We enjoy working with both novice enthusiasts and seasoned collectors. Fill out the requested information. This particular piece is from an estate collection and was well cared for. Copyright 101 Things To Do. 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. 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. Splash about in puddles on the beach and look for shells and oh! 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. Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. They have been used for centuries by the native people of these islands. Absolutely stunning Niihau shells! Tours begin from Koloa, Kauai, and take participants across the often-rough Kaulakahi Channel to Lehua. With powerful tools and services, along with expert support and education, we help creative entrepreneurs start, manage, and scale their businesses. This classic look first made it's splash when Queen Emmalani wore her Laiki shell lei abroad to meet diplomats in Europe. These shells are very unique, and they are found only on the island of Ni'ihau. Kauai has some outstandingly beautiful beaches; these are just some of the best shell beaches on Kauai! 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. http://new.photos.yahoo.com/bjbert38@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762401505316. 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. The average size of Kahelelani shells will . Any pieces shown here for sale may be slightly different and can be customized to your specifications. I had "rat-holed" birthday and Christmas money for a year or so, and had nice sum to spend, but NOTHING like $5000. I've bought from him at SH. Monica Wachman, Leaf Group. Made only on Niihau, a private island off Kauais west side, the lei are known as one of Polynesias finest ART FORMS . Item# 18L10Y0500. 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. Answer 11 of 14: Are there any beaches where visitors can find the beautiful Sunrise shells? what puzzles me is that they can only be found on ni'ihau. Original Price $125.00 Any items in this set can be sold separately. All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. 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!) (a) For the purposes of this section, "Niihau shells" means seashells harvested from the island of Niihau, its waters, or its beaches. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in March. What a life! Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items. Original Price $299.99 Each lei can take up to six months to complete. Certifiable Ni'ihau, Made on Kauai. info@niihauheritage.org, All Rights Reserved Copyright 2020 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. Top Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii: See Tripadvisor's 554,711 traveller reviews and photos of Kauai tourist attractions. Beautiful works of art. Clasp is fixed currently with a granulated cowry but can be doubled and worn as a shorter 20 strand look. What I'm seeking is an actual person or two who've purchased from someone on Kauai if it was a positive experience. Kauai & Niihau Airplane Tours. I would love to hear what you end up buying, with all the details! Try contacting them via Messages to find out! Just a word of caution when identifying Niihau shells. Finished in 14K with 14K spacers. Precious Diamond 808 Detailing Anahola 96703 . Required fields are marked *. 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. Niihau Island lies 17 miles southwest of Kauai. (10% off), Sale Price $93.75 SECTION 1. Pikake stitch graduates to long double Mauna Loa strands of high luster. Absolutely! Left in photo is poe poe kipona, center is crownflower and right is heliconia stitch. The value of a lei is also impacted by the availability of certain shells. $1,350.00, $1,800.00 Francesca. The login page will open in a new tab. Last I checked, multi-strand chokers were going for at least $100/strand, but that may be outdated. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The Kahelelani is also the most colorful shell used in Niihau and Kauaian shell leis. It came with a certificate of authenticity and the name of the artisan that created it. This type of data sharing may be considered a sale of information under California privacy laws. Pamela Dow, a Kekaha retailer of the jewelry, hopes to elevate the art form to . The stringing and quality of finish are incredible. big store at the corner of Lawaii Road and 580. 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. My last purchase there was an amazing "sunrise" shell. Indeed it is. Here are the official colors and flowers of Hawaiian islands from the bottom to the top, Hawaii to Ni'ihau. Niihau Shell Leis is another exciting book you may bring home with you. Theres beach access on both ends of Alamoo and you can usually park on Alealea road. I would like toknow where to look. (25% off), Sale Price $112.50 bjbert--I tried the link you provided, but it tells me "something bad happened" and I can't get to the pics. Can be sold individually or with earrings. Hawaiian is their first language, English is second. Item# 18D01LK0085. 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. Please. About Us This yellow/white lei consists of ten strands of laiki shells, all 18" long. Buy 2 Get 3rd item FREE - Store only. Ni'ihau is estimated to be 4.9-6 million years old. THE FORBIDDEN ISLAND. The island was purchased almost 125 years ago by the Robinson family, who also own a large portion of Kauai. The real niihau necklaces that I have seen were at the Trading Post on Koloa rd, and hwy 50 on the south shorethose pupies were expensive, and a couple of grand on up but the authentic items. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. 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 . [1] Kahelelani came from the royal Kaulamakaula line ("the red bloodline"). 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. So you only have two options for setting foot on the island: take a helicopter tour from Kauai or . Ha'aheo, Hawaiian Crafts. 