Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha by the Mkaha Sons of Niihau is full of traditional Hawaiian tunes. Kauai Tourism Kauai Hotels Kauai Guest House Kauai Holiday Homes Kauai Holiday Packages Kauai Flights Kauai Restaurants Kauai Attractions Kauai Travel Forum Kauai Photos 39 Hawaiian Ni'ihau Shells ideas | niihau shells, niihau, shells Printed products with designs that resonate with the Forbidden Island make lovely Niaihau souvenirs. Ni'ihau also goes by the name, The Forbidden Island, because the island is privately owned. They arent stones, of course, but TINY SHELLS that are rare and precious. Pikake stitch graduates to long double Mauna Loa strands of high luster. Prices are way up all over. Sold individually, these earrings come in a number of shapes, styles, colors and sizes. With an official notary, Niihau shells can be evaluated based on its strain and style of stringing. The colors here are Akala Pua Waipapipi (hot pink), O'mao O'mao (green), and Ele Ele (dark brown). Its easy to find pictures of Queen Kapiolani wearing beautiful multi-strand lei as jewelry. My biggest issue is to get an authentic one, not a knock-off. Nice to know in not the ink hone with that bad habit! The people of Ni'ihau called . Beautiful works of art. There are many books to learn about Niihau, but here are a few that tackle interesting topics. This topic was brought up on the Europe board and it helped me greatly during my Med cruise last October. Enjoy the combinations of Kahelelani, momi, and sunrise shells displayed on my site. THE FORBIDDEN ISLAND. You will see lots of "Ni'ihau" shell leis or bracelets from smaller crafters on the island, but usually they are the ones from down at Anini Beach -- you can look at them closely and see how weathered they are and how many pukas (holes) they have in them. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. At 17.5 miles from Kauai, Niihau is the 7th largest of the inhabited Hawaiian islands. Both 14K yellow gold hooks and sterling silver are available. It is in excellent condition and very striking to wear and to look at. Some songs feature the voice of the late, great Israel IZ Kamakawiwaole. They have a lot of "stuff" but you can tell the quality pieces and I've always found them to be honest in their discussion of their products. In the gaps between the shells, Ive been gifted with more than a few big cowrie shells among others. Apparently there used to be a dump there many years ago and this is where the glass came from. However, books about the Forbidden Island are some of the best Niihau souvenirs. The bright red flower growing in the tropical forests on Hawaii island is the Lehua. It hardly ever rains at Polihale so you can do that; nothing like looking at the canopy of the stars. The Value of Tradition in Ni'ihau Shell Leis - Hawaii Estate & Jewelry Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. Kauai, with its close proximity to Niihau, has an abundant choice of these UNUSUAL AND HANDCRAFTED shell lei. All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. 1. As she said best shell beach on the island. This remote beach is a great shell beach on Kauai. Most, if not all . This delicate looking 18" lei is comprised of laiki shells and akala colored kahelelani shells. -Ni'ihau Shells- Glowing like pearls, the garlands are made of the most precious and almost priceless shell in the world: Pupu O Ni'ihau. Visit Oahu, Kauai, and Maui! Sizes can be adjusted and pieces can be sold separately. Seahorse Boutique Hanalei, 55190 Kuhio Highway C3, Hanalei, HI (2023) Here are two photos of Niihau shell necklaces in a collection at Hawaiian Trading Post at Kalaheo. Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items. I ended up with a really lovely 2 strand white momi, with matching earrings. