The Process of Making a real Kahelelani (Niihau) Shell Lei from Start to Finish on Kauai, Hawaii

There’s one special art form that You will only find in the Hawaiian Islands and that is Niihau Shell Lei Making. The Niihau Shell or Kahelelani can only be found on a few Hawaiian Islands and nowhere else in the World. It is Tiny, Shiny and comes in various different colors, some more rare then others.
This is perhaps why it is the only Shell that is classified as a gemstone.
In Season, You can pick these shells of tiny sea snails that live in the reefs and after many visits to the beach, You may
gather enough shells to string a Shell Lei.
In this video, I document the process of making a simple but beautiful One Strand Maunaloa Bracelet out of Kauai Kahelelani Shells.
Enjoy and thank You for Watching🌸
If You’re interested in my Shell Lei Creations,
Find Me on Etsy at:
www.etsy.com/s...
The music for this Video was Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar preformed by: Keola Beamer, “Kalena Kai”

[@charis808]

Mahalo nō for this

[@elyselauthier]

so beautiful! thank you for sharing :) what string are you using?

[@travelwithkokoleka8080]

Thank You. It’s PowerPro line, 50lb white. The best for stringing Niihau Shell leis.

[@piilani1]

Where do you find those little sifters?

[@travelwithkokoleka8080]

Hi Piilani, it’s called a “Diamond Sieve” - a tool for sizing diamonds. Gotta order online.

[@marcycravat7612]

Do you teach in person on Kauai?

[@travelwithkokoleka8080]

Hi Marcy,
Yes I do from time to time.
Let me know by email what kind of shells you have to work with and what kind of leis are you interested in making.
[e-mail]
Aloha!

[@islandskysara]

​@@travelwithkokoleka8080 does this opportunity still exist for teaching?