Home > Other Products > Ni`ihau shell leis by Kele Kanahele.

The Kaua`i Sunset with Ni`ihau off in the distance.

The Kanahele & Kelly `ohana of Ni`ihau is the most respected name in art of Ni`ihau shell leis in Hawaii and around the world. Starting many years ago, Tutu Kele was one of the pioneers of all the many styles of Ni`ihau shell leis as we know them today. Some of the first Ni`ihau shell leis were made with the momi shell, and made in the laiki and pikake style. Tutu Kele (or Mama Kelly) had taken her "new", lei pupu `O Ni`ihau to a Kaua`i general store to try to sell (during war time early 1940's). She finally got one of the storekeepers to accept her leis to sell, and they sold for about $30.00 each. The same leis today would sell from $2,000.00 to $3,000.00 depending on the length and quantity of strands!

History of the Ni`ihau shell leis as we know them today, we give thanks to the Kanahele `Ohana. Much of the work that I speak of, the information, comes from the Kanahele `Ohana of Ni`ihau and 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. 

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 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.  We are accepting 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 dated November 29, 2006. 

The Kanahele & Kelly `Ohana (family) are considered Masters of the art of Ni`ihau shell lei making.  Kele Kanahele is considered a Master  within the Ni`ihau shell lei making community and the public.  The leis that are offered to you in display are all made by this Master.  The Kanahele `Ohana are pure Hawaiian and have lived on the island of Ni`ihau for generations.  To this date, the everyday work of many of the family members is collecting shells.  This work is done daily for may hours under the intense hot sun of the Hawaiian islands.  From generation to generation, the Kanahele `Ohana were each taught how to collect shells, how to store the shells, the steps to get from start to finish of the methods of this art, then it is passed down to the new generation of the `Ohana.  If you are going to purchase a luxury car, you are going to purchase what you think is the best in the world.  To you maybe a Mercedes, Lexus, Rolls Royce or other.  If you are going to purchase an authentic Ni`ihau shell lei considered to be the best, you are going to one made by this `Ohana.

There are differences in shell leis that are considered "Authentic" Ni`ihau shell leis and what are also called "Ni`ihau style shell leis".  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 leis made in Hawai`i are surpassed by none, it is not to say that shell leis 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 made by this Master, Kele Kanahele, comes with a verifiable certificate of authenticity 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 leis shown below can in fact be ordered and received immediately if they are on hand.  Each lei made by Kele Kanahele 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 an authentic, documented, verifiable, on 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.

There will be new pictures displayed this Summer that are more clear than what are present.  I apologize for the blur.  More selection will also be available to view.  Private showings are available upon request with prior criteria met.

Lei Pupu `O Ni`ihau

Shown below is the "Queen" of the momi shells.  This is a 3 strand, 36" lei pikake kahakaha (honey gold).  This momi shell is the rarest of the colors to find.  The color is a rich, full golden honey color that is exquisite.  A rare lei to see and to own.  This is a top shelf lei for your treasure box.  Isn't it time to treat yourself?

                       Price 3 strand: $25,000

                                                                  Price 5 strand:  $40,000

Shown below is 3 strand, 45" lei momi kipona done in the pikake style.  This lei has the momi uliuli (blue), momi kahakaha (honey gold, rarest color of the momi), momi lenalena kula (light yellow) and momi onikiniki (white with black specs).  Just a beautiful piece of art of Old Hawai`i.

                              Price:  $25,000

Shown below is the elegant lei pikake momi okeokeo, the Wedding Lei.  This lei pikake is a 5 strand, 52" lei and is beautiful.

                                Price:  $12,000.00

Shown below is a beautiful 3 strand, 36" lei kipona.  The word kipona means mixed, thus the different colors and shells.  This lei uses the momi uliuli (blue) and a variety of colors of the kahelelani. 

Shown below is a beautiful 3 strand, 30" lei kipona.  This lei uses the momi uliuli (blue) and a variety of colors of the kahelelani. 

Shown below is  single strand, 45" lei kipona.  This lei uses the momi uliuli (blue) and a variety of colors of the kahelelani. 

Shown below is a 3 strand, 36" lei pikake.  Pikake is the style of the tie of the shells.  This lei is made with the momi uliuli, okeokeo and onikiniki.

More information of these leis above will be available soon.  Aloha!

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