Glass Beach Jewelry Designs 96714 . You will check in at the Ni'ihau Helicopters sales office on Kaumualii Highway in Kaumakani, on the south shore of Kaua'i. It's next to the post office in the same shopping plaza as Aloha Sweet Delights, whose pink and yellow sign you can't miss from the road. They can also be found on Kaua`i and Moloka`i, but those lack the luster of the authentic ones. Without a doubt, Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha should be in any Hawaiian music fans collection. Niihau ( Hawaiian: [niihw] ), anglicized as Niihau ( / ni ( i) ha / NEE- (ee-)how ), is the westernmost main and seventh largest inhabited island in Hawaii. Using a combination of beautiful Ni'ihau shells and Grade A Tahitian pearls, this longer lei is definitely a showstopper. Let me know in the comments! Product Code: KFB_N006; Availability: In Stock; $525.00; Qty Add to Cart. This is a sample of the lei varieties that we create and curate as heirlooms. It is because of the efforts of the Ni'ihau people that Ni'ihau shells. Kapono Ni`ihau Shell Lei 1. The stringing and quality of finish are incredible. The center is heliconia stitch. This classic look first made it's splash when Queen Emmalani wore her Laiki shell lei abroad to meet diplomats in Europe. 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. You can dress long in the flapper fashion, short as a choker, or as a waistband beach accessory. 6-night multi-island adventures, starting from $1,239. New statutory material is underscored. Finished with 14K Gold and GEM quality cypraea granulata. This piece can be worn several ways. What makes Ni'ihau so mystifying is that life here has remained mostly frozen in time. Some antique pieces we carry have been refinished for quality purposes. what puzzles me is that they can only be found on ni'ihau. Every piece you purchase from our Ni'ihau collection comes with the stringer's name and a detailed description of the shells on your lei and their Hawaiian names of color and shell. Cowrie - all different varieties. My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. 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. Since each sunrise shell pair has a red side and a yellow, we do our best to match a gorgeous color palette together regardless of the color you choose High Quality pure Niihau Shell Lei. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. The 1920's explosion in large pearl lariats was based on shell lei worn by Queens of Hawaii while visiting and hosting diplomats. Passion-4-Fashion Hono Ohala Place, Kapaa . Poe Poe SSG Pearl Lei strung expertly by a master designer. Yikes! MF Silver, Kealia . beautiful shells and lovely work indeed. I feel blessed to live in such a magical, beautiful place. This piece can be doubled and worn as a 2 strand, or worn long over the head with poe poe sections cascading through the center. With an official notary, Niihau shells can be evaluated based on its strain and style of stringing. They have been used for centuries by the native people of these islands. Shades of colors are often identified ashiehie(light) orikaika(dark). Wait time on a lei of this style is between 3 and 6 weeks generally. Niihau shell leis are one of the most prized souvenirs you can bring home from Hawaii; the queens and princesses of Hawaii are often depicted wearing leis made of the three different types of tiny, precious pupu o Niihau shells (source). The leimaker is well into her 50's and has been working with shells since the age of 7. Niihau is such a unique destination its definitely worth leaving some space in your suitcase to bring home a souvenir. They are also the most difficult to collect in usable quantities. mamma, you can get away with spending MUCH less than a couple of grand. They soon became popular among high society southern ladies and became a staple of pearl and jewelry styles. 00:00. These retail for between $350-$600 in shops. Its not a great swimming beach, theres lots of rocks and stones but theres also lots of pools because of that. Bellewoods Art Kilauea 96754 . I dont have a photo of one that I took hence the once above, which is also lovely. Alternatively, you may use, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. Fun to look tho..Maybe a single choker strand for me? $34.50, $69.00 Because these shells have a variety of colors and markings, Niihau artisans use descriptive terms to differentiate them. SECTION 1. Ni'ihau shell lei are one of Hawaii's most authentic and sought after treasures. A few other terms includekahakaha(striped),nikiniki(spotted),puupuu(bumpy), and evenwaha ulaula(red mouth). It's our 25th wedding anniversary gift and I could not be more excited! Sale Price $450.00 :D. