Prices are way up all over. In 2020 alone, purchases on Etsy generated nearly $4 billion in income for small businesses. Consistently earned 5-star reviews, shipped orders on time, and replied quickly to messages, Looks like you already have an account! If we were to buy again I'm not sure where we would look first. Glass beach is in Hanapepe and here you may find (depending on the tide) tiny pieces of glass that wash back and forth with the tide. This set is a feature of Ula Ula Burgundy shell accents in a strong base of Pikake strung Momi shells. (25% off), Sale Price $34.50 We provide certificates of authenticity with every Ni'ihau creation and in some cases an appraisal free of charge. I would rec Na Mea on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is 17.5 miles (28.2 km) southwest of Kauai across the Kaulakahi Channel. 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!) Went to the vendor at SH and what a beautiful display! Aloha~ Rob Arita, These are momi shells. (10% off), Sale Price $93.75 This is a special order piece and requires 2-3 weeks lead time. Niihau Shell Leis are alo available at Totally Hawaiian in the Whalers Village Shopping Center , Kaanapali , Maui Mahalo nui loa Malama pono i malama kekahi i kekahi Barbara, Thanks for the tip, Barbara! $67.50, $90.00 I've saved some excellent information from this forum, thanks to those of you with experience! Nice to know in not the ink hone with that bad habit! Photos taken through glass along with bright light reflectance blurred and obscrubed much detail (plus my shaky hands did not help). Its not a great swimming beach, theres lots of rocks and stones but theres also lots of pools because of that. The highest elevation on Ni'ihau is 1,280 feet above sea level. This is a kipona mixed shell set features green O'mao O'mao kahelelani poe poe sections and 14K gold clasps. Over the years I have helped thousands of people find the perfect place to stay on Kauai whilst also advising on everything from places to propose to the best Na Pali boat ride. For generations, the people of Niihau have been collecting, matching and stringing these tiny, lustrous shells. 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). This bracelet is my favorite accessory to wear and a best seller for budding enthusiasts. i tried this and me and my eyes gave up. Captcha failed to load. They are also the most difficult to collect in usable quantities. 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.   United States   |   English (US)   |   $ (USD). beautiful shells and lovely work indeed. This piece is finished with a traditional gem grade single cowry clasp. Required fields are marked *. Lava Lava Cafe on the beach. 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 Trading Post did used to have a much bigger selection, and there used to be more vendors at Spouting Horn. If you don't see it, it might be in your junk/spam folder. The Kahelelani is also the most colorful shell used in Niihau and Kauaian shell leis. This remote beach is a great shell beach on Kauai. Sunrise Shell Lei Kauai Kahelelani Shell Lei Hawaii Shells Beach Jewelry Eco-Friendly Collected Rare Shells Island Mermaid Sunrise Shell ad vertisement by KauaiShellsandMore. Free shipping for many products! Does shopping on Etsy help support small businesses? (15% off). The stretch of beaches from Wailua to Kapaa 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 its a couple of years old now!) The smallest of the populated Hawaiian Islands, Niihau has an area of 70 square miles (180 square km). Inquire to see our sunrise or cowry collection and have one of these beauties made just for you. The shells used to create NIIHAU SHELL LEI are akin to precious gemstones. One of the most expensive items HNN came across was a three-strand Ni'ihau shell lei. Not even enough for one necklace. Most of the tiny shells used are all three species: kahelelani, momi, and laiki. The gem-like shells can be as tiny as the head of a pin and can be found on the beaches of Hawaii's private island. Sale Price $450.00 magical! For us back then it was a rather extravagant purchase. The most famous and cherished is the Sunrise Shell, aka Sunny. All rights reserved. These earrings represent a beautiful PoePoe weave and can be ordered with any color of Ni'ihau Kahelelani. The Mkaha Sons are famous for championing traditional Hawaiian music, and their incredible harmonies took them to prestigious places like Carnegie Hall. Any pieces shown here for sale may be slightly different and can be customized to your specifications. This perfect Heleconia Lei has a fine detailed blend of Akala Pua Pink and Ula Ula Burgundy shells. Ni'ihau Helicopters Office Drive to Port Allen Airport Length and clasp can be adjustable. 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. 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. Item #195, Ni'ihau Designer Tahitian Pearl Bracelet sewn with high quality Akala Pua Kahelelani and A Grade Tahitian Pearls. Try contacting them via Messages to find out! These earrings will be a limited stock, so get yours today. New statutory material is underscored. Inquire to have photos sent to you of most current inventory since we often have incredible lei that are not yet posted online. They come in an amazing array of colors and can be woven into the most beautiful adornments. 