Niʻihau Collectors’ Lei, 56″ 3-Strand Kipona

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Strung in both the Pikake and Mauna Loa weaves, this exquisite lei is made with a rich variety of shells from Niʻihau. The Kahelelani (turban shells) featured are ʻākala pua (flower pink), ʻākala wai pāpipi (hotpink), ʻeleʻele (black), kāmoa lenalena (large yellow), and kāmoa keʻokeʻo (large white). The Momi (dove shells) featured are ʻōnikiniki ʻeleʻele (spotted black), lenalena ʻāhiehie (light yellow), lenalena waha ʻeleʻele (yellow with black tips), lenalena kahakaha (yellow striped), and rare kahakaha ikaika (striped dark) and ulilui ikaika (dark gray). The central area of the lei features unusual lāiki ʻonikiniki ikaika ʻāpuʻupuʻu.

Finished with a beautiful pōleholeho ʻāpuʻupuʻu (cowrie shell, bumpy) and two kaunoʻo ʻeleʻele (sundial shells, black).

In stock

Medium: Niʻihau Shell
Size: 56 in

$18,000.00

Description

Niʻihau Collectors’ Lei, 56″ 3-Strand Kipona. Crafted by master artisan Corey Karleen.

About The Artist ~ Corey’s Story

As a small child, I could walk out of my house – right onto Haena Beach – and delve into an amazing world of beautiful shells. Hearing the story of Ni’ihau shells when I was 8 years old, I focused on their cousin shells from Kaua’i and started to tediously pick these very small specimens, making my first rustic lei when I was just 10. But ages 16 through 21 were the years I became a competent lei maker.

For love, I moved to the mainland for 10 years and, upon my return, continued studying the art of shell lei through my favorite childhood book, Ni’ihau Shell Leis by Linda Park. I was truly inspired to make the leis in the book and could feel the passion running through my blood, and deep in my soul. I told myself I would do whatever it takes to carry on this amazing tradition. I hope that, when looking at this art, other people feel the same sense of awe that inspired me to create my leis.

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