Shell Colors
According to Ilei Beniamina, here are the Hawaiian names for the different color variations you may find in a Ni'ihau lei.
Momi Colors
Kahelelani Colors
Laiki Colors
white
Finishing Shells
Puka
Shell Colors
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According to Ilei Beniamina, here are the Hawaiian names for the different color variations you may find in a Ni'ihau lei.
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Momi Colors
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| ke'oke'o | white |
| ke'oke'o waha 'ula'ula | white with red spot on tip |
| ke'oke'o waha 'ele'ele | white with black spot on tip |
| kua'ula | off white |
| kua'ula waha 'ula'ula | off white with red spot on tip |
| kua'ula waha 'ele'ele | off white with black spot on tip |
| lenalena | yellow |
| lenalena 'ahiehie | light yellow |
| lenalena maika'i | medium yellow |
| lenalena ikaika | bright yellow |
| 'onikiniki | spotted |
| 'onikiniki 'ahiehie | light spots |
| 'onikiniki maika'i | medium spots |
| 'onikiniki ikaika | dark spots |
| ulliuli | blue gray |
| ulliuli 'ahiehie | light blue gray |
| ulliuli maika'i | medium blue gray |
| ulliuli ikaika | dark blue gray (rare) |
| kahakaha | striped |
| kahakaha 'ahiehie | light stripes |
| kahakaha maika'i | medium stripes |
| kahakaha - ikaika | dark stripes (rare) |
Kahelelani Colors
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| 'ula'ula | Red (burgundy) |
| maku'e | Brown |
| maku'e pua | Brown flower |
| 'ele'ele | Black |
| 'oma'oma'o | Green |
| 'oma'oma'o ikaika | Strong green |
| 'oma'oma'o pua | Green flower |
| 'akala | Pink |
| 'akala wai | Water pink |
| 'akala pua | Pink flower |
| 'akala waipapipi | Hot Pink |
| ke'oke'o | White |
| ke'oke'o akala | Pinkish white |
| lenalena | Yellow |
| kamoa | Brown yellow |
| halili | Bright yellow |
| kamoa ili alani | Orange |
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Laiki Colors
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| ke'oke'o | white |
| kua'ula | off white |
| lenalena | yellow |
| Cowrie Shells | |
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| Poleholeho ‘apu’upu’u |
Bumpy cowrie white |
| Poleholeho ‘akala | Cowrie pink |
| Poleholeho ‘ele’ele | Cowrie black |
| Poleholeho lenalena | Cowrie yellow |
| Poleholeho ‘opule | Varigated cowrie |
Finishing Shells
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Puka |
May be white or blue |
| Kauno'o | Variegated sundial. More commonly used before 1970. |