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. several thousand dollars for a multi-strand ni'ihau shell lei! and just poking holes in these tiny shells and stringing them up is soooo labor-intensive! Their prices tend to be high, although I bought a lei there many years ago. To live in such a beautiful place filled. :-) Report inappropriate content AkamaiNick4SW Maui Here are two photos of Niihau shell necklaces in a collection at Hawaiian Trading Post at Kalaheo. Yes! I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. This is a kipona mixed shell set features green O'mao O'mao kahelelani poe poe sections and 14K gold clasps. 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. $254.99, $299.99 They are found in greatest numbers on Ni'ihau and Kauai, although isolated populations occur on all of the Hawaiian Islands. If you don't see it, it might be in your junk/spam folder. Both bracelet 7" and necklace 19" can be combined to create a longer 26" lei for versatile wear. 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. Aloha~ Rob Arita, These are momi shells. $85.50, $95.00 $450.00, $600.00 Finding a sunrise shell when its just a gift from the ocean ah thats special. 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). Our main goal is to pair the right piece with it's soul mate. The bracelet is an optional extension to the lei. Lava Lava Cafe on the beach. Glass Beach Jewelry Designs 96714 . What more could you ask! Not even enough for one necklace.   United States   |   English (US)   |   $ (USD). 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. They are also the most difficult to collect in usable quantities. You can dress long in the flapper fashion, short as a choker, or as a waistband beach accessory. Colors and lengths can vary depending on what is in stock. Big Blue Princeville 96722 . $1,485.00, $1,650.00 Located on the island of 'Oahu, w e sale primarily at craft fairs, public events, and fundraising events. Today, the craft of lei-making with Niihau shells is protected thanks to a law enacted by the Hawaii state legislature in 2004 (source). Ni'ihau is a private island with a population of 160, mostly of pure Native Hawaiian descent. I bought mine from a Spouting Horn vendor about ten years ago. Cowrie - all different varieties. They come in a wide range of colors. (c) Any product or jewelry item that consists of at least eighty per cent Niihau shells, by count, and that meets the requirement of subsection (b)(2), may be described, labeled, or identified using the term "contains", followed immediately by the nearest whole number representing the percentage of Niihau shells, by count, contained in the product or jewelry item, followed by the term, "% Niihau shells" or "% Niihau shells".". It's actually far more interesting a piece than the higher quality ones simply because of it's varied coloration. Please check your email for a link to verify your email address. $34.50, $69.00 I'd love to check it out! We have many types of earrings, also silver hooks available at reduced cost. Allows labeling that indicates percentage of Niihau shell content if item contains at least 80% Niihau shells and is made entirely in State. 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. You've already signed up for some newsletters, but you haven't confirmed your address. Kauai Rainbow Connection 96714 . I'm heading to Hawaii in May for my first time. Solid 14K finish with magnetic attachment for a safe and easy to operate clasp. These pieces were designed to have a gentle contrast between Kahelelani and Momi and were made together but sold separately. MauiPuaLani (26) $95.00 FREE shipping See more ideas about niihau shells, niihau, shells. 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. The center is heliconia stitch. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. 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. when you sign up for the 101 Things To Do email newsletter! King Kamehameha IV sold it for $10,000 in 1863 to Elizabeth Sinclair of Scotland. 20 . We chose to finish these with 14K stunning Cypraea Helvolla Cowry hook and eye. I ended up with a really lovely 2 strand white momi, with matching earrings. It features a delicate design with sea turtles, known as honu in Hawaiian. Price tag: $20,000. Today, there are only about 130 or so people living on the island where they still speak their own dialect of the Hawaiian language. Bellewoods Art Kilauea 96754 . On Ni'ihau, after the designs were carved into the skin, the gourds were said to have been buried in black mud. From this website, I have a list of approved sellers: http://www.niihauheritage.org/niihau_shells.htm. Instead, there are plenty of venues in Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island that offer authentic Niihau shell leis and jewelry. An ipu pwehe sitting amongst ipu vines. Ni'ihau Shell Heirlooms. (25% off), Sale Price $1,485.00 Over 80% by count Niihau shells, this piece is a high fashion statement. 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 ? 2. There may be variations, however, in the names that other lei makers commonly use. One of my favorite aspects of this art form is that living creatures are never taken for their shells. 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. Designs by Teresa Kapaa 96746 . 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. Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Ni'ihau also goes by the name, The Forbidden Island, because the island is privately owned. Ni'ihau is probably most famous for the Ni'ihau shell necklaces or lei, which are handcrafted on-island. 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. It has remained popular and is a cornerstone of almost every Niihau collection. Some antique pieces we carry have been refinished for quality purposes. Each earring is unique as there will only be one available at a time. The author has first-hand experience (she visited the island twice!) These earrings will not be duplicated in the future. (a) For the purposes of this section, "Niihau shells" means seashells harvested from the island of Niihau, its waters, or its beaches. 