The art of Niʻihau shell lei, hailing from the secluded island of Niʻihau in Hawaii, is a testament to the delicate artistry and cultural richness of the Hawaiian people. Rooted in tradition, this practice, dating back to the late 19th century, involves the meticulous gathering and sorting of Niʻihau’s renowned shells, including “pupu o Ni’ihau,” “Kahelelani,” “lāiki” and “momi.”
Artisans of Niihau shell lei carefully select these shells based on their “ko’ele” (size), “alamihi” (color), and “kino” (quality) from specific species of triton, dove and turban shells. Each shell is painstakinglypierced and strung by hand in the traditional fashion. Common colors are ke‘oke‘o (white), ‘ākala (pink), lenalena (yellow), and ‘ōma‘oma‘o (green). Shells may also be sorted for other characteristics such as kahakaha (striped), ‘ōnikiniki (spotted), ‘āpu‘upu‘u (bumpy), and even waha ‘ula‘ula (red mouth).
The value of a lei is also impacted by the availability of certain shells. While the off-white momi shell is extremely common and easy to find, hot-pink and black kahelelani are 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.
Whether you are a serious collector, investor, or connoisseur of beauty and good taste, you will find your Niʻihau shell lei to serve a dual purpose. First, it is a thing of
beauty and may be worn on casual occasions, or more formally for weddings or graduation. Second, it is a real part of Hawaiʻiʻs people, heritage and shores. It will enable you to retain a lasting memory of the spirit of the islands.