A few other terms includekahakaha(striped),nikiniki(spotted),puupuu(bumpy), and evenwaha ulaula(red mouth). Vintage momi shells were gathered in early 1990's. They are high luster, with sparkling brilliance and glass-like feel and surface textures. These shells are very unique, and they are found only on the island of Ni'ihau. See more ideas about niihau shells, niihau, shells. Our main goal is to pair the right piece with it's soul mate. 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. Visit Oahu, Kauai, and Maui! I love it and consider it one of my most prized jewelry items. 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. This is a sample of the lei varieties that we create and curate as heirlooms. 1. Typically, orders of $35 USD or more (within the same shop) qualify for free standard shipping from participating Etsy sellers. This set is a matching combination of white Ke'Oke'O Momi shells and Pink Akala Pua Kahelelani. Most of us refrain from buying books as souvenirs unless the person is a bookworm. 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! Be aware not all shells are Ni'ihau shells. The art of Ni'ihau shell lei making is a precious cultural gift -- if you own a lei you can tell people who made it, where the shells were collected, what types of shells, and the generations of the family that made it passing down this knowledge makes this a true treasure. Your email address will not be published. My last purchase there was an amazing "sunrise" shell. The Trading Post did used to have a much bigger selection, and there used to be more vendors at Spouting Horn. info@niihauheritage.org, All Rights Reserved Copyright 2020 Finding a sunrise shell when its just a gift from the ocean ah thats special. 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. Kahelelani, momi or laiki gathered from other islands are not authentic "Ni'ihau" shells per Hawaii State Law H.B. Niihau, Hawaii: How To Visit Hawaii's "Forbidden Island" - Matador Network Legally, this term refers only to shells actually gathered on the shores of the Forbidden Island. Not sure why but there seem to be more shells here than anywhere else. Bellewoods Art Kilauea 96754 . Kauai. With 14K strong magnet clasp it attaches to bracelet to wear long, or can be worn as 3 pieces. Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? Each lei can take up to six months to complete. Tours begin from Koloa, Kauai, and take participants across the often-rough Kaulakahi Channel to Lehua. There are no ferry services taxiing tourists to Niihau from the other islands, and as you'd expect, no flights to Niihau, either. Kahelelani - Wikipedia Answer 11 of 14: Are there any beaches where visitors can find the beautiful Sunrise shells? This pretty set is sewn crownflower fashion and is a great piece for casual or formal wear. Vintage Niihau Shell Heliconia Earring Vintage Niihau Momi - Etsy 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. :-) Report inappropriate content AkamaiNick4SW Maui Museum Quality Niihau Shell Necklaces - Aloha Kahelelani http://new.photos.yahoo.com/bjbert38@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762401505316. Theres something timeless about walking along a beach looking for shells isnt there? Mon-Sat 10:30am . As our inventory is changing frequently, please contact us for current inventory not yet posted and custom orders. Kauai & Niihau Airplane Tours. Courtesy of HTA. Price tag: $20,000. Inquire to choose your very own sunrise shell for this design. ), Your email address will not be published. Niihau is one of the most untouched of all the inhabited Hawaiian islands. It has just over 100 year-round residents, and they live completely off the grid in a self-sustaining ecosystem. The one I REALLY loved was $5000! Its not a great swimming beach, theres lots of rocks and stones but theres also lots of pools because of that. Using a combination of beautiful Ni'ihau shells and Grade A Tahitian pearls, this longer lei is definitely a showstopper. The Mkaha Sons are famous for championing traditional Hawaiian music, and their incredible harmonies took them to prestigious places like Carnegie Hall. Not even enough for one necklace. 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 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!). While some shells and shell colors are more common and easy to find, there are other varieties that are extremely rare and a . I so wanted a necklace but couldn't afford it :( I did end up getting some earrings. Official Colors and Flowers of Hawaiian Islands - HomeyHawaii My biggest issue is to get an authentic one, not a knock-off. But if you are patient! Shelling at Larsens is a wonderful experience. :D. I would like toknow where to look. There are many books to learn about Niihau, but here are a few that tackle interesting topics. Ni'ihau Shell Lei | The Flowers of Ni'ihau Hawai'i Top Beaches for Shells & Seaglass in the USA - Seatail 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. Original Price $49.00 Each lei can take up to six months to complete. 