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. A good necklace should be well-matched for color and well-graded small to large from the clasp down to the center. Niihau Island lies 17 miles southwest of Kauai. Not even enough for one necklace. Original Price $299.99 Please. Knew they were expensive tho, so not that surprised. Great for little kids to look for tiny fish and cucumber fish and shells. One Niihau shell lei can run from a hundred dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the shell type, color and design. For us back then it was a rather extravagant purchase. Left in photo is poe poe kipona, center is crownflower and right is heliconia stitch. It's the Hawaiian way. Sunrise shells are a fascinating member of the scallop or pecten family that live in deep Hawaiian waters. (10% off), Sale Price $254.99 It has remained popular and is a cornerstone of almost every Niihau collection. Among things prohibited are alcohol, drugs, guns, beards, long hair, tattoos, and piercings. 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. Our main goal is to pair the right piece with it's soul mate. There was a problem subscribing you to this newsletter. Big wave beach Lumahai can yield some amazing shells.. just be careful in the water. Legally, this term refers only to shells actually gathered on the shores of the Forbidden Island. At Ali'i Kauai Tours and Charters, we offer one better: A two-for-one air experience. 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). The small shells used in Ni'ihau lei are named after him. Stunning. Enjoy the combinations of Kahelelani, momi, and sunrise shells displayed on my site. Earrings additional $85. The seventy-two-square-mile island located off the southwestern tip of Kaua'i is part of Kaua'i County but has been privately owned since 1864, first by the Sinclair and now by the Robinson family. :-), This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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). The smallest of the populated Hawaiian Islands, Niihau has an area of 70 square miles (180 square km). Custom orders are always welcome. Although it is not a Ni'ihau tradition to use them as pendants, it became very popular on Kauai starting in the 1970's. The most prized are the deep reds, hot pinks, and the dark chocolate colored ones. If you want to know about Kauais Top Beaches in general, check out my post on that here. I would like toknow where to look. Ni'ihau shell jewelry is one of the most Hawaiian art forms represented in Maui Hands. Their prices tend to be high, although I bought a lei there many years ago. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. Although, Poleho can be picked on Ni'ihau, our Poleho shells are. Have any questions about where to buy Niihau shell leis or other souvenirs from Hawaiis Forbidden Island? This is a kipona mixed shell set features green O'mao O'mao kahelelani poe poe sections and 14K gold clasps. An ipu pwehe sitting amongst ipu vines. Utterly fantastic workmanship and quality of shells. SECTION 3. Sunnys grow in deep water and rarely wash to the shore. Any items in this set can be sold separately. Today, the craft of lei-making with Niihau shells is protected thanks to a law enacted by the Hawaii state legislature in 2004 (source). I'm also asking on the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. Just 17 miles from the coastline of Kauai, Hawaii boasts a historic restricted area: the small, 70-square-mile island of Niihau . Strung Momi Pikake style with breaks of maunaloa strands, this wears long and elegantly. Purchased by a wealthy Scottish widow in 1864, the family-owned island of Niihau is committed to preserving its natural and cultural history perhaps at a dangerous cost. This pretty set is sewn crownflower fashion and is a great piece for casual or formal wear. For each, is a person who will love and treasure it. 3864 Iona Road, (808) 634-0101, blu-umi.com 8. When combined with kahelelani and sunrise shells, you can get stunning results! The Bracelet is an optional extension to the lei or can be worn around the wrist for a flat and delicate compliment to the necklace. The families that live and work on Ni'ihau have collected these shells and developed their own lei making techniques over generations for the most part -- many ohana, like the Kanahele's (who I highly recommend) have members that live on Ni'ihau, collect and sew the leis, and then members who live outside Ni'ihau sell them and the money goes back to the ohana. The square mileage of Ni'ihau is roughly 70 square miles. Heres where you can purchase authentic Niihau shell leis: Each of these locations offers Niihau shell leis that should be documented and authentic. The color and size matching, plus the graduated thickness of the lei is really superb. (25% off), Sale Price $34.50 Kalaheo, Kauai, Hawaii 96741-0348 They are found in greatest numbers on Ni'ihau and Kauai, although isolated populations occur on all of the Hawaiian Islands. I've saved some excellent information from this forum, thanks to those of you with experience! Some of the kinds of shells you'll find. Studio Hours. It . The average size of Kahelelani shells will . are highly sought after and valued as such. With 14K strong magnet clasp it attaches to bracelet to wear long, or can be worn as 3 pieces. Inquire for bulk or re-sale pricing. Both 14K yellow gold hooks and sterling silver are available. As she said best shell beach on the island. Courtesy of HTA. It is in excellent condition and very striking to wear and to look at. Copyright 101 Things To Do. Under Add your personalization, the text box will tell you what the seller needs to know. Opihi - a Hawaiian delicacy. This delicate looking 18" lei is comprised of laiki shells and akala colored kahelelani shells.   