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59044001', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kauai, nor Oahu, but I bought mine at Maui Hands in Paia as I wanted to make certain to get an authentic Niihau shell lei. mamma, you can get away with spending MUCH less than a couple of grand. Youll see some people use it as decoration due to its vibrant colors and large size. Its on the best shell beaches on Kauai. In addition to being rare, Kahelelani . Copyright 101 Things To Do. This piece can be worn several ways. I forgot to add in my postings about the Nihau shells. Still want to check it out! We have had persons informally tell us it is worth at least 3-4x what we originally paid for it, most recently by Dylan Thomas the owner of Havaiki. They do wash up on certain beaches when powerful ocean swells move debris from the depths to the shoreline. The Niihauans have names for all the variations of shell color and pattern. bjbert--I tried the link you provided, but it tells me "something bad happened" and I can't get to the pics. I've saved some excellent information from this forum, thanks to those of you with experience! Niihau: Hawaii's "Forbidden Island" That's In Dangerous Decline They are unisex and come in different colors and sizes. Designs by Teresa Kapaa 96746 . Niihau Shells - Etsy The Story Behind Ni'ihau: Hawaii's Forbidden Island - Culture Trip what a prize when we find one! The surrounding coral beds remain unspoiled and untouched by outside influences, allowing the tiny shells . Only In Your State. People get around on horseback, cook on kerosene stoves, and use outhouses. Shades of colors are often identified ashiehie(light) orikaika(dark). Ni'ihau shells are one of the most priced art forms of the Hawaiian culture because the practice has been done for hundreds of years dating pre-western contact. Certifiable Ni'ihau, Made on Kauai. A beautiful lei adorned with Gem quality Hawaiian Honey Cowry that also can be worn as a centerpiece. Have any questions about where to buy Niihau shell leis or other souvenirs from Hawaiis Forbidden Island? Buy 2 Get 3rd item FREE - Store only. These are kahelelani. there aren't many tools needed either, just stringing line and lots of time! While some shells and shell colors are more common and easy to find, there are other varieties that are extremely rare and a . of Niihaus history and surroundings. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-7221950', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Anini Beach -- you can look at them closely and see how weathered they are and how many pukas (holes) they have in them. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. To live in such a beautiful place filled. This stunning set can come in any color or style in varied lengths. The Shells of Niihau. We provide certificates of authenticity with every Ni'ihau creation and in some cases an appraisal free of charge. There . Niihau Tour | Boat Tours to Niihau Comes with Certificate of Authenticity, Bill of sale with detailed information on your lei. The author has first-hand experience (she visited the island twice!) The stringing and quality of finish are incredible. There is a palpable individuality to all shell creations from Ni'ihau. The color and size matching, plus the graduated thickness of the lei is really superb. To enable personalized advertising (like interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. Item #196 Length8 inches Value$1,200 [ made to order ] Inquire this style is inspired by the treasures of the ocean and how well they work together. Each lei can take up to six months to complete. I love it and consider it one of my most prized jewelry items. About Us While the off-whitemomishell is extremely common and easy to find, hot-pink and blackkahelelaniare very rare, so a lei which includes these shells will be priced significantly higher than a similar lei made with shells of colors which are readily available. Kapono Ni`ihau Shell Lei 1. If you browse through my site, you will see some excellent examples of more traditional styles as well as some of the more modern Kauai ones. Answer 11 of 14: Are there any beaches where visitors can find the beautiful Sunrise shells? Each earring is unique as there will only be one available at a time. Ni'ihau is estimated to be 4.9-6 million years old. Fill out the requested information. These earrings will be a limited stock, so get yours today. Knew they were expensive tho, so not that surprised. Their prices tend to be high, although I bought a lei there many years ago. They are found in greatest numbers on Ni'ihau and Kauai, although isolated populations occur on all of the Hawaiian Islands. One of a kind handmade jewelry including Ni'ihau shell and Sunrise Shell necklaces, earrings and bracelets all locally made at great prices. Most of us refrain from buying books as souvenirs unless the person is a bookworm. 