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. They are valued like a one-of-a-kind diamond necklace. They get food from the ranch as well. If you are a history buff or have someone back home who is, Beekmans book is one of the best Niihau gifts. 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. Inquire to see our sunrise or cowry collection and have one of these beauties made just for you. Aloha Kahelelani - The Finest Quality Hawaiian Shell Jewelry The Story Behind Ni'ihau: Hawaii's Forbidden Island - Culture Trip 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. There . Niihau Island - Niihau Map, Photos and Hawaii Information For experienced, certified scuba divers, Seasport Divers and Fathom Five Divers also visit Lehua. $1,485.00, $1,650.00 Certifiable Ni'ihau, Made on Kauai. Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items. The people of Ni'ihau called . Kauai. (50% off), Sale Price $85.50 Ni'ihau shell lei are one of Hawaii's most authentic and sought after treasures. Learn more. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Earwires are 14K French Hooks. In 2020 alone, purchases on Etsy generated nearly $4 billion in income for small businesses. SECTION 2. Ni'ihau Lei Pp | Images of Old Hawaii This is the beach right in front of Alamoo road, thats the dirt track road which is just north of the Hanalei Colony Resort. 14K strong magnetic clasp for easy removal and safe wear. Niihau: Hawaii's "Forbidden Island" That's In Dangerous Decline "Ikigai" Wrap Pants - Tattoo in Black/Bronze Lotus & Lime $49.95. Original Price $95.00 Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources allows you to collect seashells for personal use but not for resale. This particular piece is from an estate collection and was well cared for. Ni'ihau shell leimaking is a traditional native Hawaiian art form that produces a highly-treasured form of jewelry. Because these shells have a variety of colors and markings, Niihau artisans use descriptive terms to differentiate them. But it's not exactly simple. Sale Price $450.00 Cones Leopard cone, Hebrew cone, Marble cone, others. I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. THE FORBIDDEN ISLAND. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity, Bill of sale with detailed information on your lei. Here's Where to Find the Best Handmade Crafts on Oahu, From - Leisure 6-night multi-island adventures, starting from $1,239. Niihau Shell Leis - Kauai Boat Tours In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the traditional lands of the K Hawaii Paeina (Hawaiian Kingdom) people. 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. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. Enjoy the combinations of Kahelelani, momi, and sunrise shells displayed on my site. Free housing is provided by the Robinsons. Designs by Teresa Kapaa 96746 . Niihau Shell Jewelry - Kauai Finds The island of Ni'ihau lies 17 mile off the west coast of Kauai. 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. Expect to see knockoff s with slightly different labels. And shells! 3864 Iona Road, (808) 634-0101, blu-umi.com 8. 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. With a Made in Hawaii selection of Aloha shirts and neckties for men, we offer something for everyone! It is roughly 18.6 miles long and 6.2 miles wide. -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. What more could you ask! This topic was brought up on the Europe board and it helped me greatly during my Med cruise last October. They are also the most difficult to collect in usable quantities. Shades of colors are often identified ashiehie(light) orikaika(dark). Niihau Aloha Still, bringing music (in a physical format) from a foreign land is an excellent idea to relive your moments there. Some of the kinds of shells you'll find. Those partners may have their own information theyve collected about you. 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. Located 17 miles off the west coast of Kauai lies the island of Ni'ihau, better known as The Forbidden Isle. T-shirts have become a popular souvenir in the last decades: they are practical, original, and a clear reminder of where youve been. Shell Bracelet Kahelelani Shells Hawaiian Beach Jewelry - Etsy Both 14K yellow gold hooks and sterling silver are available. 01:00. To live in such a beautiful place filled. Under Add your personalization, the text box will tell you what the seller needs to know. Thanks in advance for your replies. They come in a wide range of colors. Its easy to find pictures of Queen Kapiolani wearing beautiful multi-strand lei as jewelry. The most famous and cherished is the Sunrise Shell, aka Sunny. Sold individually, these earrings come in a number of shapes, styles, colors and sizes. When taken to the highest level, they are undoubtedly fine art. HB2569 SD1 - Hawaii State Legislature Both bracelet 7" and necklace 19" can be combined to create a longer 26" lei for versatile wear. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Kahelelani Shells 3 strands twisted bracelet at the best online prices at eBay! Shells are generally identified by first indicating the kind of shell, such askahelelani,momi,liki, etc., and then adding any qualifying terms, usually relating to color. Still want to check it out! The kahelelani poe poe blend has all the colors represented in a symmetrical match of width and length. 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. Ni'ihau is the westernmost inhabited island in Hawaii. One of a kind handmade jewelry including Ni'ihau shell and Sunrise Shell necklaces, earrings and bracelets all locally made at great prices. Earrings are 14K french hooks. So you only have two options for setting foot on the island: take a helicopter tour from Kauai or . 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. Up to 20 inches $10,000. Though the nickname stuck, luckily visiting the island is no longer forbidden. Sunrise Shells - Kauai Forum - Tripadvisor Without a doubt, Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha should be in any Hawaiian music fans collection. (25% off), Sale Price $1,485.00 Item #195, Ni'ihau Designer Tahitian Pearl Bracelet sewn with high quality Akala Pua Kahelelani and A Grade Tahitian Pearls. Check out this Hawaii t-shirt, which features a map design showing Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Lanai, and Niihau islands. 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. 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 . Where to Buy In Hawaii- NI'IHAU SHELL ARCHIVE This is a kipona mixed shell set features green O'mao O'mao kahelelani poe poe sections and 14K gold clasps. The seller might still be able to personalize your item. If you opened this thread to learn what I'm talking about, here's some info: http://www.niihauheritage.org/niihau_history.htm, Well, it's not (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Knew they were expensive tho, so not that surprised. They arent stones, of course, but TINY SHELLS that are rare and precious. Shops - Kilohana Plantation Studio Hours. Ha'aheo, Hawaiian Crafts. If you don't see it, it might be in your junk/spam folder. It is the smallest and therefore the most difficult to collect and string. A couple of years ago I was there camping (more on camping on Kauai here) with the girls and we were sleeping up on the sand dunes (to make sure we wouldnt get run over by big trucks on the beach!) From keepsakes to Niihau shell lei, Merrie Monarch - Hawaii News Now Things go up from there. Hypoallergenic 14K gold ear wire. Shells featured are Akala Pua Kahelelani sewn Poe Poe with sections of A Grade South Sea Golden Pearl. I've bought from him at SH. Sold with earrings as a set or individually is a single strand pikake stitch lei comprised of medium grey Uli Uli shells. It is because of the efforts of the Ni'ihau people that Ni'ihau shells. Sunrise ( quite rare) Shells you won't find: Ni'ihau. Fun to look tho..Maybe a single choker strand for me? I would like toknow where to look. Understandably, the rare shells are highly valued works of art both on display and for . BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: SECTION 1. Splash about in puddles on the beach and look for shells and oh! Kauai Tourism Kauai Hotels Kauai Guest House Kauai Holiday Homes Kauai Holiday Packages Kauai Flights Kauai Restaurants Kauai Attractions Kauai Travel Forum Kauai Photos It's our 25th wedding anniversary gift and I could not be more excited! It just means you don't get the fancy, multi-strand long lei. Big Island, Kauai & Maui 6-night multi-island adventure, from $1,459. Required fields are marked *. The center is heliconia stitch. The Shells of Niihau. Free shipping for many products! 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). Kahelelani are the most rare variety of Ni'ihau shells. At 17.5 miles from Kauai, Niihau is the 7th largest of the inhabited Hawaiian islands. $254.99, $299.99 The square mileage of Ni'ihau is roughly 70 square miles. This remote beach is a great shell beach on Kauai. Original Price $299.99 King Kamehameha IV sold it for $10,000 in 1863 to Elizabeth Sinclair of Scotland. They are found in greatest numbers on Ni'ihau and Kauai, although isolated populations occur on all of the Hawaiian Islands. "Must buys" in Hawaii - Hawaii - Cruise Critic Community Absolutely stunning Niihau shells! 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. The shells carefully collected on the Island of Ni`ihau Hawaii, known as the Forbidden Island. The island of Niihau encompasses 70 square miles and it is located 18 miles northwest of Kauai. Niihau Shell Leis is another exciting book you may bring home with you. 33 Fascinating Facts About Ni'ihau, Hawaii Valerie & Valise Mine was handed down to me, so I can't help much eithersorry! 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. 