United States   |   English (US)   |   $ (USD). The kahelelani poe poe blend has all the colors represented in a symmetrical match of width and length. Original Price $95.00 One of only three places in the world where technology has not yet moved in, Niihau Island (if you pronounce it "Nee-ee-how" you'll be pretty close) is a 72 square mile privately owned island just southwest of the island of Kauai. Absolutely! I would like toknow where to look. Pamela Dow, a Kekaha retailer of the jewelry, hopes to elevate the art form to . Read more in my Privacy Policy. That was NOT in my budget! I'd love to check it out! A jaw dropping array of all colors of Momi and Kahelelani are visible but the ultimate prize is incredible construction and consistency of stringing. bjbert--I tried the link you provided, but it tells me "something bad happened" and I can't get to the pics. It has been privately owned by one family for over 150 years, they enacted a closed-door policy in order to create a cultural preservation site for . This set is a feature of Ula Ula Burgundy shell accents in a strong base of Pikake strung Momi shells. Good luck in your hunt for your gorgeous Niihau shell lei, Plumeria! I bought a beautiful pair of Ni'ihau Kahelelani Shell earrings at this shop. Post Office Box 348 My latest one was purchased from a Spouting Horn vendor and it came with a certificate of authenticity. Copyright text 2019 by Kauai Vacation Rental Advisor. $93.75, $125.00 Decorated by Leilehua Yuen. While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, youll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more. Printed products with designs that resonate with the Forbidden Island make lovely Niaihau souvenirs. We also created 2.6 million jobs in the U.S.enough to employ the entire city of Houston, TX! ), Your email address will not be published. Their display of vintage lei is quite interesting, too. As our inventory is changing frequently, please contact us for current inventory not yet posted and custom orders. I would love to hear what you end up buying, with all the details! [1] Kahelelani came from the royal Kaulamakaula line ("the red bloodline"). Niihau Island & Lehua Crater. Located far west on the chain of Hawaiian islands, Niihau is the smallest inhabited Hawaiian island and has a unique history to match its nickname as Hawaiis Forbidden Island. Very few people visit each year (though visiting is certainly possible), despite the allure of exploring a place that seems almost untouched by the passing of time especially as its within the United States! If we were to buy again I'm not sure where we would look first. Be sure you're getting authentic Ni`ihau shells. My biggest issue is to get an authentic one, not a knock-off. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59045746', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui. Certifiable Ni'ihau, Made on Kauai. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. :cool: this style is inspired by the treasures of the ocean and how well they work together. Allows labeling that indicates percentage of Niihau shell content if item contains at least 80% Niihau shells and is made entirely in State. I paid $20 for it and the gal down the walk "wired" it for me for $15! I would rec Na Mea on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? mammaI checked and I can pull the photos up. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity, Bill of sale with detailed information on your lei. Theres beach access on both ends of Alamoo and you can usually park on Alealea road. I had "rat-holed" birthday and Christmas money for a year or so, and had nice sum to spend, but NOTHING like $5000. (25% off), Sale Price $112.50 (I'm looking at this purchase as I'd do a diamond, a little research goes a long way!). Kauai, with its close proximity to Niihau, has an abundant choice of these UNUSUAL AND HANDCRAFTED shell lei. A Ni'ihau shell lei currently located in the British Museum and most likely collected by Cook during one of his several visits to the island of Ni'ihau is made mostly of kahelelani shells. Stretching only some 18 miles long and about six miles wide, the arid island is located approximately 17 miles off the west coast of Kaua'i. The Mkaha Sons