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). One of a kind handmade jewelry including Ni'ihau shell and Sunrise Shell necklaces, earrings and bracelets all locally made at great prices. While some shells and shell colors are more common and easy to find, there are other varieties that are extremely rare and a . 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. Although, Poleho can be picked on Ni'ihau, our Poleho shells are. (a) For the purposes of this section, "Niihau shells" means seashells harvested from the island of Niihau, its waters, or its beaches. The most prized are the deep reds, hot pinks, and the dark chocolate colored ones. If you are a history buff or have someone back home who is, Beekmans book is one of the best Niihau gifts. Kea Biker Shorts Aloha Mlie $30.95. 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. If you want to learn about Niihaus history, Niihau: The Last Hawaiian Island by Ruth M. Tabrah is a great way to start. Glass Beach Jewelry Designs 96714 . And be especially careful up on the rocks on the north end of the beach. This pretty set is sewn crownflower fashion and is a great piece for casual or formal wear. Absolutely stunning Niihau shells! 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. (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. Some antique pieces we carry have been refinished for quality purposes. Did you highlight the link and "copy" it and then "paste" it to the web address line? The necklaces can sell for an average of $125 to $25,000, and state law protects the Niihau label. Cones Leopard cone, Hebrew cone, Marble cone, others. The physic 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. We are a Hawaiia n owned, local business that specializes in unique, hand-crafted products that are made in Hawaii. Niihau is one of the most untouched of all the inhabited Hawaiian islands. Please check your email for a link to verify your email address. 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!). Utterly fantastic workmanship and quality of shells. You can dress long in the flapper fashion, short as a choker, or as a waistband beach accessory. several thousand dollars for a multi-strand ni'ihau shell lei! 3940 Hanapp Road, (808) 335-5586 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 ? Inquire for bulk or re-sale pricing. Original Price $90.00 The bracelet is an optional extension to the lei. This piece features nearly every color of Kahelelani and Momi. I then saw some in Whaler's Village and others in Lahaina that were significantly more expensive and appeared to be far simpler than what I'd fallen in love with at Many Hands, which also made me worry about pricing! $85.50, $95.00 Kauai Crystal Sanctuary Anahola 96703 . Traditionally worn at weddings but stunning for any occasion is this 10 strand Laiki or Rice shell lei measuring in at 36". Some Niihau shell leis have been known to be valued for up to $20,000. They are found in greatest numbers on Ni'ihau and Kauai, although isolated populations occur on all of the Hawaiian Islands. Poe Poe SSG Pearl Lei strung expertly by a master designer. 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. -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. One of my favorite aspects of this art form is that living creatures are never taken for their shells. . Available by order only. At Ali'i Kauai Tours and Charters, we offer one better: A two-for-one air experience. 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 For generations, the people of Ni'ihau have been collecting, matching and stringing these tiny, lustrous shells. Its sad that this is happening. Opihi - a Hawaiian delicacy. Do you mind if I ask how much the Nihau leis cost? 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. Copyright 101 Things To Do. We enjoy working with both novice enthusiasts and seasoned collectors. Typically, orders of $35 USD or more (within the same shop) qualify for free standard shipping from participating Etsy sellers. Original Price $1,650.00 T-shirts have become a popular souvenir in the last decades: they are practical, original, and a clear reminder of where youve been. These pieces were designed to have a gentle contrast between Kahelelani and Momi and were made together but sold separately. Now I'm sharing that information here. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Kauai, with its close proximity to Niihau, has an abundant choice of these UNUSUAL AND HANDCRAFTED shell lei. In the gaps between the shells, Ive been gifted with more than a few big cowrie shells among others. Fill out the requested information. While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, youll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more. But the other end and in between, you may come across some finds. However, books about the Forbidden Island are some of the best Niihau souvenirs. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. of Niihaus history and surroundings. Bracelet is burgundy or Ula Ula Kahelelani sewn with momi shells in the heliconia fashion. The art of lei-making is unique to Niihaus culture and has been alive since before the arrival of European settlers. Be aware not all shells are Ni'ihau shells. 0 . ), Your email address will not be published. (I'm looking at this purchase as I'd do a diamond, a little research goes a long way!). It is the most incredible form of recycling that I have found. Learn more. Located on the island of 'Oahu, w e sale primarily at craft fairs, public events, and fundraising events. (sunrise shells are sold for quite a bit) . Polihale is one of the best shell beaches on Kauai and an amazing experience! 