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Gold, the Ni`ihau Shell Lei (Lei Pūpū `o Ni`ihau)
The Kaua`i Sunset with
Ni`ihau off in the distance.
History of the Ni`ihau shell lei as we know them today, is
referred to by books, Ni`ihau Shell Leis, by Linda Paik Moriarty and Pupu `o Ni`ihau (Shell Leis of Ni`ihau),
by Linda Paik Moriarty and the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
This book makes much information available of its history
dating back from visits of Captain Cook in the late 1770's, to
current example of lei of the 20th century
You can own
a piece of Old Hawaiian History.
It has been brought to me (by a friend who is the rightful
owner of this lei through his family), and I have been asked
to seek out a new home (`ohana) for this Hawaiian treasure.
Shown below are pictures of an original lei pupu `o Ni`ihau
made by Tutu Kele herself. This has been verified by
Kele Kanahele (grandson and master Ni`ihau shell lei maker),
who was one of the last `ohana to learn from her.
This lei is authentic and carries a
Certificate of Authenticity with the replacement value of $35,000.
The style of the lei is called
lei kui pololei, or sewn straight. This is also know as
the single or Old Fashioned style. It is 17.5 inches
long (19.5 including the cowry shell) with 6 strands, colors
are 3 strands kamoa (yellow), and 3 strands of `ula`ula (red),
all of the kahelelani shell (Leptothyra veruca). The
exact age of this lei is unknown. According to Kele
Kanahele, his Grandmother made it in the 1940's, maybe early
1950's. This lei was originally purchased by Florence
Klammer (the Great Aunt of the owner of this lei) at the
Bishop Museum in the 1950's. Florence Klammer lived on
Mc Kinnley Street in Honolulu, working at the state library
from the early 1920's until she retired in 1966. She
died in Honolulu in 1980. The lei was found in the
original box, never worn, which was given to her younger
sister, and now to her son. I
will accept all valid and reasonable offers for the purchase
of this beautiful lei. You can contact me via
the contact page with your offer, and with any questions you
may have. I will contact you within the next day with a
response. This presentation is
available as of September 2008.
There are
differences in shell lei that are considered
"Authentic"
Ni`ihau shell lei and what are also called "Ni`ihau
style shell lei". There are different but same family of shells that
are collected on the Hawaiian island Kaua`i that are on Ni`ihau too. Shells like the tiny kahelelani shells in it's
bright colors, the momi shells in all the different patterns
and colors, the ali`ilea shell with it's golden stripes around
and others. The difference between the shells that are
found on the beaches of the island of Ni`ihau and the shells
that are found on the island of Kaua`i (for example) are, the
shells found on Ni`ihau are of a higher luster and brilliance
of color. Although the style of shell lei made in
Hawai`i are surpassed by none, it is not to say that shell lei
made with similar shells to Ni`ihau are not valuable.
The true art is a value in itself. The quality and
validity of the shells collected on the island of Ni`ihau are
also, a value in itself. Therefore, what is known as the
"Authentic" Ni`ihau shell lei carries greater monetary value
and is insurable.
The law
passed by the Hawai`i State Legislature
says (what I understand it to be) that, if your shells used to
make a Ni`ihau shell lei were collected only on the island of
Ni`ihau, only then can you call it a "Ni`ihau Shell Lei".
Otherwise, you must call your Ni`ihau style lei a "Kaua`i Shell
Lei". This law protects the value of the Ni`ihau
shells that are found only on the island of Ni`ihau, and the
Native Hawaiians that so meticulously carry on this true
island tradition. You should always ask if the shells
(that you are considering) that the lei is made with are Kaua`i
shells or Ni`ihau shells. You would want to know this
information so that you can insure your lei. You will
also want to ask for your certificate of authenticity as well.
I believe that if your Jeweler or Crafter is required to
answer your question honestly. I also understand that a
misrepresentation of the actual shells in any way can lead to
a fine on the person. Just be aware of what you are
purchasing. What you are purchasing should be insurable
if authentic to Ni`ihau.
This information in no way is
meant to downplay the craft and art of shell lei making.
Especially with the tiny shells needed to create these
masterpieces. The value of these style leis are always
going to be very expensive because of the tedious work
involved and the immense time it takes to complete one from
start to finish. This information is provided only in
the spirit of aloha and to help educate people that may not
know enough about preparing to purchase a fine Ni`ihau Shell
Lei.
