, passed away in 1936, Aubrey and his brother, Lester, inherited Ni‘ihau from him.
Although Aylmer and Lester thereafter jointly owned the island, the management of Ni‘ihau was left to Aylmer Robinson, while Lester managed family properties on Kaua‘i.
It was during Aylmer’s tenure as Ni‘ihau’s manager that the island acquired its nickname, “The Forbidden Island.”
The nickname originated as a consequence of a deadly measles epidemic that had swept through Ni‘ihau during the 1920s or 1930s, killing 11 Hawaiian children out of a total population of only about 200.
Prior to the epidemic, access to Ni‘ihau had been fairly open, but from the time of the epidemic onward, access was “forbidden” by Aylmer Robinson to all persons not passing a medical doctor’s health examination on Kaua‘i.
The Robinsons later credited the medical restriction Aylmer imposed with preventing the spread of a national polio epidemic to Ni‘ihau in the early 1950s.
Aylmer’s quarantine remained in effect until about 1978.
Today, the Robinsons allow access only to Ni‘ihau residents and nonresidents with legitimate business.
This policy maintains the residents’ freedom to carry on their traditional way of life without undue outside influence.
Aylmer Robinson was an authority on Hawaiian language, handicraft, geography, history and culture.
He spoke the Hawaiian language beautifully, and his business records pertaining to Ni‘ihau were written by him in the Hawaiian language.
He was also thoroughly acquainted with Ni‘ihau’s historic traditions, including stories of visits by strangers to Ni‘ihau in earlier times.
This knowledge led him to suspect that Spanish and Chinese or Japanese seafarers had reached Hawai‘i prior to Captain James Cook’s discovery in 1778 and had integrated themselves with Hawaiians.
He never married, and willed his ownership in Ni‘ihau to his brother, Lester, and Lester’s wife for their lifetimes, and to Lester’s sons, Keith and Bruce Robinson, Ni‘ihau’s present owners, upon the deaths of their parents.
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Hank Soboleski has been a resident of Kauai since the 1960s. Hank’s love of the island and its history has inspired him, in conjunction with The Garden Island Newspaper, to share the island’s history weekly. The collection of these articles can be found here: https://bit.ly/2IfbxL9 and here https://bit.ly/2STw9gi Hank can be reached at hssgms@gmail.com
Colonialism and control still existing snd practiced. So gross. Greedy Robinsons.
Some of the most charitable and accessible people you’ll ever meet and very humble living given what they have access to. Compare that to any number of celebrities who own property but you won’t be seeing them stopping by the market any time soon, and not without a security guard.
How are they greedy?? Kamehameha sold Niihau to them for 10,000. It’s there’s to do with what they want.
Did alymer leave a book of his knowledge of Niihau?
I would be interested in reading it
This man keep the Hawaiian culture alive!! How dare anyone say he’s greedy or a colonial white man. This man may be white but he was more of a Hawaiian then some of these rasists who hate all white people simple because the color of their skin!! Ni’ihau is a treasure and the people who live there are a blessed. I’m so sick of the hate people cause in each other’s lives because a skin tone. Treat rachet with respect, be the love we so miss and need in the world. Love yourself and stop the hate!!
Thank you Respect!
If you have ever seen Keith Robinson without his green hard hat amazing how much Keith looks like Aylmer. The Robinson’s and extended families have tried very hard to be good stewards. Of any family they have probably done more for Kauai than any other and all out of pocket. Yes they have a business to run which is land and deserve to make a profit. What the Robinson’s have done for the people of Niʻihau to keep a way of life goes without saying. The Bishops did a lot to set up resources for education and history as well. A long time from now history will tell.
Its not a perfect world and the Robinson’s are also not perfect. People look at what they have done and forgot what they didn’t do. They have not built resorts, golf courses, luxury communities. They ranched the land. They employed a lot of people over the years. I met Helen Robinson a couple times before she passed away. Very nice and humble lady. Now its just the two brothers Keith and Bruce, and a handful of family, cousins etc.
If the story is true that when Eliza bought Niihau for $10k the King said: ”Niʻihau is yours. But the day may come when Hawaiians are not as strong in Hawaii as they are now. When that day comes, please do what you can to help them”. Many would disagree but the Robinson’s has done a fairly good job of honoring the Kings request at a cost far exceeding the original $10k payment 150 years ago. I certainly do not believe the government of Hawaii or federal USA could have done a better job.
No I am not friends of the Robinson’s or family. I respect what they have done and also what they have tried to preserve. I also respect what they have not done.
I believe I could come there and continue on your work. I was in the Army as well. Please contact of you are in need of assistance.
How did the disease get on the island to kill all the children? I read the navy is involved in activity on the island that’s way nobody is allowed that’s big money coming in.
Would love to be a resident there