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. This Hawaiian quarter, minted in 2008, shows Kamehameha I, the warrior king who united all of the Hawaiian islands, and also includes the State motto. Niihau, Hawaiian Ni'ihau, volcanic island, Kauai county, Hawaii, U.S. Niihau lies 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Kauai island. This shell . Find modern apparel, prints by local artists and jewelry made from hard-to-find Ni'ihau and sunrise shells. It hardly ever rains at Polihale so you can do that; nothing like looking at the canopy of the stars. Their prices tend to be high, although I bought a lei there many years ago. Stunning. Each piece of Ni'ihau jewelry we carry is in compliance with all laws protecting Ni'ihau shells in Hawaii. there aren't many tools needed either, just stringing line and lots of time! Including Sunrise shells & Puka shells. Inquire for bulk or re-sale pricing. Best Shell beaches on Kauai - Kauai Advisor Shells,Sunrise, Puka, Cowrie This yellow/white lei consists of ten strands of laiki shells, all 18" long. SECTION 3. By Kevin Whitton, author of Moon Hawaii. 39 Hawaiian Ni'ihau Shells ideas | niihau shells, niihau, shells Certifiable Ni'ihau, Made on Kauai. There are no cars, running water, or telephones on Ni'ihau. Common colors arekeokeo(white),kala(pink),lenalena(yellow), andmaomao(green). a great shell beach on Kauai! 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. Only In Your State. and just poking holes in these tiny shells and stringing them up is soooo labor-intensive! (25% off), Sale Price $34.50 Is it legal to collect shells in Hawaii? The Kahelelani shell is the most sought after of the rare Niihau and Kauaian 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. Seahorse Boutique Hanalei, 55190 Kuhio Highway C3, Hanalei, HI (2023) Big Blue Princeville 96722 . The leimaker is well into her 50's and has been working with shells since the age of 7. Most of the tiny shells used are all three species: kahelelani, momi, and laiki. Ni'ihau shell jewelry is one of the most Hawaiian art forms represented in Maui Hands. And those were expensive at Maui Hands as well, but I felt the prices overall were a tad better. With an official notary, Niihau shells can be evaluated based on its strain and style of stringing. Buy your's now as they may not be available again. 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 ? The land was purchased in 1864 from King Kamehameha V and is in many ways a time capsule of life in early Hawaii. 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 wedding leis of Niihau are often made with "laiki" or "rice" shells. I would rec Na Mea on (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. And my "little" one came from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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 . At Ali'i Kauai Tours and Charters, we offer one better: A two-for-one air experience. They are unisex and come in different colors and sizes. Original Price $125.00 Just the lei is $800 but earrings and bracelet be sold in addition as a full set for $1200. 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. Last I checked, multi-strand chokers were going for at least $100/strand, but that may be outdated. All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. These are kahelelani. 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. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. We chose to finish these with 14K stunning Cypraea Helvolla Cowry hook and eye. Sizes can be adjusted and pieces can be sold separately. It's estimated that around 150 Native Hawaiians inhabit Niihau today. The best shell beach on Kauai! Because there are fewer Kahelelani on this piece, the pricing is very affordable at $700 for the necklace, $200 for the bracelet and $75 for the earrings. Photos taken through glass along with bright light reflectance blurred and obscrubed much detail (plus my shaky hands did not help). I paid $20 for it and the gal down the walk "wired" it for me for $15! (SD1). The login page will open in a new tab. what a prize when we find one! Read more in my Privacy Policy. He spent 3 days doing that and came out with just under half a small glass jar. The colors here are Akala Pua Waipapipi (hot pink), O'mao O'mao (green), and Ele Ele (dark brown). Kauai has some outstandingly beautiful beaches; these are just some of the best shell beaches on Kauai! 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. :-), This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Some songs feature the voice of the late, great Israel IZ Kamakawiwaole. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The lei can be connected with the bracelet to make a longer necklace while the earrings make a perfect compliment for any style. Went to the vendor at SH and what a beautiful display! 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. (15% off). are highly sought after and valued as such.