Every piece you purchase from our Ni'ihau collection comes with the stringer's name and a detailed description of the shells on your lei and their Hawaiian names of color and shell. Take a look on Ebay at items from seller butch6868. This remote beach is a great shell beach on Kauai. These earrings represent a beautiful PoePoe weave and can be ordered with any color of Ni'ihau Kahelelani. . Ni'ihau shell leimaking is a traditional native Hawaiian art form that produces a highly-treasured form of jewelry. Try using a different browser or disabling ad blockers. I would love to hear what you end up buying, with all the details! Collected from the beaches of the forbidden island and painstakingly cleaned and sewn together is a legacy unique to it's culture. Big Island, Kauai & Maui 6-night multi-island adventure, from $1,459. 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). Solid 14K finish with magnetic attachment for a safe and easy to operate clasp. Finished with 14K Gold and GEM quality cypraea granulata. Aloha~ Rob Arita, These are momi shells. Its area is 69.5 square miles (180 km 2 ). From the time we are children, its something we all want to do! Kahelelani is the smallest, most valuable and hardest to prepare. For us back then it was a rather extravagant purchase. The island of Ni'ihau lies 17 mile off the west coast of Kauai. Ever since I learned about Niihau on my last trip to Hawaii, Ive been eager to plan a trip to this remote island. Length: 19" Materials: kahelelani 'akala pua (pink tiny shells) kahelel . 20 . Its on the best shell beaches on Kauai. Kauai Rainbow Connection 96714 . It has just over 100 year-round residents, and they live completely off the grid in a self-sustaining ecosystem. It is because of the efforts of the Ni'ihau people that Ni'ihau shells. Big Blue Princeville 96722 . Once we receive an email from you, we will respond in a detailed and timely manner. This piece can be worn several ways. Every Ni'ihau shell creation we offer is made with care and selected for quality and originality. If you don't see it, it might be in your junk/spam folder. Sold with earrings as a set or individually is a single strand pikake stitch lei comprised of medium grey Uli Uli shells. A Ni'ihau shell lei currently located in the British Museum and most likely collected by Cook during one of his several visits to the island of Ni'ihau is made mostly of kahelelani shells. Fill out the requested information. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Both 14K yellow gold hooks and sterling silver are available. 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. The smallest of the populated Hawaiian Islands, Niihau has an area of 70 square miles (180 square km). Those prices. Ni'ihau Shell Heirlooms. (Also, I did update your comment for you! The only job available on Niihau is at the Robinson family ranch, where the majority of the population works raising cattle. Their display of vintage lei is quite interesting, too. We did receive a letter of authenticity, but it has long since been lost. An ipu pwehe sitting amongst ipu vines. (25% off), Sale Price $67.50 Sunrise ( quite rare) Shells you won't find: Ni'ihau. 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 ? $34.50, $69.00 There are no ferry services taxiing tourists to Niihau from the other islands, and as you'd expect, no flights to Niihau, either. Try contacting them via Messages to find out! It . It hardly ever rains at Polihale so you can do that; nothing like looking at the canopy of the stars. You might want to stop at the Trading Post out on the highway just to see the varieties. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! This topic was brought up on the Europe board and it helped me greatly during my Med cruise last October. Passion-4-Fashion Hono Ohala Place, Kapaa . A few other terms includekahakaha(striped),nikiniki(spotted),puupuu(bumpy), and evenwaha ulaula(red mouth). Poe Poe SSG Pearl Lei strung expertly by a master designer. Among things prohibited are alcohol, drugs, guns, beards, long hair, tattoos, and piercings. (a) For the purposes of this section, "Niihau shells" means seashells harvested from the island of Niihau, its waters, or its beaches. These earrings will be a limited stock, so get yours today. Article Sources Top Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii: See Tripadvisor's 554,711 traveller reviews and photos of Kauai tourist attractions. They come in an amazing array of colors and can be woven into the most beautiful adornments. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59049737', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui, and had done a little research, and you are right, it is a big decision and one needs to know a bit about what to look for, much like diamond shopping. Because these shells have a variety of colors and markings, Niihau artisans use descriptive terms to differentiate them. Thank you for all of your replys.Sounds like the place to look is The Trading Post, and expect at least a couple grand? Kauai, with its close proximity to Niihau, has an abundant choice of these UNUSUAL AND HANDCRAFTED shell lei. Most of the tiny shells used are all three species: kahelelani, momi, and laiki. (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".". While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, youll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more. Niihau shell strands are suspended from stamped . The Niihauans have names for all the variations of shell color and pattern. We currently specialize in Ni'ihau shell lei, Seed lei, and Lauhala Weaving. This set is a feature of Ula Ula Burgundy shell accents in a strong base of Pikake strung Momi shells. They have been used for centuries by the native people of these islands. Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items. Ni'ihau shell lei are one of Hawaii's most authentic and sought after treasures. Enjoy your search for the perfect one! 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! They come in a wide range of colors. They do wash up on certain beaches when powerful ocean swells move debris from the depths to the shoreline. 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. Also the gift shop at the Kaua'i Museum is another reputable place to purchase these lei. 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 ? Absolutely stunning Niihau shells! And those were expensive at Maui Hands as well, but I felt the prices overall were a tad better. Typically, orders of $35 USD or more (within the same shop) qualify for free standard shipping from participating Etsy sellers. 6-night multi-island adventures, starting from $1,239. Shhhh. Decorated by Leilehua Yuen. Youll see ad results based on factors like relevancy, and the amount sellers pay per click. (b) Except as provided herein, no person shall offer, display, expose for sale, or solicit for sale any product or jewelry item fabricated, processed, or manufactured with seashells, that is described, labeled, or identified using the term "Niihau" or "Niihau", either alone or in conjunction with other words, or in a trade or brand name, unless: (1) One hundred per cent of all shells in the product or jewelry item are Niihau shells; and. Learn more. This yellow/white lei consists of ten strands of laiki shells, all 18" long. Thanks in advance for your replies. this style is inspired by the treasures of the ocean and how well they work together. of Niihaus history and surroundings. All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. We enjoy working with both novice enthusiasts and seasoned collectors. 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. Lava Lava Cafe on the beach. Diamonds and platinum may be a sign of luxury in the U.S. Mainland, but in Hawaii it's Ni'ihau shell jewelry. And shells! 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. In addition is a description and history of the craft with leimakers name and an artist statement. Finished with a 14K hook and eye clasp and granulated cowry, this is a spectacularly traditional lei. Finish is a granulated cowry in traditional Ni'ihau fashion. what a prize when we find one! Copyright 101 Things To Do. Can be sold individually or with earrings. Niihau, Hawaiian Ni'ihau, volcanic island, Kauai county, Hawaii, U.S. Niihau lies 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Kauai island. Kea Biker Shorts Aloha Mlie $30.95. Original Price $1,800.00 Sellers looking to grow their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsys advertising platform to promote their items. Gorgeous 7 mile beach, stunning pointed cliffs and miles of ocean. Original Price $90.00 Sizes can be adjusted and pieces can be sold separately. Finish is a Freshwater 14K Gold Pearl safety clasp. This type of data sharing may be considered a sale of information under California privacy laws. Kauai. Up to 20 inches $10,000. Kauai & Niihau Airplane Tours. I remember a couple of years ago being impressed by the small collection of leis at the ukulele store in Koloa town, but I don't think that collection exists anymore. Come have a peek at island jewelry! Niihau is such a unique destination its definitely worth leaving some space in your suitcase to bring home a souvenir. (50% off), Sale Price $85.50 Palazzo Pant & Kimono Set - Tattoo in Royal & Black Lotus & Lime $121.95. 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 ? 3 Sizes Available. MF Silver, Kealia . See more ideas about niihau shells, niihau, shells. (10% off), Sale Price $93.75 a great shell beach on Kauai! It is a bottlebrush- blossom. Instead, there are plenty of venues in Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island that offer authentic Ni'ihau shell leis and jewelry. (10% off), Sale Price $254.99 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. But dont let that story deter you. Not even enough for one necklace. . Inquire for photos of different sets. 