On December 7, 1941, a Japanese pilot named Shigenori Nishikaichi crash-landed his bullet-punctured plane on the island of Niihau after taking part in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Imperial Japanese Navy had designated Niihau for emergency landings, believing incorrectly that the island was deserted. The pilot took several hostages before he was killed by Benehakaka "Ben" Kanahele and his wife Kealoha "Ella" Kanahele.

Since 1992, safaris have allowed tourists to visit the island to hunt eland, aoudad, and oryx, as well as wild sheep and boars. Any meat the hunters do not take with them is given to the village.