are famous for championing traditional Hawaiian music, and their incredible harmonies took them to prestigious places like Carnegie Hall. The shells used to create NIIHAU SHELL LEI are akin to precious gemstones. Can be sold individually or with earrings. http://new.photos.yahoo.com/bjbert38@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762401505316. In fact, the Hawaiian language is spoken almost . Aloha! Original Price $49.00 Barbara and 22kauai - thanks for Spouting Horn, it's now on the list! What a life! Available by order only. They are unisex and come in different colors and sizes. Item# 16H01WR0250. I so wanted a necklace but couldn't afford it :( I did end up getting some earrings. I love it and consider it one of my most prized jewelry items. Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items. "Ikigai" Wrap Pants - Tattoo in Teal Tiare Lotus & Lime $49.95. From this website, I have a list of approved sellers: http://www.niihauheritage.org/niihau_shells.htm. Sometimes "quality" is in the eye of the beholder so buy what you love! They get food from the ranch as well. Can you check the link for me? Finding a sunrise shell that way is just money. There are also some souvenirs that you can order online which will allow you to experience Niihau at home whether youre still planning a trip or thinking back fondly on yours. 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. When it comes to Niihau souvenirs, Niihau shell leis are one of the most sought-after tokens. Is it legal to collect shells in Hawaii? $450.00, $600.00 I did buy the gorgeous book Totally Hawaiian has on Niihau shell lei, which I highly recommend. Both snorkel tours combine Niihau with Kauai's Na Pali Coast and range from $250 to $285 per person for a seven-hour excursion. When taken to the highest level, they are undoubtedly fine art. These are the only shell in the world insurable as a gemstone but more importantly, a signature of the beauty and labor of each unique Hawaiian Leimaker. (25% off), Sale Price $67.50 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! This piece is 24" and is one of the most treasured favorites in our collection. Its only accessible by driving 20 mins down a dirt track (past the Hyatt and CJM stables.. go to the end, turn right and keep going). Your email address will not be published. These Niihau shell leis are gorgeous and truly "made in Hawaii.". A beautiful lei adorned with Gem quality Hawaiian Honey Cowry that also can be worn as a centerpiece. Each lei can take up to six months to complete. We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Instead, there are plenty of venues in Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island that offer authentic Ni'ihau shell leis and jewelry. Earrings are 14K french hooks. Theres not much variety of lei styles; however, leis are one-of-a-kind in design and come in different price ranges according to the type of shell, its uniqueness, and color. The finish is a large filigree pearl clasp and the balance of colors graduating from pink to burgundy to dark brown provide a great aesthetic while complimenting the marriage of shell and pearl. The island lacks basic municipal infrastructure. It features a delicate design with sea turtles, known as honu in Hawaiian. Pikake stitch graduates to long double Mauna Loa strands of high luster. Cones Leopard cone, Hebrew cone, Marble cone, others. The songs in this CD will transport you to Hawaiian soil, with the sound of waves of Waikiki and the breathtaking sunrise at Haleakala. Most, if not all . To live in such a beautiful place filled. For experienced, certified scuba divers, Seasport Divers and Fathom Five Divers also visit Lehua. I forgot to add in my postings about the Nihau shells. DonsBambooArt $10,000.00 FREE shipping 7 1/2 inches Niihau momi shell bracelet with kahelelani shells from Hawaii DuangchindaOfHawaii (164) $175.00 Handmade Genuine Ni'ihau shell dangle earrings, Kipona style, Aesthetic jewelry # 137. Most of the tiny shells used are all three species: kahelelani, momi, and laiki. Learn more. To be honest, I would shop the vendors at Spouting Horn. I've bought one at the Trading Post, two at Spouting Horn, one at Kaua`i Gold, one at another shop in the Coco Marketplace, now closed, and one on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Ni'ihau is an island off the southwest coast of Kaua'i. Ni'ihau also goes by the name, The Forbidden Island, because the island is privately owned. These earrings will not be duplicated in the future. Ever since I learned about Niihau on my last trip to Hawaii, Ive been eager to plan a trip to this remote island. This design was inspired by Victoria Feinberg. Kahelelani shells/Niihau - . Ni'ihau is estimated to be 4.9-6 million years old. 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. