Every winter, storm waves crash onto the coast of Hawaii’s
“Forbidden Island,” Niihau supplying abundant quantities of
empty, miniature sea-snail shells which are hurled shoreward by
the waves and wash upon many beaches. Niihau – covering just 70
square miles – is the smallest of the seven inhabited Hawaiian
Islands and this volcanic island is home to the world’s tiniest
treasures – the unique shells of Niihau. Niihau’s closest
neighbor island, Kauai, is 17 miles to its northeast but
Niihau’s terrain is vastly different with its low lying and arid
soil. The reference “Forbidden” refers to it being privately
owned and closed to uninvited visitors. The self-sufficient
residents have no modern amenities and retain their ancient
culture by speaking only Hawaiian and being occupied with
tending sheep and cattle and tapping into their gold mine of
diminutive shells. During the warm Hawaiian winter months,
families walk or bike down dusty roads to the pristine beaches
and coves to spend long days in collecting shell