where to find ni ihau shells on kauai where to find ni ihau shells on kauai

Thank you for all of your replys.Sounds like the place to look is The Trading Post, and expect at least a couple grand? This is a museum quality piece made from several seasons of picking shells. Knew they were expensive tho, so not that surprised. It is a bottlebrush- blossom. Original Price $125.00 Niihau shell strands are suspended from stamped . 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. Just the lei is $800 but earrings and bracelet be sold in addition as a full set for $1200. Finish is a Freshwater 14K Gold Pearl safety clasp. With large 7-10mm A grade Tahitian pearls this represents a certifiable Niihau shell lei with the fashionable compliment of pearls. Enjoy your search for the perfect one! 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. 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). For generations, the people of Niihau have been collecting, matching and stringing these tiny, lustrous shells. This pretty Heleconia Lei has a fine detailed blend of Akala Pua Pink and Ula Ula Burgundy shells with O'mao O'mao Green and Ele Ele Brown. Pamela Dow, a Kekaha retailer of the jewelry, hopes to elevate the art form to . It is the most beautiful shell I have seen and it has the most variation in color and patterning in the entire ocean~. What more could you ask! 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. Most of the tiny shells used are all three species: kahelelani, momi, and laiki. Just a word of caution when identifying Niihau shells. In addition is a description and history of the craft with leimakers name and an artist statement. Most, if not all . what a prize when we find one! This pretty set is sewn crownflower fashion and is a great piece for casual or formal wear. Inquire to see our sunrise or cowry collection and have one of these beauties made just for you. Theres beach access on both ends of Alamoo and you can usually park on Alealea road. Jun 14, 2014 - All about ni'ihau shells. I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. It has remained popular and is a cornerstone of almost every Niihau collection. 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! With an official notary, Niihau shells can be evaluated based on its strain and style of stringing. Youll see some people use it as decoration due to its vibrant colors and large size. . Sale Price $450.00 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. Article Sources Did you highlight the link and "copy" it and then "paste" it to the web address line? To be honest, I would shop the vendors at Spouting Horn. $112.50, $125.00 Inquire to have photos sent to you of most current inventory since we often have incredible lei that are not yet posted online. Be sure you're getting authentic Ni`ihau shells. The colors here are Akala Pua Waipapipi (hot pink), O'mao O'mao (green), and Ele Ele (dark brown). Here are two photos of Niihau shell necklaces in a collection at Hawaiian Trading Post at Kalaheo. Matching earrings are 14K gold wire. (a) For the purposes of this section, "Niihau shells" means seashells harvested from the island of Niihau, its waters, or its beaches. A private island with a population of mostly pure Native Hawaiian descent, Ni'ihau has no rivers running into the ocean. They soon became popular among high society southern ladies and became a staple of pearl and jewelry styles. Francesca. Mon-Sat 10:30am . . 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. pzp--that's encouraging, as I doubt I could really afford the thousands range! Photo: Drawing by W. Ellis of Ni`ihau and Lehua in 1778 Ni'ihau Shell Lei - a Part of Ni'ihau Culture for Centuries Top Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii: See Tripadvisor's 554,711 traveller reviews and photos of Kauai tourist attractions. If we were to buy again I'm not sure where we would look first. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. 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. Finished in 14K with 14K spacers. Last I checked, multi-strand chokers were going for at least $100/strand, but that may be outdated. This is a sample of the lei varieties that we create and curate as heirlooms. If the person is not knowledgeable about these things, be very concerned -- especially if they are asking what seems to be a very good price in comparison to other leis. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Hawaii is known for many shells found nowhere else on earth. Aloha! 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. :-). Left in photo is poe poe kipona, center is crownflower and right is heliconia stitch. 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. 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. The Shells of Niihau. $34.50, $69.00 These Niihau shell leis are gorgeous and truly "made in Hawaii.". The shells carefully collected on the Island of Ni`ihau Hawaii, known as the Forbidden Island. It is finished with granulated cowries and a n 18k clasp. [1] Kahelelani came from the royal Kaulamakaula line ("the red bloodline"). This is an excellent start, I appreciate your help. Our global marketplace is a vibrant community of real people connecting over special goods. 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. :-) Report inappropriate content AkamaiNick4SW Maui Niihau Island & Lehua Crater. The stringing and quality of finish are incredible. this style is inspired by the treasures of the ocean and how well they work together. :-), This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Nice to know in not the ink hone with that bad habit! The 1920's explosion in large pearl lariats was based on shell lei worn by Queens of Hawaii while visiting and hosting diplomats. Located on the island of 'Oahu, w e sale primarily at craft fairs, public events, and fundraising events. Sellers looking to grow their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsys advertising platform to promote their items. (25% off), Sale Price $67.50 And my "little" one came from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I talked with her for a bit - very interesting. Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha by the Mkaha Sons of Niihau is full of traditional Hawaiian tunes. 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 ? 