36” Five Strand Lei Kipona

This five-strand, 36-inch lei(opera length necklace) is crafted from Puka shells, which is uniquely found on the island of Niihau. The shells are pure white with sections showcasing various shades of Kahelelani—extremely rare shells that boast colors ranging from dark pink and brown to yellow, and what we describe as a greenish-gray. This piece was handmade meticulously created, requiring over 2000 hours of labor for everything from selecting the shells to stringing them and making the holes. This particular style of lei is quite rare, as only a few exist, with only three lei like this one found in Hawaii. All pieces are made with love and passion by my family members who are from Niihau.