Niihau is one of the most untouched of all the inhabited Hawaiian islands. While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, youll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more. 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. They are found in greatest numbers on Ni'ihau and Kauai, although isolated populations occur on all of the Hawaiian Islands. The 1920's explosion in large pearl lariats was based on shell lei worn by Queens of Hawaii while visiting and hosting diplomats. Absolutely stunning Niihau shells! To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. But it's not exactly simple. It's known as "The Forbidden Island" in Hawaii, and the nickname isn't an exaggeration. The color and size matching, plus the graduated thickness of the lei is really superb. Shelling at Larsens is a wonderful experience. It is 17.5 miles (28.2 km) southwest of Kauai across the Kaulakahi Channel. Polihale is one of the best shell beaches on Kauai and an amazing experience! Good luck in your hunt for your gorgeous Niihau shell lei, Plumeria! If you want to learn about Niihaus history, Niihau: The Last Hawaiian Island by Ruth M. Tabrah is a great way to start. Sunrise ( quite rare) Shells you won't find: Ni'ihau. 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. Niihau Island & Lehua Crater. Here are two photos of Niihau shell necklaces in a collection at Hawaiian Trading Post at Kalaheo. But dont let that story deter you. $34.50, $69.00 Fill out the requested information. Strung Momi Pikake style with breaks of maunaloa strands, this wears long and elegantly. Here are the official colors and flowers of Hawaiian islands from the bottom to the top, Hawaii to Ni'ihau. It is the most incredible form of recycling that I have found. Kahelelani shells/Niihau - . I paid $20 for it and the gal down the walk "wired" it for me for $15! Original Price $125.00 Nice to know in not the ink hone with that bad habit! Instead, there are plenty of venues in Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island that offer authentic Niihau shell leis and jewelry. what puzzles me is that they can only be found on ni'ihau. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. At 17.5 miles from Kauai, Niihau is the 7th largest of the inhabited Hawaiian islands. Inquire to have photos sent to you of most current inventory since we often have incredible lei that are not yet posted online. Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? 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!). I would rec Na Mea on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Original Price $95.00 The most prized are the deep reds, hot pinks, and the dark chocolate colored ones. 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. Indeed it is. What more could you ask! 24", Hawaiian Lei made of precious gem quality shells carefully collected on the Island of Ni`ihau, .. $500.00. Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items. In the gaps between the shells, Ive been gifted with more than a few big cowrie shells among others. SECTION 2. Website by: Emagine, gathered on the shores of the Forbidden Island. The leimaker is well into her 50's and has been working with shells since the age of 7. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59045666', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui in January 2013 and saw the lovely ones at Many Hands, but I hadn't researched at all at that time, didn't know if their prices were fair, if the certificate of authenticity were valid or not, etc. 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. Thats a business and I understand people need to feed their families but it takes the magic out of it. $450.00, $600.00 This is a museum quality piece made from several seasons of picking shells. http://new.photos.yahoo.com/bjbert38@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762401505316. 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! 14K magnet closure is strong and connects to the bracelet for an extended necklace. They get food from the ranch as well. Well, it's not 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. Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha by the Mkaha Sons of Niihau is full of traditional Hawaiian tunes. Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources allows you to collect seashells for personal use but not for resale. It is certifiable with 85% Niihau Shells and features a sunrise shell Centerpiece and sterling silver adjustable length clasp. Including Sunrise shells & Puka shells. Made of precious pupu o Niihau shells, no lei is the same, showing the versatile craft of each Hawaiaan Leimaker. We bought my wife's lei at least a dozen years ago at the Lawai Hawaiian Trading Post. We have many types of earrings, also silver hooks available at reduced cost. (Also, I did update your comment for you! 