0 . There . Try using a different browser or disabling ad blockers. Here's the website list of Kauai sellers: Waimea Canyon General Store/Forever Kauai (Kekaha). Sold individually, these earrings come in a number of shapes, styles, colors and sizes. (10% off), Sale Price $1,350.00 :-). 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. All have been fully authenticated by makers from Ni`ihau. Not sure why but there seem to be more shells here than anywhere else. 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). Finished with 14K Gold and GEM quality cypraea granulata. I also have purchased one from a shop at Kilhana (which I'm not sure is still there). And my "little" one came from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Finished with a 14K hook and eye clasp and granulated cowry, this is a spectacularly traditional lei. We currently specialize in Ni'ihau shell lei, Seed lei, and Lauhala Weaving. Apparently there used to be a dump there many years ago and this is where the glass came from. Our price is variable and pieces are made with high test line, and in most cases 14K gold clasp. Lava Lava Cafe on the beach. 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. 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. 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). Enjoy the combinations of Kahelelani, momi, and sunrise shells displayed on my site. In fairness, the one I really loved was the much rarer pink shells. There are no cars, running water, or telephones on Ni'ihau. A beautiful lei adorned with Gem quality Hawaiian Honey Cowry that also can be worn as a centerpiece. This topic was brought up on the Europe board and it helped me greatly during my Med cruise last October. Length: 24" Materials: Kahelelani 'ele'ele (tiny dark red burgundy shells) kahelelani 'oma'oma 'o (tan tiny shells) Kahelelani 'akala pua (tiny pink shells) Puka shell (white end cap) momi ke'oke'o kua'ula (white shells) 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. Still want to check it out! There is a palpable individuality to all shell creations from Ni'ihau. 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.. Inquire for bulk or re-sale pricing. As our inventory is changing frequently, please contact us for current inventory not yet posted and custom orders. Just the lei is $800 but earrings and bracelet be sold in addition as a full set for $1200. This set is a matching combination of white Ke'Oke'O Momi shells and Pink Akala Pua Kahelelani. The island lacks basic municipal infrastructure. -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. Original Price $69.00 3864 Iona Road, (808) 634-0101, blu-umi.com 8. This perfect Heleconia Lei has a fine detailed blend of Akala Pua Pink and Ula Ula Burgundy shells. The small shells used in Ni'ihau lei are named after him. 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. Pink, Burgundy, Kamoa yellow in heliconia or crownflower stitch for the same cost. Add to Cart. Its area is 69.5 square miles (180 km 2 ). 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. Certifiable Ni'ihau, Made on Kauai. You might want to stop at the Trading Post out on the highway just to see the varieties. From beach cover-ups and sundresses to Kauai logo tees and the all-popular Kauai Rooster cap. Still, Coffee lovers wont find a better way to sip their morning coffee than this Niihau coffee mug. I forgot to add in my postings about the Nihau shells. Stunning craftsmanship by an expert leimaker. The most famous and cherished is the Sunrise Shell, aka Sunny. Instead, there are plenty of venues in Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island that offer authentic Ni'ihau shell leis and jewelry. Does shopping on Etsy help support small businesses? Another question for the Kauai locals - Do you think Oahu would be any better or worse to shop for my new lei? The Trading Post did used to have a much bigger selection, and there used to be more vendors at Spouting Horn. A jaw dropping array of all colors of Momi and Kahelelani are visible but the ultimate prize is incredible construction and consistency of stringing. Shown below are examples of different styles and colors. 00:00. "Ikigai" Wrap Pants - Tattoo in Black/Bronze Lotus & Lime $49.95. This stunning set can come in any color or style in varied lengths. Niihau is one of the most untouched of all the inhabited Hawaiian islands. Collected from the beaches of the forbidden island and painstakingly cleaned and sewn together is a legacy unique to it's culture. The wedding leis of Niihau are often made with "laiki" or "rice" shells. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. Find modern apparel, prints by local artists and jewelry made from hard-to-find Ni'ihau and sunrise shells. an array of intriguing island finds, like Ni'ihau Shell Leis, Hawaiian collectibles, and local jewelry and gifts. Mine was handed down to me, so I can't help much eithersorry! When combined with kahelelani, momi, and kamoa, the variations are endless. It came with a certificate of authenticity and the name of the artisan that created it. This piece can be worn several ways. 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. Common colors arekeokeo(white),kala(pink),lenalena(yellow), andmaomao(green). Legally, this term refers only to shells actuallygathered on the shores of the Forbidden Island. Did you highlight the link and "copy" it and then "paste" it to the web address line? Hypoallergenic 14K gold ear wire. My latest one was purchased from a Spouting Horn vendor and it came with a certificate of authenticity. Sale Price $450.00 Niihau shell, Heliconia dangle earrings made with vintage, momi ke'oke'o (pure white) shells and Kauai Kahelelani.