Hawaiian Trading Post

There’s plenty of junk in this souvenir-oriented shop, but it also sells one-of-a-kind Niihau shell leis made by the women living on the “Forbidden Island” of Niihau, just offshore from Kauai. The island is inhabited by pure blood Hawaiians only; no one else is allowed even to visit. The local men make a living by raising cattle, and the women gather shells on the beach to fashion the necklaces. Most beautiful are the leis made with the smallest shells of white or gold. Some are very intricate and can take years to make. Needless to say, they are quite expensive. The Hawaiian Trading Post has some lower-end necklaces on display; to see the best inventory, ask to see the back stock.