Private Collection

  

We are pleased to be able to share with you pictures of the family leis of Ileialoha Beniamina, a Ni'ihau native and one of our partners. These leis were made by family members or given to the family by loving friends and relatives and have been passed down through the generations.


Today they are worn for special events, and exhibited on occasion.


These are some of the most spectacular examples of the artistry of the people of Ni'ihau. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

 

Lei Heliconia

Each strand of the Lei Heliconia is made with a different color of Kahelelani. The Kahelelani melemele, 'ula'ula, waipapipi, and maku'e are tied with the Momi ke'oke'o shells. The top part of each Momi strand is tied poepoe style.
 
 

Lei Kahelelani Kui Pololei

This five strand Kahelelani lei is made with five different colors of Kahelelani: maku'e, oma'oma'o, 'akala pua, 'akala ikaika, and kamoa. It is finished with a poleho, or cowrie shell.
   
 

Lei Kahelelani Poepoe

This Poepoe lei is made with a mixture of different colors of Kahelelani shells. It is strung in the poepoe, or circular style. The lei maker took special care when designing the pattern so the shells appear to spiral through the lei.
   
 

Mutli-style Lei

This lei is affectionately known as "The sample lei". We all love and covet it for our personal collections. It contains all the colors of Kahelelani and Momi shells, and shows the different ways of stringing: Pikake, Poepoe, and Kui Pololei.
   
Other privately owned leis
 
As we continue to work with NI'ihau families, we occasionally come across a lei which is so unique that we acquire them for our private collections. we share some of these beautiful leis with you below. We are constantly amazed at the creativity of the lei makers and what incredible work they do.
 

Blue Double Pikake

Our hearts almost stopped when we saw this wonderful lei. Made entirely of medium blue Momi shells, it looks almost gray in color. It took 4 years to collect the shells in this lei.
   
The picture to the right shows the difference in color between the blue Momi and the white.
   

10 strand Kahelelani

This lei was custom made in 2003. It is 10 strands of Kahelelani akala pua, with small patterns of Kahelelani 'oma'oma'o for contrast. A georgeous lei. Notice the use of slightly reddish yellow bumpy cowrie. In this case, a white cowrie would be too harsh. A great example of balancing the lei.

   

Triple Strand Heliconia

A breathtaking lei, this 36 inch triple heliconia lei is srung wih Momi ke'oke'o and Kahelelani 'ulaula.
   

Triple Strand Onikiniki

This is another variation on the triple strand Momi Lei, using only Onikiniki shells.

   

Triple Strand Multi Color

Another triple strand Momi, showing three different shell colors: Yellow, Blue and Onikiniki.
   
Here's a close up of the different colors:
   

5 Strand Lu Momi

A long lei, this 5 strand uses pure white Momi shells and is more than 45 inches long. The shells are pierced similarly to the way used for Pikake style leis
   

Short Multi Color Heliconia

This lei showcases the variety ofKahelelani colors available. It utilizes Momi ke'oke'o, with Kahelelani Waipapipi, Kamoa, and Ulaula.
   

Triple Kipona

This is our favorite lei, affectionately named "Monster", due to the huge number of Blue Momi and the variety of Kahelelani colors. This lei contains every shade of Kahelelani.
   

4 Strand Kahakaha Momi Kipona

This is a recent acquisition, and will require some repair before it's ready to wear, as one strand is broken. This lei was made prior to 1960, using the long Kahakaha shells, and has the Kauno'o or sundial shell finishing each side.
 
 
 
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