It is the most beautiful shell I have seen and it has the most variation in color and patterning in the entire ocean~. Printed products with designs that resonate with the Forbidden Island make lovely Niaihau souvenirs. 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. The only job available on Niihau is at the Robinson family ranch, where the majority of the population works raising cattle. This piece can be worn several ways. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. (25% off), Sale Price $67.50 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 jewelry is one of the most Hawaiian art forms represented in Maui Hands. Read. For generations, the people of Niihau have been collecting, matching and stringing these tiny, lustrous shells. Please log in again. Ha'aheo, Hawaiian Crafts. Visit Oahu, Kauai, and Maui! 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. 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. This bracelet features gorgeous shells with a modern design and is finished with a 14K Gold safety clasp. And be especially careful up on the rocks on the north end of the beach. Heres where you can purchase authentic Niihau shell leis: Each of these locations offers Niihau shell leis that should be documented and authentic. These Niihau shell leis are gorgeous and truly "made in Hawaii.". Our famous Alice in Hulaland T-Shirts made on the softest T-shirts we can find and handmade Alice Dresses and Alice T-Shirt Cut-Ups only found in our store. The Big Island - Red - Lehua flower First, The Big Island is red for the fire goddess Pele who lives there, lava is also red. Its easy to find pictures of Queen Kapiolani wearing beautiful multi-strand lei as jewelry. Among things prohibited are alcohol, drugs, guns, beards, long hair, tattoos, and piercings. Made only on Ni'ihau, a private island off Kaua'i's west side, the lei are known as one of Polynesia's finest ART FORMS . Does shopping on Etsy help support small businesses? We enjoy working with both novice enthusiasts and seasoned collectors. Custom Shell Jewelry. Aloha. "Ikigai" Wrap Pants - Tattoo in Teal Tiare Lotus & Lime $49.95. The native iron compounds in the earth possibly reacted with tannins in the gourd, creating black and dark reddish-brown patterns. Great! Lava Lava Cafe on the beach. I would love to hear what you end up buying, with all the details! Ni'ihau Shells More Listed on Feb 26, 2023 One favorite Report this item to Etsy . They are unisex and come in different colors and sizes. 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. I had looked at Totally Hawaiian at Whalers Village, among other places, and they did have a pretty big selection, and some really gorgeous shell lei, but yikes! Answer 11 of 14: Are there any beaches where visitors can find the beautiful Sunrise shells? 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!. They are also the most difficult to collect in usable quantities. They arent stones, of course, but TINY SHELLS that are rare and precious. Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Located 17 miles off the west coast of Kauai lies the island of Ni'ihau, better known as The Forbidden Isle. 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. i tried this and me and my eyes gave up. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Most, if not all . 1. Fill out the requested information. This bracelet features gorgeous shells with a modern design and is finished with a 14K Gold safety clasp. 3864 Iona Road, (808) 634-0101, blu-umi.com 8. Have any questions about where to buy Niihau shell leis or other souvenirs from Hawaiis Forbidden Island? 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. A jaw dropping array of all colors of Momi and Kahelelani are visible but the ultimate prize is incredible construction and consistency of stringing. The songs in this CD will transport you to Hawaiian soil, with the sound of waves of Waikiki and the breathtaking sunrise at Haleakala. My last purchase there was an amazing "sunrise" shell. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59044165', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Oahu, and I'm sure Jebett, KoloaGirl, and others here on the Kauai forum will have more ideas for you. Made famous by artisans on the island of Ni'ihau, they are now known throughout the world as one of the finest types of jewelry. Ni'ihau shell necklace Rare colors AlohaMeraki (4) $549.00 FREE shipping 20 1/2 inches Niihau momi shell necklace and bracelet with kahelelani shells from Hawaii DuangchindaOfHawaii (159) $850.00 Gorgeous Kahelelani Shell necklace Made in Hawaii USA Gold fill thin dainty delicate chain Ni'ihau Niihau like Island Ocean Beach Jewelry Custom orders are always welcome. Click Buy it now or Add to cart and proceed to checkout. What makes Ni'ihau so mystifying is that life here has remained mostly frozen in time. Shown below are examples of different styles and colors. Thanks in advance for your replies. This is a beautiful piece by a legendary stringer. Let me know in the comments! 2. Ehu Kanahele is one of the best known and reputable and her little store "Ehu Kai" is now located at Port Allen (used to be in Waimea next to the Shrimp Factory) -- I HIGHLY recommend Ehu -- she is a true ambassador of aloha and her ohana is one of the most highly skilled lei makers. Each earring is unique as there will only be one available at a time. Top Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii: See Tripadvisor's 554,711 traveller reviews and photos of Kauai tourist attractions. Is it legal to collect shells in Hawaii? Sunrise ( quite rare) Shells you won't find: Ni'ihau. Passion-4-Fashion Hono Ohala Place, Kapaa . 0 . When taken to the highest level, they are undoubtedly fine art. 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). 