Ni'ihau shells are a variety of endemic species of sea creatures whose shells are picked off the shores of the island of Ni'ihau. Ni'ihau is an island off the southwest coast of Kaua'i. Ni'ihau also goes by the name, The Forbidden Island, because the island is privately owned. 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. It is because of the efforts of the Ni'ihau people that Ni'ihau shells are highly sought after and valued as such.
For more information about the island of Ni'ihau and the art form of hana pūpū, or shell making, visit www.niihauheritage.org.
For a full list of the different varieties of shells considered Ni'ihau shell, visit http://www.niihauheritage.org/shells.htm.
On this page, most piece you see are at least 80% of shells from the island of Ni'ihau, as stated by Hawaii State Law, H.B. No. 2569 and are mostly made by the people of Ni'ihau.
For more information about the island of Ni'ihau and the art form of hana pūpū, or shell making, visit www.niihauheritage.org.
For a full list of the different varieties of shells considered Ni'ihau shell, visit http://www.niihauheritage.org/shells.htm.
On this page, most piece you see are at least 80% of shells from the island of Ni'ihau, as stated by Hawaii State Law, H.B. No. 2569 and are mostly made by the people of Ni'ihau.
Ni'ihau Shell Earrings
Unique Earrings
These earrings may or may not be duplicated in the future. Each earring is unique as there will only be one available at a time. Buy yours now as they may not be available again any time soon.
Ni'ihau Shell Bracelet
None at this time
Ni'ihau Shell Chokers
Ni'ihau Shell Lei
Poleho
Poleho, also named "night cowry", are another type of shell commonly used with Ni'ihau shells. Although, Poleho can be picked on Ni'ihau, our Poleho shells are NOT from Ni'ihau. They are hand picked in Hilo, Hawaii. Poleho can be found on most of the Hawaiian Islands. They are naturally black or burgundy, but by baking the shells, they become a light brown or caramel color.
Some of the pieces below are mixed with shells from Ni'ihau. To keep with accordance with H.B. No. 2569, most of these pieces has less than the minimum requirement to claim as "Containing Ni'ihau shells". Therefore, we do not claim these pieces as Ni'ihau Shells.
Some of the pieces below are mixed with shells from Ni'ihau. To keep with accordance with H.B. No. 2569, most of these pieces has less than the minimum requirement to claim as "Containing Ni'ihau shells". Therefore, we do not claim these pieces as Ni'ihau Shells.
Poleho Earrings
None at this time