14K strong magnetic clasp for easy removal and safe wear. Item #195, Ni'ihau Designer Tahitian Pearl Bracelet sewn with high quality Akala Pua Kahelelani and A Grade Tahitian Pearls. Today, the craft of lei-making with Niihau shells is protected thanks to a law enacted by the Hawaii state legislature in 2004 (source). King Kamehameha IV sold it for $10,000 in 1863 to Elizabeth Sinclair of Scotland. Traditionally worn at weddings but stunning for any occasion is this 10 strand Laiki or Rice shell lei measuring in at 36". Sellers looking to grow their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsys advertising platform to promote their items. . The rare and highly valued shells ( kahelelani, laiki, momi, and kamoa ), are found on the beaches of Ni'ihau and crafted by the island's residents into various styles of lei, earrings . These Niihau shell leis are gorgeous and truly "made in Hawaii.". Good news! Alternatively, you may use, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. Where to Buy Ni'ihau Shell Leis & Other Ni'ihau Souvenirs Stunning craftsmanship by an expert leimaker. Chapter 486, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: " 486- Niihau shells; representing content. For a full list of the different varieties of shells considered Ni'ihau shell, visit, Poleho, also named "night cowry", are another type of shell commonly used with Ni'ihau shells. It's not of the highest quality because of the variation in coloring but the price reflected that and more people have oo'ed and ah'ed over that piece than you can imagine. Article Sources This will differ depending on what options are available for the item. In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the traditional lands of the K Hawaii Paeina (Hawaiian Kingdom) people. Ha'aheo, Hawaiian Crafts. (a) For the purposes of this section, "Niihau shells" means seashells harvested from the island of Niihau, its waters, or its beaches. And be especially careful up on the rocks on the north end of the beach. Ipu - Gourds - Kaahele Hawaii Inquire to have photos sent to you of most current inventory since we often have incredible lei that are not yet posted online. Ni'ihau shell lei are one of Hawaii's most authentic and sought after treasures. (10% off), Sale Price $1,350.00 You will see lots of "Ni'ihau" shell leis or bracelets from smaller crafters on the island, but usually they are the ones from down at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is certifiable with 85% Niihau Shells and features a sunrise shell Centerpiece and sterling silver adjustable length clasp. Niihau is one of the most untouched of all the inhabited Hawaiian islands. For us back then it was a rather extravagant purchase. It has just over 100 year-round residents, and they live completely off the grid in a self-sustaining ecosystem. (10% off), Sale Price $93.75 beautiful shells and lovely work indeed. Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources allows you to collect seashells for personal use but not for resale. A jaw dropping array of all colors of Momi and Kahelelani are visible but the ultimate prize is incredible construction and consistency of stringing. Niihau Shell Leis are alo available at Totally Hawaiian in the Whalers Village Shopping Center , Kaanapali , Maui Mahalo nui loa Malama pono i malama kekahi i kekahi Barbara, Thanks for the tip, Barbara! We happily supply curated items to galleries with educational materials. Ever since I learned about Niihau on my last trip to Hawaii, Ive been eager to plan a trip to this remote island. 24", Hawaiian Lei made of precious gem quality shells carefully collected on the Island of Ni`ihau, .. $500.00. With such a fascinating history, anyone would love to learn about Niihaus culture, the settlers, and how it came to be such a secluded place. :-). Photos taken through glass along with bright light reflectance blurred and obscrubed much detail (plus my shaky hands did not help). When taken to the highest level, they are undoubtedly fine art. Ni'ihau is the westernmost inhabited island in Hawaii. And shells. $93.75, $125.00 A private island with a population of mostly pure Native Hawaiian descent, Ni'ihau has no rivers running into the ocean. I would like toknow where to look. Niihau Island & Lehua Crater. We chose to finish these with 14K stunning Cypraea Helvolla Cowry hook and eye. The 72-square-mile Niihau is everything the major Hawaiian islands Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and its neighbor Kauai are not. "Ikigai" Wrap Pants - Bird of Paradise in Cream/Navy Lotus & Lime $49.95. There are four species of Ni'ihau shells, or Pupu 'O Ni'ihau. HB2569 SD1 - Hawaii State Legislature