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. . They are found in greatest numbers on Ni'ihau and Kauai, although isolated populations occur on all of the Hawaiian Islands. In the gaps between the shells, Ive been gifted with more than a few big cowrie shells among others. $450.00, $600.00 To enable personalized advertising (like interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. Kahelelani (born in the late 17th century) was the first ali'i of the island of Niihau, Hawaii; he was the son of High Chief Kanehuanui and High Chiefess Kaluahineloa. (I'm looking at this purchase as I'd do a diamond, a little research goes a long way!). If you want to buy jewelry or leis made with pupu o Niihau, you can ask any shop to provide documentation that the work is authentic. Those prices. 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. Kahelelani is the smallest, most valuable and hardest to prepare. Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in March. 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. At Ali'i Kauai Tours and Charters, we offer one better: A two-for-one air experience. It is in excellent condition and very striking to wear and to look at. On Ni'ihau, after the designs were carved into the skin, the gourds were said to have been buried in black mud. Our main goal is to pair the right piece with it's soul mate. (a) For the purposes of this section, "Niihau shells" means seashells harvested from the island of Niihau, its waters, or its beaches. Finish is a granulated cowry in traditional Ni'ihau fashion. I am trying to think what "bad" could be. The tiny shells wash up already vacant from the snails that they once housed. But the other end and in between, you may come across some finds. [3] This classic look first made it's splash when Queen Emmalani wore her Laiki shell lei abroad to meet diplomats in Europe. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. . BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: SECTION 1. The 1920's explosion in large pearl lariats was based on shell lei worn by Queens of Hawaii while visiting and hosting diplomats. Hi Southerngirl: I was in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Aloha! So there we were asleep and suddenly we were rudely awakened by the sound of an engine revving and bright, bright lights below at the shoreline. These are kahelelani. Collected from the beaches of the forbidden island and painstakingly cleaned and sewn together is a legacy unique to it's culture. Most of the tiny shells used are all three species: kahelelani, momi, and laiki. Take a look on Ebay at items from seller butch6868. I bought a beautiful pair of Ni'ihau Kahelelani Shell earrings at this shop. Add to Cart. Kahelelani are the most rare variety of Ni'ihau shells. Courtesy of HTA. Some of the kinds of shells you'll find. Sunrise Shell Lei Kauai Kahelelani Shell Lei Hawaii Shells Beach Jewelry Eco-Friendly Collected Rare Shells Island Mermaid Sunrise Shell ad vertisement by KauaiShellsandMore. This is an excellent start, I appreciate your help. In 2020 alone, purchases on Etsy generated nearly $4 billion in income for small businesses. 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. Once we receive an email from you, we will respond in a detailed and timely manner. Ever since I learned about Niihau on my last trip to Hawaii, Ive been eager to plan a trip to this remote island. Shades of colors are often identified ashiehie(light) orikaika(dark). Finding a sunrise shell that way is just money. info@niihauheritage.org, All Rights Reserved Copyright 2020 SECTION 1. They come in an amazing array of colors and can be woven into the most beautiful adornments. Established in 2013, its mission is to design clothing for Hawaiians, by Hawaiians, from a modern studio in Kaimuki, near the lower slopes of Diamond Head, the island's legendary extinct volcano.. Colors and lengths can vary depending on what is in stock. 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 best shell beach on Kauai! With a Made in Hawaii selection of Aloha shirts and neckties for men, we offer something for everyone! 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. It is a bottlebrush- blossom. Item #196 Length8 inches Value$1,200 [ made to order ] Inquire Now I'm sharing that information here. There was a problem subscribing you to this newsletter. Finished with a 14K hook and eye clasp and granulated cowry, this is a spectacularly traditional lei. While some shells and shell colors are more common and easy to find, there are other varieties that are extremely rare and a . Its on the best shell beaches on Kauai. In addition is a description and history of the craft with leimakers name and an artist statement. Alternatively, you may use, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. Kauai Tourism Kauai Hotels Kauai Guest House Kauai Holiday Homes Kauai Holiday Packages Kauai Flights Kauai Restaurants Kauai Attractions Kauai Travel Forum Kauai Photos I have one from the Black Pearl (?) Copyright 101 Things To Do. This bracelet is my favorite accessory to wear and a best seller for budding enthusiasts. This is a special order piece and requires 2-3 weeks lead time. I love it and consider it one of my most prized jewelry items. They have some beautiful pieces. I know it's a lot, but have no idea what range we are talking aboutI am interested in getting one when I am there in August, but have a feeling I may be out of my league You should be able to get a pikake choker-length for about $125. Mine was handed down to me, so I can't help much eithersorry! These earrings represent a beautiful PoePoe weave and can be ordered with any color of Ni'ihau Kahelelani. Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha by the Mkaha Sons of Niihau is full of traditional Hawaiian tunes. Pamela Dow, a Kekaha retailer of the jewelry, hopes to elevate the art form to . Price tag: $20,000. I forgot to add in my postings about the Nihau shells. the big truck a few feet from the water and a lady out front with a massive police type light that was lighting up the entire beach but definitely spotlighting the sand. It . This piece features nearly every color of Kahelelani and Momi. I had "rat-holed" birthday and Christmas money for a year or so, and had nice sum to spend, but NOTHING like $5000. The Trading Post did used to have a much bigger selection, and there used to be more vendors at Spouting Horn. Original Price $125.00 Good news! Feel free to contact me via phone or email if you have any questions or are interested in designing a piece! It has just over 100 year-round residents, and they live completely off the grid in a self-sustaining ecosystem. They have been used for centuries by the native people of these islands. Every Ni'ihau shell creation we offer is made with care and selected for quality and originality. The shells carefully collected on the Island of Ni`ihau Hawaii, known as the Forbidden Island. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I would like toknow where to look. 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. Copyright text 2019 by Kauai Vacation Rental Advisor. 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. People get around on horseback, cook on kerosene stoves, and use outhouses. 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. Kahelelani, momi or laiki gathered from other islands are not authentic "Ni'ihau" shells per Hawaii State Law H.B. Another question for the Kauai locals - Do you think Oahu would be any better or worse to shop for my new lei? I also have purchased one from a shop at Kilhana (which I'm not sure is still there). Knew they were expensive tho, so not that surprised. 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. Finish is a Freshwater 14K Gold Pearl safety clasp. Article Sources All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. 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. 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 ? To give you a better perspective of how tiny some of these shells are, the different kinds of shells pictured in this section are also shown next to a quarter from the series of quarters minted with designs honoring each of the states. Solid 14K finish with magnetic attachment for a safe and easy to operate clasp. Mon-Sat 10:30am . Consistently earned 5-star reviews, shipped orders on time, and replied quickly to messages, Looks like you already have an account! Each lei can take up to six months to complete. remembering account, browser, and regional preferences, remembering privacy and security settings, personalized search, content, and recommendations, helping sellers understand their audience, showing relevant, targeted ads on and off Etsy. Allows labeling that indicates percentage of Niihau shell content if item contains at least 80% Niihau shells and is made entirely in State. While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, youll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more. This includes both online and at gift shops across Hawaii. The island of Niihau encompasses 70 square miles and it is located 18 miles northwest of Kauai. Ni'ihau is probably most famous for the Ni'ihau shell necklaces or lei, which are handcrafted on-island. Ni'ihau shell lei are one of Hawaii's most authentic and sought after treasures. Thank you for all of your replys.Sounds like the place to look is The Trading Post, and expect at least a couple grand? http://new.photos.yahoo.com/bjbert38@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762401505316. It came with a certificate of authenticity and the name of the artisan that created it. Kauai also has very talented lei makers and the sunrise shell or Langford's Pecten has become popular as a centerpiece that is combined with the more traditional styles of lei. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. We bought my wife's lei at least a dozen years ago at the Lawai Hawaiian Trading Post. I know this isn't bargain hunting, but I also wonder if Oahu might have a bigger mark-up on them (you know, big city prices!). Opihi - a Hawaiian delicacy. All have been fully authenticated by makers from Ni`ihau. From the time we are children, its something we all want to do! $1,350.00, $1,800.00 Product Code: KFB_N006; Availability: In Stock; $525.00; Qty Add to Cart. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service, Emperors Emporium has the largest selection of island-inspired jewelry, clothing and Red Dirt shirts, gifts. While you can find these rare shells on the shores of the Forbidden Island only, you won't be able to travel and find these souvenirs in Ni'ihau. They are also the most difficult to collect in usable quantities. Today, the craft of lei-making with Niihau shells is protected thanks to a law enacted by the Hawaii state legislature in 2004 (source). With all the beauty of nature~, Hi there, thanks for the comment. Original Price $90.00 This piece is 24" and is one of the most treasured favorites in our collection. an array of intriguing island finds, like Ni'ihau Shell Leis, Hawaiian collectibles, and local jewelry and gifts. I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. Barbara and 22kauai - thanks for Spouting Horn, it's now on the list! Earwires are 14K French Hooks. 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. Sizes can be adjusted and pieces can be sold separately. For us back then it was a rather extravagant purchase. Understandably, the rare shells are highly valued works of art both on display and for . :-), This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Kahelelani shells/Niihau - . Find your treasure or have one made for you. 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. Sellers looking to grow their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsys advertising platform to promote their items. In fairness, the one I really loved was the much rarer pink shells. 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.