the island has a few hundred permanent inhabitants. almost all of them are native hawaiians. they support themselves largely with small family farms. many work for the ranch owned by the robinsons. the native hawaiians lead a rural, low-tech life. they speak the hawaiian language and keep traditions alive. this is because ms. sinclair promised to help preserve hawaiian culture and tradition when she bought the island. niihau is the only one of the hawaiian islands where the hawaiian language is the main language.