What is a pupu shell?
The Hawaiian island of Ni’hau recognizes pupu (tiny seashells) as the official island lei material (also called pä pä, kahelelani, momi, and laiki).
How do I identify my NI IUU shell?
Shells are generally identified by first indicating the kind of shell, such as kahelelani, momi, lāiki, etc., and then adding any qualifying terms, usually relating to color. Common colors are ke’oke’o (white), ‘ākala (pink), lenalena (yellow), and ‘ōma’oma’o (green).
Why are Niihau shells so expensive?
What makes a Niihau shell lei so valuable? While the physical state of each shell is the biggest contribution to the price, the tedious work put into making the lei is a priceless process.
What is a Momi shell?
❦ Momi (“pearl”) shells from the Island of Niʻihau are used in the beautiful & intricate Niʻihau shell leis. Although some of these shells do wash up on other islands, those from the Island of Niʻihau are superior — and only shells actually collected on Niʻihau Island can legally be labelled as Niʻihau shells or leis.
What’s in a Chinese poo poo platter?
A typical pupu platter, as found in American Chinese cuisine, might include an egg roll, spare ribs, chicken wings, chicken fingers, beef teriyaki, skewered beef, fried wontons, fried shrimp, crab rangoon and things of that nature, accompanied by a small hibachi grill.
Where do Niihau shells come from?
The rare and highly valued shells (kahelelani, laiki, momi, and kamoa), are found on the beaches of Ni’ihau and crafted by the island’s residents into various styles of lei, earrings, and bracelets, equaling one of Polynesia’s most precious art forms.
Are Niihau shells rare?
These shells are very unique, and they are found only on the island of Ni’ihau. The Ni’ihau shell lei are extremely valuable because of the painstaking detail and amount of work that goes into finding the shells, sorting, and organizing them, then stringing them delicately in intricate, decorative patterns.
How do you get invited to Niihau?
Access to Niihau is very limited and goes mostly by invitiation only, which means that you can visit it if a Niihau resident or a member of the Robinson family invites you. However, there is a helicopter tour company, Niihau Helicopters, Inc., that offers half-day tours to Niihau.
What is Niihau shell?
Niihau Shells. Glowing like pearls the garlands are made of the most precious, and almost priceless, shell in the world, Pupu O Ni’ihau. The gem-like shells can be as tiny as the head of a pin and can only be found on the beaches of Hawaii’s private island.
Where can I find Kahelelani shells?
The Kahelelani shell is the most sought after of the rare Niihau and Kauaian shells. It is the smallest and therefore the most difficult to collect and sew….The best Beaches to collect Kahelelani:
- Beaches on the North shore of Kauai.
- Anini Beach.
- Tunnels Beach.
- Hanalei Beach.
What does pu pu mean in Chinese?
: an Asian dish served as an appetizer or main course and consisting of a variety of foods (such as egg rolls, spareribs, and fried shrimp) pupu platter.
Why is it called a pu pu platter?
The term pu pu platter originated in Hawaii, though the dish gained popularity in 1950’s American-Chinese cuisine. Hawaii is where the pu pu platter first took shape. The Hawaiian word pū pū is the native word for “snail,” though it also refers to hors d-oeuvres.
What is Pupu O Ni’ihau?
For more than a hundred years royal persons, the queens and princesses of Hawaii have been depicted in paintings and photos with jewels draped around their necks, often reaching to their fingertips. Glowing like pearls the garlands are made of the most precious, and almost priceless, shell in the world, Pupu O Ni’ihau.
Where can you find Niihau shells?
The gem-like shells can be as tiny as the head of a pin and can only be found on the beaches of Hawaii’s private island. Niihau Shells. Photo: Star-Advertiser.
What kind of berries are purple in Hawaii?
Kauai – Purple – Mokihana berry Then comes Kauai, its color is purple, the color of the flowers on the fragrant Mokihana Tree. Berries on the tree have been used for centuries as perfume and air-fresheners.