These shells are not easy to come by. Today, the rules
are the same as they have been for many years. The
island of Ni`ihau is not open to visitors, investors,
collectors or anyone. In order to come to this island,
you need to be a resident of the island of Ni`ihau or have blood
relatives that still live there. If you were native to
this island and decided to move away without blood relatives
still living there, you give up the right to ever return to
Ni`ihau. The Ni`ihau families that do collect shells
pretty much keep them within their families because of their
value. When you see a price of an authentic Ni`ihau
shell lei, the money collected goes back to pay many before
the artist that makes the lei collects a penny.
Each Ni`ihau shell lei,
comes with a verifiable certificate of authenticity (with your
request) which in
itself, is as valuable as the lei. With the certificate
of authenticity, you can insure your "Authentic" Ni`ihau shell
lei for it's full value. The Ni`ihau shell lei
with it's certificate is the only shell that is considered
jewelry and that can be insured. The Hawaiian islands
are a land that has no precious metals or gem stones.
The Hawaiian lands are
it's resources, and a wealth of it's own. The very item of Old Hawai`i that was
considered of great value (such as gems or precious stones) to
the Hawaiian people and were only worn only by the Monarchy was
feather work. Handmade feather capes and cloaks,
feathered helmets (mahiole) and feather leis were all of that.
Since then, the birds that the feathers were collected from
have all been but extinct. When time progressed, the
shells had evolved into the next treasure.
Each of the
Ni`ihau shell lei shownbelow, are available now and on hand (10/01/08).
You can physically see each of these lei at your request.
You can make arrangements to come and see me in California, or
you can make arrangements for me to come to see you. Each
of these lei presented are a one of a kind lei. One of a kind
meaning each lei is made with a different color pattern or
color combination. If you were to order a Ni`ihau shell
lei as shown be it the kipona style, pikake style, laiki style
or identified be the type of momi shell used, your order can
take up to a year to complete. Depending on sources on
hand and rarity of the shells requested will depend on the
time to complete. Either way, you will own a documented, verifiable, one of a kind "Authentic" Ni`ihau shell
lei that you will treasure for a lifetime. Please send
any questions or requests that you might have to me via the
contact page or telephone.
Lei Pūpū `O
Ni`ihau
Authentic Ni`ihau Shell Lei
This Ni`ihau shell lei shown below is a 36", 10 strand
Lei Kahelelani and Kamoa. The Kamoa shell (Turbinadae),
and the Kahelelani shell (Leptothyra Verruca), are tied in the
Maunaloa style. The colors of the shells are lenalena
(yellow), waipāpipi (dark
pink, or hot pink), keokeo (white),
ākala
āhiehie (medium pink),
ōma`oma`o (beige with
green), `ula`ula, ākala pua
(pink), māku`e (brown), `ele`ele (black or dark brown), and
ākala keokeo (medium white). This
Ni`ihau shell lei is breathtaking and considered one of the
finest style lei, lei Maunaloa Kahelelani.
This Ni`ihau shell lei comes with a certificate of
authenticity and appraisal (dated 8/10/01), with its
replacement value of $60,000.00. This Ni`ihau shell lei
is made some of the colors of the Kahelelani shell that are
increasingly difficult to gather in quantity. A present
day appraisal will fetch a higher replacement value due to
these conditions. The current asking price for this
10 strand authentic Ni`ihau shell lei is $35,000.00.
I will entertain all reasonable offers made on this Ni`ihau
shell lei. Please contact me with any questions and
offers at anytime, just click on the contact link for
information.
This Ni`ihau shell lei shown below is a 3
strand, 50" Lei Kipona Kui Pikake and Maunaloa style. The
Kamoa shell (Turbinadae), and the Kahelelani shell (Leptothyra
Verruca) are strung in kipona style (combination of shells and
style on one strand). The vibrant colors of the
Kahelelani are lenalena (yellow), waipāpipi
(dark pink, or hot pink), and
`ele`ele (black or dark brown). The Momi shells used in
this Ni`ihau shell lei are colors Momi uliuli (grayish
blue), Momi lenalena kua`ula (yellow with brown markings), and
the most rare Momi kahakaha (honey gold with light brown
stripes).
This Ni`ihau shell lei comes with a certificate of
authenticity and appraisal (dated 8/10/01), with its
replacement value of $30,000.00. This Ni`ihau shell lei
is made some of the colors of the Kahelelani shell that are
increasingly difficult to gather in quantity. A present
day appraisal will fetch a higher replacement value due to
these conditions. The current asking price for this 3 strand authentic Ni`ihau shell
Lei Kipona kui pikake is $15,000.00.
I will entertain all reasonable offers made on this Ni`ihau
shell lei. Please contact me with any questions and
offers at anytime, just click on the contact link for
information.