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 . 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. Hawaiian is their first language, English is second. The shells carefully collected on the Island of Ni`ihau Hawaii, known as the Forbidden Island. It's actually far more interesting a piece than the higher quality ones simply because of it's varied coloration. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. . This type of data sharing may be considered a sale of information under California privacy laws. It is in excellent condition and very striking to wear and to look at. 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. 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. Buy 2 Get 3rd item FREE - Store only. I'm also asking on the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Etsy is powered by 100% renewable electricity. Finished with 14K Gold and GEM quality cypraea granulata. 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. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. Also the gift shop at the Kaua'i Museum is another reputable place to purchase these lei. Pamela Dow, a Kekaha retailer of the jewelry, hopes to elevate the art form to . Inquire for photos of different sets. 2. The island lacks basic municipal infrastructure. It was an hour before daybreak but some local family were looking for Sunrise shells. They are also the most difficult to collect in usable quantities. Buy your's now as they may not be available again. 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. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 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!) The native iron compounds in the earth possibly reacted with tannins in the gourd, creating black and dark reddish-brown patterns. Great! Original Price $69.00 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. Sold separately, these are made to order by a skilled leimaker. 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. Hawaii is known for many shells found nowhere else on earth. I am trying to think what "bad" could be. Now YOU can visit Niihau, the Hawaiian "Forbidden Island" - where "time has stood still". Because these shells have a variety of colors and markings, Niihau artisans use descriptive terms to differentiate them. There are no ferry services taxiing tourists to Niihau from the other islands, and as you'd expect, no flights to Niihau, either. My biggest issue is to get an authentic one, not a knock-off. It hardly ever rains at Polihale so you can do that; nothing like looking at the canopy of the stars. (2) The product or jewelry item is fabricated, processed, or manufactured entirely within this State. This is a museum quality piece made from several seasons of picking shells. Find your treasure or have one made for you. Its area is 69.5 square miles (180 km 2 ). These retail for between $350-$600 in shops. Thank you for all of your replys.Sounds like the place to look is The Trading Post, and expect at least a couple grand? Ni'ihau shell lei are one of Hawaii's most authentic and sought after treasures. With an official notary, Niihau shells can be evaluated based on its strain and style of stringing. Each earring is unique as there will only be one available at a time. The songs in this CD will transport you to Hawaiian soil, with the sound of waves of Waikiki and the breathtaking sunrise at Haleakala. Sold individually, these earrings come in a number of shapes, styles, colors and sizes. . Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. The land was purchased in 1864 from King Kamehameha V and is in many ways a time capsule of life in early Hawaii. 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. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: SECTION 1. :D. The square mileage of Ni'ihau is roughly 70 square miles. The viewing area perched above the jagged crumbling . Heres where you can purchase authentic Niihau shell leis: Each of these locations offers Niihau shell leis that should be documented and authentic. Kahelelani shells/Niihau - . Kauai Tourism Kauai Hotels Kauai Guest House Kauai Holiday Homes Kauai Holiday Packages Kauai Flights Kauai Restaurants Kauai Attractions Kauai Travel Forum Kauai Photos They are found in greatest numbers on Ni'ihau and Kauai, although isolated populations occur on all of the Hawaiian Islands. Ni'ihau is an island off the southwest coast of Kaua'i. These are our Ni'ihau shell post earrings. Strung Momi Pikake style with breaks of maunaloa strands, this wears long and elegantly. Although it is not a Ni'ihau tradition to use them as pendants, it became very popular on Kauai starting in the 1970's. Our options for clasps are boundless and our collection of gem quality cowry are fabulous. 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. 