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in March. Its on the best shell beaches on Kauai. Ni'ihau is an island off the southwest coast of Kaua'i. Very nice and striking colors in this lei. Sellers looking to grow their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsys advertising platform to promote their items. While some shells and shell colors are more common and easy to find, there are other varieties that are extremely rare and a . The one I REALLY loved was $5000! In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the traditional lands of the K Hawaii Paeina (Hawaiian Kingdom) people. Taro K Chip Factory The bestand freshesttaro chips in the state, period. For generations, the people of Ni'ihau have been collecting, matching and stringing these tiny, lustrous shells. what a prize when we find one! Palazzo Pant & Kimono Set - Tattoo in Royal & Black Lotus & Lime $121.95. The art of lei-making is unique to Niihaus culture and has been alive since before the arrival of European settlers. Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. Turning off the personalized advertising setting wont stop you from seeing Etsy ads or impact Etsy's own personalization technologies, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive. Kahelelani is the smallest, most valuable and hardest to prepare. Hand crafted Kapono style Hawaiian Lei made of precious gem quality shells carefully collected on the Island of Ni`ihau Hawaii, known as the Forbidden Island. The viewing area perched above the jagged crumbling . and just poking holes in these tiny shells and stringing them up is soooo labor-intensive! However, the term generally refers to three different shells that are commonly used to make Niihau shell lei:kahelelani,momi, andliki, as well as a fourth one,kmoa, which is frequently used to add contrasting color. 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. 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 . One of a kind handmade jewelry including Ni'ihau shell and Sunrise Shell necklaces, earrings and bracelets all locally made at great prices. This perfect Heleconia Lei has a fine detailed blend of Akala Pua Pink and Ula Ula Burgundy shells. There are many books to learn about Niihau, but here are a few that tackle interesting topics. Over the last several years I have not been as impressed with the quality of leis being sold at the Trading Post, they might have a couple of high end ones but I remember them having a much bigger collection than they do now. I bought mine from a Spouting Horn vendor about ten years ago. Although most of the names given in this website are fairly standard among shell lei makers, the shells pictured here and the descriptive names were all supplied by Kanani, an experienced shell lei artisan. Bracelet is burgundy or Ula Ula Kahelelani sewn with momi shells in the heliconia fashion. $44.10, $49.00 Designs by Teresa Kapaa 96746 . The bright red flower growing in the tropical forests on Hawaii island is the Lehua. I talked with her for a bit - very interesting. $254.99, $299.99 Try contacting them via Messages to find out! HEIRLOOMS to many, they are the only shell lei in the world that can be insured. 14K magnet closure is strong and connects to the bracelet for an extended necklace. They come in an amazing array of colors and can be woven into the most beautiful adornments. It came with a certificate of authenticity and the name of the artisan that created it. Hi Southerngirl: I was in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? $85.50, $95.00 I had drooled over Niihau shell lei for my previous two trips to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The island has mysteriously been "protected" from outsiders since the 1800s. These tiny, gorgeous shells wash up on the island of Ni'ihau, which is inaccessible to the public. Jun 14, 2014 - All about ni'ihau shells. Within a couple of weeks of arriving on Kauai 19 years ago, a lovely woman told me about this beach, which very soon became (and still is) my favorite beach on Kauai. Dont see this option? We currently specialize in Ni'ihau shell lei, Seed lei, and Lauhala Weaving. Mon-Sat 10:30am . 3940 Hanapp Road, (808) 335-5586 A private island with a population of mostly pure Native Hawaiian descent, Ni'ihau has no rivers running into the ocean. Splash about in puddles on the beach and look for shells and oh! Inquire to choose your very own sunrise shell for this design. However, books about the Forbidden Island are some of the best Niihau souvenirs. They are valued like a one-of-a-kind diamond necklace. 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 . Last I checked, multi-strand chokers were going for at least $100/strand, but that may be outdated. Etsy is powered by 100% renewable electricity. They are often collected by divers and sold for surprising amounts of cash ($30-$2000 a piece!) Its easy to find pictures of Queen Kapiolani wearing beautiful multi-strand lei as jewelry. Do you mind if I ask how much the Nihau leis cost?