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. Pikake stitch graduates to long double Mauna Loa strands of high luster. $254.99, $299.99 $44.10, $49.00 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. See more ideas about niihau shells, niihau, shells. English translations of these names, used when describing a lei to someone who is not a speaker of Hawaiian, may also vary and include a variety of colorful descriptions such as butterscotch and hot pink.. Take full advantage of our site features by enabling JavaScript. Today, the craft of lei-making with Niihau shells is protected thanks to a law enacted by the Hawaii state legislature in 2004 (source). Just the lei is $800 but earrings and bracelet be sold in addition as a full set for $1200. Item #195, Ni'ihau Designer Tahitian Pearl Bracelet sewn with high quality Akala Pua Kahelelani and A Grade Tahitian Pearls. Ni'ihau Shell Heirlooms. These retail for between $350-$600 in shops. an array of intriguing island finds, like Ni'ihau Shell Leis, Hawaiian collectibles, and local jewelry and gifts. 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. There was a problem subscribing you to this newsletter. Find your treasure or have one made for you. The island has mysteriously been "protected" from outsiders since the 1800s. Try using a different browser or disabling ad blockers. MF Silver, Kealia . Because these shells have a variety of colors and markings, Niihau artisans use descriptive terms to differentiate them. Ni'ihau Designer Tahitian Pearl Bracelet sewn with high quality Akala Pua Kahelelani and A Grade Tahitian Pearls. Required fields are marked *. :-) Report inappropriate content AkamaiNick4SW Maui Tours begin from Koloa, Kauai, and take participants across the often-rough Kaulakahi Channel to Lehua. (25% off), Sale Price $67.50 King Kamehameha IV sold it for $10,000 in 1863 to Elizabeth Sinclair of Scotland. 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). From handmade pieces to vintage treasures ready to be loved again, Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. We chose to finish these with 14K stunning Cypraea Helvolla Cowry hook and eye. Kauai Advisor ~ Francesca Azuremare ~ has lived on Kauai for 22 years. Our price is variable and pieces are made with high test line, and in most cases 14K gold clasp. Ha'aheo, Hawaiian Crafts. This yellow/white lei consists of ten strands of laiki shells, all 18" long. It's our 25th wedding anniversary gift and I could not be more excited! You can also find online shops to purchase them. This perfect Heleconia Lei has a fine detailed blend of Akala Pua Pink and Ula Ula Burgundy shells. $93.75, $125.00 Not sure why but there seem to be more shells here than anywhere else. It just means you don't get the fancy, multi-strand long lei. We currently specialize in Ni'ihau shell lei, Seed lei, and Lauhala Weaving. This bracelet features gorgeous shells with a modern design and is finished with a 14K Gold safety clasp. 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. Its on the best shell beaches on Kauai. SECTION 3. 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. Visit Oahu, Kauai, and Maui! Thanks in advance for your replies. And shells! The Big Island - Red - Lehua flower First, The Big Island is red for the fire goddess Pele who lives there, lava is also red. Aloha! I bought a beautiful pair of Ni'ihau Kahelelani Shell earrings at this shop. Clasp is fixed currently with a granulated cowry but can be doubled and worn as a shorter 20 strand look. Poe Poe SSG Pearl Lei strung expertly by a master designer. What was your favorite or best purchase in Hawaii? But if you are patient! Matching earrings are 14K gold wire. Kapono Ni`ihau Shell Lei 1. Earrings additional $85. Photos taken through glass along with bright light reflectance blurred and obscrubed much detail (plus my shaky hands did not help). Instead, there are plenty of venues in Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island that offer authentic Ni'ihau shell leis and jewelry. Did you highlight the link and "copy" it and then "paste" it to the web address line? (25% off), Sale Price $112.50 When the sun sets over Kauai's Kekaha Beach on an especially clear night, a tall, silhouetted tract of land emerges west of the Hawaiian islands, toward the horizon. Original Price $69.00 Ni'ihau Helicopters Office Drive to Port Allen Airport Any pieces shown here for sale may be slightly different and can be customized to your specifications. Certifiable Ni'ihau, Made on Kauai. 