Hawaii’s most recognized tradition is that of leis. The island of Ni’ihau has an arid atmosphere, lacking the rain necessary for the flowers natives favored for this purpose. Shells became an ingenious replacement for those blossoms.
Shells have been collected and strung into leis to adorn royalty and to be worn at special ceremonies such as weddings and funerals. They were given to the deceased as a final Aloha to their loved ones. Now they are donned for every occasion as a constant reminder of nature’s beauty.
