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Shell Leis
'Awa, papale pake
Pupu 'awa, according to Pukui and Elbert, is the name for other shells.
The name means, sour, bitter, or poisonous. Papale pake is a more recent
name meaning Chinese hat.
A number of cowries are used by
Ni'ihau lei maker. Most often they are used for the clasps on the
necklaces. Sometimes they are strung up into leis with the thread being held in
place through their apertures with a stuffing of cotton and glue. According to
Pukui and Elbert, leho is the general name for cowry shell. On Ni'ihau
poleho or poleholeho is a small sized cowry. Poleho is also used to
indicate a dark or burnt color.
Reference: Ka Lei, The
Leis of Hawaii by Marie A. McDonald
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