This Ni`ihau shell lei shown below is a 3
strand, 40" Lei Kipona Kui Pikake and Maunaloa style. The
Kamoa shell (Turbinadae), and the Kahelelani shell (Leptothyra
Verruca) are strung in kipona style (combination of shells and
style on one strand). The vibrant colors of the
Kahelelani are ākala pua
(pink), māku`e (brown), `ele`ele (black or dark brown).
The Momi shells used in this Ni`ihau shell lei are colors
Momi `ōnikiniki, and Momi
ke`oke`o.
This Ni`ihau shell lei comes with a certificate of
authenticity and appraisal with its
replacement value of $25,000.00. This Ni`ihau shell lei,
a present
day appraisal will fetch a higher replacement value due to
these conditions of certain colors being increasingly hard to
find. The current asking price for this 3 strand authentic Ni`ihau shell
Lei Kipona Kui Pikake is $12,000.00.
I will entertain all reasonable offers made on this Ni`ihau
shell lei. Please contact me with any questions and
offers at anytime, just click on the contact link for
information.
Lei Pūpū `O
Ni`ihau
Authentic Ni`ihau Shell Lei
This Ni`ihau shell lei shown below is an elegant 20
strand, 50" Laiki Wedding Lei, a lei that is beautifully
hand crafted in Hawai`i. This Ni`ihau shell lei is
strung straight with the Laiki shell (Columbella Moleculina),
or the common name "rice" shell because of the shell shape.
This Ni`ihau shell lei worn loose or wound, is a beautiful
adornment and unmistakably Hawaiian.
This Ni`ihau shell lei comes with a certificate of
authenticity and appraisal with its
replacement value of $15,000.00. This Ni`ihau shell lei,
a present
day appraisal will certainly fetch a higher replacement value
due to this lei style, length, and number of strands, as well
as the immense time it takes to complete one of these lei.
The current asking price for this 20 strand authentic Ni`ihau
Lei Laiki is $10,000.00.
I will entertain all reasonable offers made on this Ni`ihau
shell lei. Please contact me with any questions and
offers at anytime, just click on the contact link for
information.
Lei Pūpū `O
Ni`ihau
Authentic Ni`ihau Shell Lei
This Ni`ihau shell lei shown below is the elegant Laiki
Wedding Lei. This is a 15 strand, 30" lei that is
beautifully crafted in Hawai`i. This Ni`ihau shell lei
is strung straight with the Laiki shell (Columbella Moleculina),
or the common name "rice" shell because of the shell shape.
This Ni`ihau shell lei worn loose or wound, is a beautiful
adornment and unmistakably Hawaiian.
This Ni`ihau shell lei does not come with a certificate of
authenticity or appraisal with a replacement value.
The current asking price for this 15 strand authentic Ni`ihau
Laiki Lei is $4,500.00.
I will entertain all reasonable offers made on this Ni`ihau
shell lei. Please contact me with any questions and
offers at anytime, just click on the contact link for
information.
Lei Pūpū `O
Ni`ihau
Authentic Ni`ihau Shell Lei
This Ni`ihau shell lei shown below is a 3 strand, 36"
Lei Momi Pikake ke`oke`o, PURE WHITE in color. These
are beautiful pure white Momi shells that are used in this
Ni`ihau shell lei, with a luster that is as shinny as a
polished pearl. This lei is strung in the Pikake style
and is a treasure.
This Ni`ihau shell lei comes with a certificate of
authenticity and appraisal (dated 8/1/01) with its
replacement value of $7,500.00. This Ni`ihau shell lei,
a present
day appraisal will certainly fetch a higher replacement value
due to the rarity of the pure white Momi shell, and its
increasing value and exceptional quality. The current
asking price for this 3 strand authentic Ni`ihau Lei Momi
Ke`oke`o is $7,500.00.
I will entertain all reasonable offers made on this Ni`ihau
shell lei. Please contact me with any questions and
offers at anytime, just click on the contact link for
information.
Lei Pūpū `O
Ni`ihau
Authentic Ni`ihau Shell Lei
This Ni`ihau shell lei shown below is a 3 strand, 36"
Lei Momi Pikake ke`oke`o. These are beautiful white
Momi shells that are used in this Ni`ihau shell lei, with a
luster that is as shinny. This lei is strung in the
Pikake style and is not pure white, but a beautiful lei as
well.
This Ni`ihau shell lei does not come with a certificate of
authenticity or appraisal with a replacement value.
The current asking price for this 3 strand, 36" authentic
Ni`ihau Lei pikake is $2,500.00.
I will entertain all reasonable offers made on this Ni`ihau
shell lei. Please contact me with any questions and
offers at anytime, just click on the contact link for
information.