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. The towel is a perfect size to carry around when you need it for laying out on a beach day. But dont let that story deter you. Splash about in puddles on the beach and look for shells and oh! Up to 20 inches $10,000. MauiPuaLani (26) $95.00 FREE shipping I paid $20 for it and the gal down the walk "wired" it for me for $15! and just poking holes in these tiny shells and stringing them up is soooo labor-intensive! what a prize when we find one! Sold with earrings as a set or individually is a single strand pikake stitch lei comprised of medium grey Uli Uli shells. This yellow/white lei consists of ten strands of laiki shells, all 18" long. Finding a sunrise shell that way is just money. Want to know more? The 72-square-mile Niihau is everything the major Hawaiian islands Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and its neighbor Kauai are not. Kauai has many beaches and so heres my pick of the best shell beaches on Kauai! Article Sources There are four species of Ni'ihau shells, or Pupu 'O Ni'ihau. [3] With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. Ahhh Polihale. :-), This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Once we receive an email from you, we will respond in a detailed and timely manner. Understandably, the rare shells are highly valued works of art both on display and for . Both snorkel tours combine Niihau with Kauai's Na Pali Coast and range from $250 to $285 per person for a seven-hour excursion. With a Made in Hawaii selection of Aloha shirts and neckties for men, we offer something for everyone! Among things prohibited are alcohol, drugs, guns, beards, long hair, tattoos, and piercings. You've already signed up for some newsletters, but you haven't confirmed your address. The color and size matching, plus the graduated thickness of the lei is really superb. 14K strong magnetic clasp for easy removal and safe wear. Ni'ihau shell jewelry is one of the most Hawaiian art forms represented in Maui Hands. Good news! The island of Ni'ihau lies 17 mile off the west coast of Kauai. Big wave beach Lumahai can yield some amazing shells.. just be careful in the water. It is the smallest and therefore the most difficult to collect and string. 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. Ni'ihau is the westernmost inhabited island in Hawaii. Enjoy the combinations of Kahelelani, momi, and sunrise shells displayed on my site. Each lei can take up to six months to complete. Niihau shell strands are suspended from stamped . As our inventory is changing frequently, please contact us for current inventory not yet posted and custom orders. Beautiful! There may be variations, however, in the names that other lei makers commonly use. 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 . What makes Ni'ihau so mystifying is that life here has remained mostly frozen in time. I'd love to check it out! Set where you live, what language you speak, and the currency you use. . This is a sample of the lei varieties that we create and curate as heirlooms. Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. This piece can be doubled and worn as a 2 strand, or worn long over the head with poe poe sections cascading through the center. A beautiful lei adorned with Gem quality Hawaiian Honey Cowry that also can be worn as a centerpiece. 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. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. They are unisex and come in different colors and sizes. The kahelelani poe poe blend has all the colors represented in a symmetrical match of width and length. Inquire to choose your very own sunrise shell for this design. To enable personalized advertising (like interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. Jun 14, 2014 - All about ni'ihau shells. We have many types of earrings, also silver hooks available at reduced cost. Each lei can take up to six months to complete. To be honest, I would shop the vendors at Spouting Horn. There is a palpable individuality to all shell creations from Ni'ihau. Although most of the names given in this website are fairly standard among shell lei makers, the shells pictured here and the descriptive names were all supplied by Kanani, an experienced shell lei artisan. The 70-square-mile island (about half the size of Lna'i and twice as large as Kaho'olawe) is the smallest inhabited island in Hawai'i with 84 residents (mostly Native Hawaiian) and 35 houses (DBEDT & Census.) Located 17 miles off the west coast of Kauai lies the island of Ni'ihau, better known as The Forbidden Isle. Designs by Teresa Kapaa 96746 . Have any questions about where to buy Niihau shell leis or other souvenirs from Hawaiis Forbidden Island? Kahelelani, momi or laiki gathered from other islands are not authentic "Ni'ihau" shells per Hawaii State Law H.B. 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. what puzzles me is that they can only be found on ni'ihau. What I'm seeking is an actual person or two who've purchased from someone on Kauai if it was a positive experience. Free housing is provided by the Robinsons. This stunning set can come in any color or style in varied lengths. Youll see some people use it as decoration due to its vibrant colors and large size. Our price is variable and pieces are made with high test line, and in most cases 14K gold clasp. This completely unique strand is incredibly long and features 3 different styles of sewing Kahelelani and Momi. 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. Just the lei is $800 but earrings and bracelet be sold in addition as a full set for $1200. Shells featured are Akala Pua Kahelelani sewn Poe Poe with sections of A Grade South Sea Golden Pearl. Barbara and 22kauai - thanks for Spouting Horn, it's now on the list! (10% off), Sale Price $1,350.00 Ni'ihau is a private island with a population of 160, mostly of pure Native Hawaiian descent.