Apr 10, 2008 a rare glimpse into life on niihau, hawaiis forbidden island april 10, 2008 by genevive bjorn this story was 12 years in the making and traces the last leg of my journey from newcomer in hawaii, here for the sunshine, to insider with a deep and abiding love for the islands and its people. Niihau shell lei at na mea hawaii native books duration. Nov 24, 20 origins of the niihau shell lei have been lost over the years, but there is evidence of its existence dating back to when captain james cook first arrived in hawaii in 1778. A master artisan may take years to craft a multistrand niihau shell lei like the ones pictured here, with much of that time spent combing beaches for the desired colors and sizes. Private collection of rare niihau shell lei on display at. Here is a blurb about the law pertaining to niihau shell leis.
Linda lingle signed into law yesterday, niihau shell leis will receive much the same protection as is given kona coffee and other hawaiimade products. Pupu o niihau niihau shell leis on kauai as far as i know, their leis are authentic, and in fact there is a law on the books here that you cannot advertise niihau shell leis unless they are actually from niihau. My mom picked this up while vacationing with my dad in kauai in 1969. Every winter, storm waves crash onto the coast of hawaiis forbidden island, niihau. Why nihau is named the forbidden island all about niihau. Niihau shell leis direct to you from the island of niihau comes this beautiful niihau shell jewelry ranging in styles from casual to very dressy. As a collector of the forbidden island shell necklaces, this book is indispensable and so enjoyable to learn how this vanishing craft was done. However, the term generally refers to three different shells that are commonly used to make niihau shell lei. Extremely rare and found only in one place in the world, these tiny, delicate niihau shells form this lovely and extra long necklace. Niihau shell lei hawaiian luxury at its best oahu hawaii. See more ideas about shells, hawaiian crafts and shell jewelry. Niihau shell lei appraisal and repair na mea hawai. Kahelelani are the tiniest and most prized of the shells used to create hawaiian shell leis.
The art of lei making has been passed down for many generations. With large 710mm a grade tahitian pearls this represents a certifiable niihau shell lei with the fashionable compliment of pearls. Authentic niihau shell lei custom shell jewelry fine. For a rare and valuable souvenir, niihau jewelry is the perfect thing. See more ideas about shells, shell jewelry and hawaiian jewelry. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Niihau shell leis although some common shells can be found on other islands, the shells from niihau have a characteristic luster not found in the other shells. Kawaihoa was banished to the southern point of the island. Remember kauai has 37 years of experience as a specialist in niihau shell leis, bracelets and earrings.
Pricing for shell lei are determined by the colors and types of shells. Two decades earlier, wilkes reports that were around 1,000 people living on the island sometime between 18381842, so im assuming that gay is referring to the late 18th, possibly early 19th century. August 11, 1989, hilo hawaii part 5 of administration of native hawaiian home lands. 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. Get a glimpse of niihau, hawaiis forbidden island the. Aloha kahelelani the finest quality hawaiian shell jewelry. Shell leis of niihau f first edition used by not available 5. The niihau shell lei is a special hawaiian necklace made from rare shells that can only be found on the island of niihau. Imagine a privately owned island where there are fewer than 200 peoplemostly hawaiians. Kahelelani niihau shell lei, hawaii state art museum i. Niihau shell leis by linda paik moriarty, hardcover barnes. They have been used for centuries by the native people of these islands.
Niihau shell experts to confirm lei authenticity pacific. As a collector of the forbidden island shell necklaces, this book is. Another beloved alii in the history of niihau was kaeo who was responsible for uniting the island after defeating the warlike kawaihoa. But it is rich with history, and is an important part of hawaiian culture. Niihau students at ke kula niihau o kekaha learned photography and video production in a special class taught by jim lucas.
Hawaiian and asian works are featured, but all kinds of subject matter is offered as well. It came with a certificate of authenticity and the name of the artisan that created it. Vast quantities of empty, miniature seasnail shells are hurled shoreward by the waves and wash up on certain beaches. Many of our guests on our na pali coast tours are quick to point out an island off the west coast of kauai with curiosity. Hawaiian 100% niihau shell 32 designer kipona lei ebay. Costs to be determined at the time of appointment based on condition of niihau shells. Niihau, hawaii links to a very interesting article about the history of the forbidden.
This incredibly popular and beautiful jewelry composed of the tiny shells that populate the beaches of niihau can be yours to commemorate andor experience some of the niihau aloha from this beautiful. Niihau shell lei showcase sometime in the longforgotten past of the island of niihau, the first shell lei was likely made of colorful shells gathered on a nearby beach and strung on a single strand of twine made of an organic material available on the island. Stop in na mea hawaii on saturday april 18, 2015 from 10 am 1pm to have your niihau shell lei appraisal or simply repair or restring for many generations to enjoy. But besides the smaller islands of molokai and lanai, which together with maui comprise maui county, hawaii is also home to niihauthe westernmost island in the archipelago and perhaps one of the most mysterious places on earth lying less than twenty miles off the. Niihau shell lei at na mea hawaii native books youtube. Mostly used books many outofprintnew volumes are included occasionallyalong with some collectibles. Vintage rare niihau shell pikake style necklace lei, price. It takes you back to early history and brings you forward in time with an abundance of information to enlighten your journeys path. It is because of the efforts of the niihau people that niihau shells are highly sought after and valued as such. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Niihau island, known as the forbidden island, is one of the most mysterious of all the hawaiian islands, with a unique history and longstanding independence. To see a museumtype collection of niihau shell work, visit the hawaiian trading company in lawai, visible from highway 50.