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. Kauai has many beaches and so heres my pick of the best shell beaches on Kauai! The shells carefully collected on the Island of Ni`ihau Hawaii, known as the Forbidden Island. Anyway the photos give an idea what we are discussing. These shells are very unique, and they are found only on the island of Ni'ihau. I paid $20 for it and the gal down the walk "wired" it for me for $15! Please check your email for a link to verify your email address. They are valued like a one-of-a-kind diamond necklace. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Sunrise shells are a fascinating member of the scallop or pecten family that live in deep Hawaiian waters. Its sad that this is happening. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. 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 Only In Your State. The color and size matching, plus the graduated thickness of the lei is really superb. 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. For each, is a person who will love and treasure it. i tried this and me and my eyes gave up. Just 17 miles from the coastline of Kauai, Hawaii boasts a historic restricted area: the small, 70-square-mile island of Niihau . Cowrie - all different varieties. Hi Southerngirl: I was in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? mamma, you can get away with spending MUCH less than a couple of grand. These are kahelelani. Purchasing a CD might sound outdated with Spotify or iTunes today. The art of lei-making is unique to Niihaus culture and has been alive since before the arrival of European settlers. I love it and consider it one of my most prized jewelry items. [1] Kahelelani came from the royal Kaulamakaula line ("the red bloodline"). Click Buy it now or Add to cart and proceed to checkout. Custom orders are always welcome. Kauai. Clasp is fixed currently with a granulated cowry but can be doubled and worn as a shorter 20 strand look. 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). As she said best shell beach on the island. This completely unique strand is incredibly long and features 3 different styles of sewing Kahelelani and Momi. The island lacks basic municipal infrastructure. 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!) It came with a certificate of authenticity and the name of the artisan that created it. While some shells and shell colors are more common and easy to find, there are other varieties that are extremely rare and a . However, books about the Forbidden Island are some of the best Niihau souvenirs. Good luck in your hunt for your gorgeous Niihau shell lei, Plumeria! $93.75, $125.00 Now YOU can visit Niihau, the Hawaiian "Forbidden Island" - where "time has stood still". In addition, the people from Niihau also grow their own fruits and vegetables. $254.99, $299.99 Yes, its a place full of natural beauty, paradise in many places. Etsy is powered by 100% renewable electricity. We provide certificates of authenticity with every Ni'ihau creation and in some cases an appraisal free of charge. I also have purchased one from a shop at Kilhana (which I'm not sure is still there). what puzzles me is that they can only be found on ni'ihau. 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 . Kalaheo, Kauai, Hawaii 96741-0348 Each earring is unique as there will only be one available at a time. There may be variations, however, in the names that other lei makers commonly use. Is it legal to collect shells in Hawaii? This will differ depending on what options are available for the item. Pink, Burgundy, Kamoa yellow in heliconia or crownflower stitch for the same cost. Great! A Sunrise Shell on Kauai looks like a Sunrise.a half moon of yellows and oranges and reds with the shape above. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity, Bill of sale with detailed information on your lei. This particular piece is from an estate collection and was well cared for. swmarket: thanks for the Na Mea rec; it was on the Oahu recommended list, too and I really love that shop! But it's not exactly simple. When taken to the highest level, they are undoubtedly fine art. My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. On Ni'ihau, after the designs were carved into the skin, the gourds were said to have been buried in black mud. The stretch of beaches from Wailua to Kapa'a encompasses quite a few beaches including the big family beach - Lydgate - and the beach behind the Lanikai Resort and the one in front of the newest (even though it's a couple of years old now!) My last purchase there was an amazing "sunrise" shell. We happily supply curated items to galleries with educational materials.