Ahhh Polihale. Not great swimming beaches (apart from Lydgate) you can find a few shells if you look carefully at the right time of day. Captcha failed to load. For generations, the people of Niihau have been collecting, matching and stringing these tiny, lustrous shells. However, the term generally refers to three different shells that are commonly used to make Ni'ihau shell lei: kahelelani , momi, and liki, as well as a fourth one, kmoa, which is frequently used to add contrasting color. To make some money from the outside world, locals rely heavily on the tiny Ni'ihauan shell, scattered along the beaches of this small island. To be honest, I would shop the vendors at Spouting Horn. Another practical souvenir, this printed towel shows the Hawaiian Islands in a vintage-style map. Item #196, Incredible 5 strand Mauna Loa Lei featuring Kahelelani Akala Pua, ke oke o, ula ula, makue, akala pua waipapipi, omao omao, akala ahiehie, with accents of kamoa lenalena. Instead, there are plenty of venues in Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island that offer authentic Niihau shell leis and jewelry. Finished with a 14K hook and eye clasp and granulated cowry, this is a spectacularly traditional lei. Ni'ihau shells are a variety of endemic species of sea creatures whose shells are picked off the shores of the island of Ni'ihau. Ni'ihau Shells More Listed on Feb 26, 2023 One favorite Report this item to Etsy . Original Price $1,800.00 This piece is 24" and is one of the most treasured favorites in our collection. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The seller might still be able to personalize your item. Without a doubt, Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha should be in any Hawaiian music fans collection. [1] Kahelelani came from the royal Kaulamakaula line ("the red bloodline"). Less than a mile up the Waimea Canyon Drive between mile markers 13 and 14 is the large Pu'u Hinahina Lookout. I have one from the Black Pearl (?) (50% off), Sale Price $85.50 a great shell beach on Kauai! It's actually far more interesting a piece than the higher quality ones simply because of it's varied coloration. Be sure you're getting authentic Ni`ihau shells. These tiny, gorgeous shells wash up on the island of Ni'ihau, which is inaccessible to the public. While you are shelling, you may reflect on the beach where the old classic movie South Pacific was filmed and Mitzi Gaynor singing gonna wash that man right out of my hair!. when you sign up for the 101 Things To Do email newsletter! Yikes! Niihau Aloha Passion-4-Fashion Hono Ohala Place, Kapaa . Etsy uses cookies and similar technologies to give you a better experience, enabling things like: Detailed information can be found in Etsys Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy and our Privacy Policy. MF Silver, Kealia . Glass Beach Jewelry Designs 96714 . Much like shells are the diamonds to any surfer girl, Niihau shells - found only on the island of Niihau are valued like a one-of-a-kind diamond encrusted necklace. Look for them at shops around the island. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59044606', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kauai Products store at Kukui Shopping Center. I had drooled over Niihau shell lei for my previous two trips to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I did buy the gorgeous book Totally Hawaiian has on Niihau shell lei, which I highly recommend. They are found in greatest numbers on Ni'ihau and Kauai, although isolated populations occur on all of the Hawaiian Islands. Museum Quality Niihau Shell Necklaces - Aloha Kahelelani Ni'ihau is probably most famous for the Ni'ihau shell necklaces or lei, which are handcrafted on-island. If you don't see it, it might be in your junk/spam folder. I have found many different shells at Larsens but the gifts of the shells fade into the background compared to the peace and joy of just sitting and sifting or walking along Kaakaaniu beach. $34.50, $69.00 It has remained popular and is a cornerstone of almost every Niihau collection. Native Hawaiian Economic Development; Niihau Shells; Protection, Prohibits sale of seashell items w/description or label using term "Niihau" or "Niihau" unless item contains 100% Niihau shells and is made entirely in Hawaii. The land was purchased in 1864 from King Kamehameha V and is in many ways a time capsule of life in early Hawaii. Want to know more? If we were to buy again I'm