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 . Dont see this option? For experienced, certified scuba divers, Seasport Divers and Fathom Five Divers also visit Lehua. In addition is a description and history of the craft with leimakers name and an artist statement. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59043927', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Oahu forum, as we'll be a week at each this August. 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. Finish is a Freshwater 14K Gold Pearl safety clasp. The art of lei-making from Ni'ihau shells is a very closely protected one -- the shells cannot be called "Ni'ihau" shells any longer unless they are actually collected on that island (this law was passed just last year I believe) -- since the kahelelani shells, momi shells and others are also found on other islands, this has been a big problem in the past -- the shells from Ni'ihau have a special luster which gives them that most rare distinction. 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. I dont have a photo of one that I took hence the once above, which is also lovely. And shells. In 2020 alone, purchases on Etsy generated nearly $4 billion in income for small businesses. I've saved some excellent information from this forum, thanks to those of you with experience! 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. They are able to grow, find, and hunt whatever they might need on a day-to-day basis, but living in a very arid climate, the people of Ni'ihau still rely on resources from Kauai to survive. Copyright 101 Things To Do. Not great swimming beaches (apart from Lydgate) you can find a few shells if you look carefully at the right time of day. I ended up with a really lovely 2 strand white momi, with matching earrings. Be very cautious when purchasing these leis -- the person who sells them to you should be able to answer these questions: identify the family that made them, what types of shells are used in the lei, what the stringing technique is called, etc. Niihau shell, Heliconia dangle earrings made with vintage, momi ke'oke'o (pure white) shells and Kauai Kahelelani. The 72-square-mile Niihau is everything the major Hawaiian islands Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and its neighbor Kauai are not. $1,485.00, $1,650.00 Copyright text 2019 by Kauai Vacation Rental Advisor. This bracelet features gorgeous shells with a modern design and is finished with a 14K Gold safety clasp. (a) For the purposes of this section, "Niihau shells" means seashells harvested from the island of Niihau, its waters, or its beaches. Sunrise Shell Lei Kauai Kahelelani Shell Lei Hawaii Shells Beach Jewelry Eco-Friendly Collected Rare Shells Island Mermaid Sunrise Shell ad vertisement by KauaiShellsandMore. A beautiful lei adorned with Gem quality Hawaiian Honey Cowry that also can be worn as a centerpiece. Decorated by Leilehua Yuen. This piece is 24" and is one of the most treasured favorites in our collection. We enjoy working with both novice enthusiasts and seasoned collectors. We provide certificates of authenticity with every Ni'ihau creation and in some cases an appraisal free of charge. mammaI checked and I can pull the photos up. Sunnys grow in deep water and rarely wash to the shore. :-), This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. There are no ferry services taxiing tourists to Niihau from the other islands, and as you'd expect, no flights to Niihau, either. Using a combination of beautiful Ni'ihau shells and Grade A Tahitian pearls, this longer lei is definitely a showstopper. I've bought from him at SH. They are also the most difficult to collect in usable quantities. They come in an amazing array of colors and can be woven into the most beautiful adornments. All shells sold as Ni'ihau shells must contain at least 80% Ni'ihau shells and must be made in the State of Hawai'i. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59045746', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui. Palazzo Pant & Kimono Set - Tattoo in Royal & Black Lotus & Lime $121.95. Their display of vintage lei is quite interesting, too. Ni'ihau is the westernmost inhabited island in Hawaii. This pretty set is sewn crownflower fashion and is a great piece for casual or formal wear. On Ni'ihau, after the designs were carved into the skin, the gourds were said to have been buried in black mud. With 14K strong magnet clasp it attaches to bracelet to wear long, or can be worn as 3 pieces. Finish is a granulated cowry in traditional Ni'ihau fashion. I talked with her for a bit - very interesting. Kauai, with its close proximity to Niihau, has an abundant choice of these UNUSUAL AND HANDCRAFTED shell lei. 14K strong magnetic clasp for easy removal and safe wear. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. Precious Diamond 808 Detailing Anahola 96703 . I'm heading to Hawaii in May for my first time. This is a sample of the lei varieties that we create and curate as heirlooms. When combined with kahelelani, momi, and kamoa, the variations are endless. The kahelelani poe poe blend has all the colors represented in a symmetrical match of width and length. Inquire for wholesale pricing. Most of the tiny shells used are all three species: kahelelani, momi, and laiki. Sometimes "quality" is in the eye of the beholder so buy what you love! These are our Ni'ihau shell post earrings. Anyway the photos give an idea what we are discussing. Honolulu Academy of Arts Gift Shop, Honolulu, Havaiki Oceanic and Tribal Art Gallery, Hanalei, JJ Ohana, HanappKauai Museum Gift Shop, Lhue, Maui Hands, Kanapali, Lahaina, Pia, or Makawao. (10% off), Sale Price $1,350.00 An ipu pwehe sitting amongst ipu vines. 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 . Ahhh Polihale. Printed products with designs that resonate with the Forbidden Island make lovely Niaihau souvenirs. Add to Cart. Kauai Crystal Sanctuary Anahola 96703 . Ni'ihau Shells More Listed on Feb 26, 2023 One favorite Report this item to Etsy . Niihau shell strands are suspended from stamped . Now YOU can visit Niihau, the Hawaiian "Forbidden Island" - where "time has stood still". For generations, the people of Niihau have been collecting, matching and stringing these tiny, lustrous shells. are highly sought after and valued as such. It is finished with granulated cowries and a n 18k clasp. The wedding leis of Niihau are often made with "laiki" or "rice" shells. Glass Beach Jewelry Designs 96714 . 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. Once we receive an email from you, we will respond in a detailed and timely manner. In addition, the people from Niihau also grow their own fruits and vegetables. Although, Poleho can be picked on Ni'ihau, our Poleho shells are.   United States   |   English (US)   |   $ (USD). Ni'ihau is estimated to be 4.9-6 million years old. Located 17 miles off the west coast of Kauai lies the island of Ni'ihau, better known as The Forbidden Isle. Look for them at shops around the island. Have any questions about where to buy Niihau shell leis or other souvenirs from Hawaiis Forbidden Island? Inquire for photos of different sets. i tried this and me and my eyes gave up. Fun to look tho..Maybe a single choker strand for me? It has just over 100 year-round residents, and they live completely off the grid in a self-sustaining ecosystem. Don't expect to find the valuable tiny Niihau shells that comprised the jewelry of Hawaiian royalty - they only wash ashore on Niihau, the Forbidden Island. Kauai. -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. The lei can be connected with the bracelet to make a longer necklace while the earrings make a perfect compliment for any style. 2569. The island lacks basic municipal infrastructure. Inquire to see our sunrise or cowry collection and have one of these beauties made just for you. They are valued like a one-of-a-kind diamond necklace. Inquire for bulk or re-sale pricing. Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Sellers looking to grow their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsys advertising platform to promote their items. The center is heliconia stitch. Made only on Niihau, a private island off Kauais west side, the lei are known as one of Polynesias finest ART FORMS . There are four species of Ni'ihau shells, or Pupu 'O Ni'ihau. She advised looking and investigating very carefully.it seems that there are what appear to be " knock offs " out there. Kauai has some outstandingly beautiful beaches; these are just some of the best shell beaches on Kauai! You can dress long in the flapper fashion, short as a choker, or as a waistband beach accessory. While you can find these rare shells on the shores of the Forbidden Island only, you wont be able to travel and find these souvenirs in Niihau. Niihau, Hawaiian Ni'ihau, volcanic island, Kauai county, Hawaii, U.S. Niihau lies 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Kauai island. I did buy the gorgeous book Totally Hawaiian has on Niihau shell lei, which I highly recommend. 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.