Passionate about shells and fascinated with the concept of a closed society on a remote island, I began, over 24 years ago, collecting the works of the families of Niʻihau.  The perfection of work, the intricacies of design and the rarity of the shells drew me in.  Meeting the lei makers and their families, created in me, great interest in supporting their community.  It is getting more and more difficult to procure new pieces given that currently there are fewer than 80 people living on the island, many of them elderly.  When I began collecting there were over 250 residents.  In the old days, there were thousands of native Hawaiians living on Ni’ihau. 

This section primarily features the Ni’ihau lei that have come and gone through my collection.   A few pieces are Kauai shell lei.  Some of the pieces are available, or I have similar pieces.  You are welcome to inquire.