not sure where we would look first. Because these shells have a variety of colors and markings, Niihau artisans use descriptive terms to differentiate them. With 14K strong magnet clasp it attaches to bracelet to wear long, or can be worn as 3 pieces. Answer 11 of 14: Are there any beaches where visitors can find the beautiful Sunrise shells? Other places that I would recommend for purchasing Ni'ihau shell lei (or Pu'pu Ni'ihau) is the "tourist trap" by Lawai -- I think it is called Hawaiian Trading Post -- has a large collection of Ni'ihau shell leis -- both for exhibition and for sale -- they always buy from well known Ni'ihau ohana and are a safe bet. Its not a great swimming beach, theres lots of rocks and stones but theres also lots of pools because of that. Mine was handed down to me, so I can't help much eithersorry! The 70-square-mile island (about half the size of Lna'i and twice as large as Kaho'olawe) is the smallest inhabited island in Hawai'i with 84 residents (mostly Native Hawaiian) and 35 houses (DBEDT & Census.) SECTION 3. Theres beach access on both ends of Alamoo and you can usually park on Alealea road. The lei can be connected with the bracelet to make a longer necklace while the earrings make a perfect compliment for any style. When combined with kahelelani, momi, and kamoa, the variations are endless. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Here's the website list of Kauai sellers: Waimea Canyon General Store/Forever Kauai (Kekaha). Our options for clasps are boundless and our collection of gem quality cowry are fabulous. Product Code: KFB_N006; Availability: In Stock; $525.00; Qty Add to Cart. Over the years I have helped thousands of people find the perfect place to stay on Kauai whilst also advising on everything from places to propose to the best Na Pali boat ride. This lei is a very high luster 3-strand long 34" incredible quality piece made with Kahelelani Akala Pua (flower pink), Makue (burgundy), Ula Ula (red, burgundy), O'mao O'mao (green), LenaLena Kamoa, Ele Ele (dark brown, black) and Momi Ke'Oke'O (white, off white), Onikiniki (black striped), LenaLena (yellow), KahaKaha (deep gold stripe) and UliUli (deep grey). Just the lei is $800 but earrings and bracelet be sold in addition as a full set for $1200. Niihau, Hawaiian Ni'ihau, volcanic island, Kauai county, Hawaii, U.S. Niihau lies 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Kauai island. mammaI checked and I can pull the photos up. Allows labeling that indicates percentage of Niihau shell content if item contains at least 80% Niihau shells and is made entirely in State. When I first learned about the shells, the makers from Ni'ihau never used sunrise shells in their work, but it was more common on Kauai. The Big Island - Red - Lehua flower First, The Big Island is red for the fire goddess Pele who lives there, lava is also red. Shell Lei History | Niihau Heritage Cultural Foundation With powerful tools and services, along with expert support and education, we help creative entrepreneurs start, manage, and scale their businesses. Ni'ihau Designer Tahitian Pearl Bracelet sewn with high quality Akala Pua Kahelelani and A Grade Tahitian Pearls. These earrings will not be duplicated in the future. an array of intriguing island finds, like Ni'ihau Shell Leis, Hawaiian collectibles, and local jewelry and gifts. The Trading Post did used to have a much bigger selection, and there used to be more vendors at Spouting Horn. A Sunrise Shell on Kauai looks like a Sunrise.a half moon of yellows and oranges and reds with the shape above. Kahelelani, momi or laiki gathered from other islands are not authentic "Ni'ihau" shells per Hawaii State Law H.B. Utterly fantastic workmanship and quality of shells. pzp--that's encouraging, as I doubt I could really afford the thousands range! His items are good quality and the prices reasonable, though I have to say I'd not dare buy on Ebay where I can't see the piece and try it on. We also created 2.6 million jobs in the U.S.enough to employ the entire city of Houston, TX! I recall a few years ago camping with some friends down the end and one of the group spending hours sifting through the sand looking for (and finding the much sought after Niihau shells those tiny pink and red mini shells that are made into the famous Niihau Leis (necklaces). And you are so right, Barbara, it's not the price. We bought my wife's lei at least a dozen years ago at the Lawai Hawaiian Trading Post.