While some shells and shell colors are more common and easy to find, there are other varieties that are extremely rare and a lei that includes these particular shells will jump in price significantly. They come in an amazing array of colors and can be woven into the most beautiful adornments. This is a 36inch long, triple strand, niihau shell lei. For more than a hundred years royal persons, the queens and princesses of hawaii have been depicted in paintings and photos with jewels draped around their necks, often reaching to their fingertips. The island is like a living time capsule where hawaiian traditions are the norm. The best book on niihau jewelry is niihau shell leis, by linda paik moriarty, published by the university of hawaii press. Over 80% by count niihau shells, this piece is a high fashion statement. This beautiful 27 lei is sewn with golden and dark brown poleho shells. Niihau shell experts to confirm lei authenticity kauai news.
The story of puka shell jewelry in the hawaiian islands. Niihau shell lei precious shells handpicked from hawaiian. The smallest of the populated hawaiian islands, niihau has an area of 70 square miles 180 square km. If a lei is not 100 percent made from niihau shells, then the pending bill would prohibit it from being labeled as a niihau shell. Vintage rare niihau shell pikake style necklace lei. Glowing like pearls the garlands are made of the most precious, and almost priceless, shell in the world, pupu o niihau. This book is the first to document the development of this unique hawaiian art and the rich variety of traditional and modern styles of niihau shell lei making. Niihau shells can be used to make earrings, bracelets and other types of jewelry, as well. Lei made from tiny, colorful shells carried by surf onto the beaches of the island of niihau are among the most prized in the world. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. This video shows some behindthescenes shots of their filming of awapuhi kahale, a niihau artisan in the schools recording studio. Some elaborate niihau shell leis are valued at thousands of dollars. Aunty pam dow and her wonderful lei designers paid a visit to na mea hawaii native books to perform niihau shell lei restoration and stringing.
If you bought a niihau shell lei, where did you purchase. One day a woman from niihau brought several leis, some that looped down to her waist, and explained that the leis tell the history of her people. Niihau shell leis linda paik moriarty hawaiian seashells. Niihau lies 17 miles 27 km southwest of kauai island. Unlike the other hawaiian islands where flower lei are the norm, niihau focuses on shell lei because of its dry, arid climate. I was astonished by the leis beauty, the tiny colorful shells and her thick fingers. Museumquality niihau shell leis, the most luxurious of the permanent lei styles, are available at kauai heritage center of hawaiian. Buy niihau shell leis by linda paik moriarty online at alibris. Species used for shell leis includes momi euplica varians, laiki or rice shells mitrella margarita and kahelelani leptothyra verruca. A full day of scouring the beach may only result in half a dozen usable shells.
Niihau shell leis by rob arita welcome to aloha kahelelani. Niihau shell leis kolowalu books linda paik moriarty on. Niihau has been privately owned for over 150 years, and access to the island by outsiders is limited. This isolation has led to the preservation of the niihau dialect, as well as many rich cultural traditions, such as crafting traditional shell lei. Niihau shell leis can take years to make, as they are hand strung of thousands of shells, which may take years. Aloha plumeria, well, its 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. They live in the old hawaiian way without tvs, radios, modern appliances, speak mostly hawaiian and are essentially isolated from the rest of the world except for. May 03, 2004 the niihau shell authenticators will be at bishop museum on may 17 and 18, and at native books na mea hawaii at ward warehouse from may 19 to 23.
Today, the niihau shell lei have become a symbol of hawaiian elegance worn by both men and women. Kahelelani niihau shell lei, hawaii state art museum ii. A look at hawaiis truly remote islands, niihau and kahoolawe. Dec 19, 2010 aunty pam dow and her wonderful lei designers paid a visit to na mea hawaii native books to perform niihau shell lei restoration and stringing. If i were a history teacher, id be sure to include this story in my unit on world war ii. Joint hearings before the select committee on indian affairs, united states senate, and the committee on interior and insular affairs, house of representatives, one hundred first congress, first session, on oversight hearing on the administration of native. A fascinating history and catalog, with construction techniques of hawaiian shell leis. Legally, this term refers only to shells actually gathered on the shores of the forbidden island.
Dow believes the leis are worthy of the same protections as other hawaii products, including kona coffee. This incredibly popular and beautiful jewelry composed of the tiny shells that populate the beaches of niihau can be yours to commemorate andor experience some of the niihau aloha from this beautiful island. Gay writes according to oral history that 5,000 people were living on niihau prior to 1864, but he doesnt specify an exact date. Niihau shell leis by linda paik moriarty, hardcover. Discusses the history of the traditional hawaiian necklaces made of seashells and explains how the necklaces are made. Because these shells have a variety of colors and markings.
The color of the shells is pinker than seen in these photos i shot this outside. A single lei requires hundreds of tiny shells, this time consuming work and rarity of the shells make niihau shell leis very expensive and has become an important source of revenue for residents of the island. Until today the island is often called niihau a kahelelani, and his name is also used for the famous kahelelani shells which are used in making niihau shell lei. See more ideas about hawaiian, shells and aloha hawaii. A look at hawaiis truly remote islands, niihau and kaho. Based in hawaii, there is a special emphasis on hawaiiana as well as other ethnic writings. Add to that equation the fact that the shells wash up on shore. The practice has evolved over the centuries into a fine art and is now so valuable both culturally and economically to the people of niihau that the craft is protected by law. With an official notary, niihau shells can be evaluated based on its strain and style of stringing. All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the creative commons cc0 license. Niihau shells are one of the most priced art forms of the hawaiian culture because the practice has been done for hundreds of years dating prewestern contact. Shells niihau shell leis hardcover by linda paik moriarty.
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