Linda Paik Moriarty’s Ni‘ihau Shell Leis, published in 1986, was the first book to document this unique and enduring Hawaiian art. Ni‘ihau, the privately owned and least populated of the Hawaiian Islands, was traditionally known for fine woven mats and decorated gourds. Lei pūpū, the tradition of fashioning lei of tiny shells from the island’s pristine beaches, is now its most celebrated and cherished art form, passed from one generation to the next.
With all-new photographs by Shuzo Uemoto, Lei Ni‘ihau: Shell Lei of Ni‘ihau is a stunning update of the 1986 work. It features three generations of lei makers as well as the history and evolution of the Ni‘ihau shell lei from the time of Captain James Cook’s third voyage to today. Text and photographs describe how their heritage, rich enduring culture, and sweeping landscapes of Ni‘ihau provide inspiration for the lei makers.
Today the shell lei, along with the purity of Ni‘ihau ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i, is what identifies the people of Ni‘ihau and sets them apart from other Hawaiians. Ni‘ihau shell lei have evolved from personal and group expressions of aloha to a fine art recognized globally, as they are worn and treasured by Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike. The artistry of generations of lei makers stems from the strength of family and community, their deep spiritual beliefs, and the value of the lei. Nowhere else in the world are seashells fashioned into garlands held in such esteem.