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. I would rec Na Mea on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Those prices. This is a kipona mixed shell set features green O'mao O'mao kahelelani poe poe sections and 14K gold clasps. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service, Emperors Emporium has the largest selection of island-inspired jewelry, clothing and Red Dirt shirts, gifts. Bellewoods Art Kilauea 96754 . Using a combination of beautiful Ni'ihau shells and Grade A Tahitian pearls, this longer lei is definitely a showstopper.   United States   |   English (US)   |   $ (USD). Hi Southerngirl: I was in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? They get food from the ranch as well. Kalaheo, Kauai, Hawaii 96741-0348 THE FORBIDDEN ISLAND. Things go up from there. The art of lei-making is unique to Niihaus culture and has been alive since before the arrival of European settlers. 20 . I forgot to add in my postings about the Nihau shells. Kauai. mamma, you can get away with spending MUCH less than a couple of grand. Thanks in advance for your replies. Their prices tend to be high, although I bought a lei there many years ago. 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. 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. With 14K strong magnet clasp it attaches to bracelet to wear long, or can be worn as 3 pieces. This delicate looking 18" lei is comprised of laiki shells and akala colored kahelelani shells. Alternatively, you may use, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? Read. Certifiable Ni'ihau, Made on Kauai. Because these shells have a variety of colors and markings, Niihau artisans use descriptive terms to differentiate them. Good luck in your hunt for your gorgeous Niihau shell lei, Plumeria! info@niihauheritage.org, All Rights Reserved Copyright 2020 Lava Lava Cafe on the beach. Every Ni'ihau shell creation we offer is made with care and selected for quality and originality. It's estimated that around 150 Native Hawaiians inhabit Niihau today. The small shells used in Ni'ihau lei are named after him. 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. In addition to being rare, Kahelelani . I would love to hear what you end up buying, with all the details! About Us Read more in my Privacy Policy. There . 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. Barbara and 22kauai - thanks for Spouting Horn, it's now on the list! Its easy to find pictures of Queen Kapiolani wearing beautiful multi-strand lei as jewelry. The physic Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. 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 . One of a kind handmade jewelry including Ni'ihau shell and Sunrise Shell necklaces, earrings and bracelets all locally made at great prices. Some of the kinds of shells you'll find. This particular piece is from an estate collection and was well cared for. Certifiable Ni'ihau, Made on Kauai. Collected from the beaches of the forbidden island and painstakingly cleaned and sewn together is a legacy unique to it's culture. You walk right into the production kitchen to buy a bag (or three). 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. Does shopping on Etsy help support small businesses? 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. But the other end and in between, you may come across some finds. Here are the official colors and flowers of Hawaiian islands from the bottom to the top, Hawaii to Ni'ihau. Ni'ihau is the westernmost inhabited island in Hawaii. 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. We chose to finish these with 14K stunning Cypraea Helvolla Cowry hook and eye. These earrings will not be duplicated in the future. of Niihaus history and surroundings. It is roughly 18.6 miles long and 6.2 miles wide. As she said best shell beach on the island. Vintage momi shells were gathered in early 1990's. They are high luster, with sparkling brilliance and glass-like feel and surface textures. Earrings additional $85. Sometimes "quality" is in the eye of the beholder so buy what you love! 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! Free housing is provided by the Robinsons. This bracelet is my favorite accessory to wear and a best seller for budding enthusiasts. Utterly fantastic workmanship and quality of shells. (SD1). (10% off), Sale Price $44.10 Copyright 101 Things To Do. Let me know in the comments! 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. I've bought from him at SH. A few other terms includekahakaha(striped),nikiniki(spotted),puupuu(bumpy), and evenwaha ulaula(red mouth). Captcha failed to load. This remote beach is a great shell beach on Kauai. Shelling at Larsens is a wonderful experience. Kapono Ni`ihau Shell Lei 2. The people of Ni'ihau called . Have any questions about where to buy Niihau shell leis or other souvenirs from Hawaiis Forbidden Island? 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!). These tiny, gorgeous shells wash up on the island of Ni'ihau, which is inaccessible to the public. Their display of vintage lei is quite interesting, too. 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. Certifiable Ni'ihau, Made on Kauai. Niihau Island lies 17 miles southwest of Kauai. Among things prohibited are alcohol, drugs, guns, beards, long hair, tattoos, and piercings. 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. But it's not exactly simple. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. If you don't see it, it might be in your junk/spam folder. There may be variations, however, in the names that other lei makers commonly use. a great shell beach on Kauai! Is it legal to collect shells in Hawaii? Original Price $299.99 This piece is 24" and is one of the most treasured favorites in our collection. Consistently earned 5-star reviews, shipped orders on time, and replied quickly to messages, Looks like you already have an account! It hardly ever rains at Polihale so you can do that; nothing like looking at the canopy of the stars. Buy your's now as they may not be available again. It's known as "The Forbidden Island" in Hawaii, and the nickname isn't an exaggeration. Thats a business and I understand people need to feed their families but it takes the magic out of it. Kahelelani shells/Niihau - . These retail for between $350-$600 in shops. They are found in greatest numbers on Ni'ihau and Kauai, although isolated populations occur on all of the Hawaiian Islands. Both snorkel tours combine Niihau with Kauai's Na Pali Coast and range from $250 to $285 per person for a seven-hour excursion.