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Pupu is the general name for
all shells. It is usually followed by one or more specific,
descriptive names. Example: pupu momi ke'oke'o, white,
pear shell.
Kamoa ('alilea)
The very young, small turbos
are used in leis or the larger ones are cut down with fingernail
cutters until only the yellow tip of the spire is left. These
spire tips are strung through a hole that is punched out through the
stop. Leis of only these spire tips are rare and
unbelievable. Usually pupu kamoa is used to add interest to leis
of other shells. The spire tips resemble the yellow spores of
the primitive plant called moa, thus the name, kamoa.
Reference: Ka Lei, The
Leis of Hawaii by Marie A. McDonald
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