The Princeville Moʻolelo free lecture series will continue on Tuesday, November 17th with Linda Paik Moriarty. “Niʻihau Shell Leis”, published in 1986, was the first book to document this unique and enduring Hawaiian art. Niʻihau, 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. It features three generations of lei makers as well as the history and evolution of the Niʻihau shell lei from the time of Captain James Cookʻs third voyage to today.

Text and photographs describe how their heritage, rich enduring culture, and sweeping landscapes of Niʻihau provide inspiration for the lei makers. Today the shell lei, along with the purity of Niʻihau ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, is what identifies the people of Niʻihau and sets them apart from other Hawaiians. Niʻihau 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 the 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.

Our free talk story event will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:30pm in the Princeville Community Center. For more information, visit http://www.kauairefuges.org/princeville-moolelo.

About the Series: Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges is pleased to partner with the Princeville at Hanalei Community Association Events Committee to present this engaging series. Together, they are presenting free informative “talk story” events monthly in the Princeville Community Center to share the work and stories of conservation partners, Hawaiian cultural practitioners and more.

About Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges: Kīlauea Point Natural History Association, now doing business as “Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges,” serves as a 501(c)(3) non-profit Friends Group that supports the wildlife conservation, education, and historic preservation work of the Kauaʻi National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes Kīlauea Point, Hanalei and Hulēʻia NWRs. With donations, plus proceeds from Nature Store operations, the organization supports visitor education, provides rehabilitative care for sick or injured native Hawaiian birds, volunteer training, special events, equipment for wildlife habitat maintenance and restoration, free bussing for school field trips to a refuge, awards annual scholarships for college students pursuing environmental studies and more. For additional information, visit http://www.kauairefuges.org and follow on social media at @fkwrkauai.

Contact: Thomas Daubert, 808.828.0384 ext. 1, thomas@kilaueapoint.org