enos collonista verruca
Collonista verruca

Although not a land snail, Niʻihau is known for their Niʻihau shell lei. Although there are several species used for these lei and none are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, Collonista verruca stands out by being first described from Hawaii. Additionally, these shells are known as Kahelelani (royal going; name of first chief of Niʻihau). These shells were worn by chiefs and as the smallest of Niihau shells, the post difficult to make into lei, therefore, being one of the most precious shells from Niʻihau.

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