The real life behind the shells — from roosters to 12-hour jewelry days

Aloha and welcome everyone. 

Today, I thought I’d take you on a little flashback to my life on the island. After living on Kauaʻi for 20 years, I sure have gathered a lot of memories, funny moments, and a taste of what real island lifestyle is all about.

The Morning of a Beautiful Sunrise on Kauaʻi

Most people imagine a peaceful Hawaiian morning — gentle waves, soft breezes, and endless quiet. But let me tell you, Kauaʻi has its own very unique alarm clock, and it comes with feathers.

Yes — Mr. Rooster. He and his whole choir of wild chickens never miss a sunrise. Lucky for me, I’ve always been an early-bird kind of girl. My eyes usually open around 4:30–5:00 a.m., no alarm clock needed.

      

The first thing I reach for is my favorite cup of coffee ☕. I head to my big round chair — the cozy one with soft fabric that hugs you like a cloud — and look out at my sweet Kauaʻi garden filled with Hawaiian plants and the soft sway of a palm tree.

But then, I immediately find myself running to grab my camera and step out on the deck to catch the beauty of sunrise. The sound of roosters yelling from house to house is echoing across the valley — and if you live on Kauaʻi or have ever visited Hawaiʻi, I’m sure you’ve experienced this too (haha!).

 

The air is fresh, the shama birds sing, and for a few moments I sit quietly, soaking in the beauty of Hawaiian island lifestyle. It’s my time to breathe, to be grateful, and to start the day with aloha kakahiaka.

 

Island Rhythm & My Morning Routine

Once the coffee is finished, the energy goes up. I put on music that makes me want to dance and start my morning workout. Sometimes it’s quick, other times it stretches into hours. It’s how I keep both body and spirit strong.

  

And yes — between sets, I’m checking my phone, replying to customers, and planning my day. Whether it’s packing orders, photographing jewelry, or designing with Niʻihau shells, ShellsHawaii is always in motion.

When my husband wakes up (he’s not in the 4:30 a.m. club), I switch to “office mode.” I check messages, print labels, organize orders, and make sure everything behind the scenes at ShellsHawaii.com is flowing smoothly. That’s the not-so-glamorous but very real side of running a Hawaiian small business.

Island Living: The Everyday Life with a Full Schedule

Before I can dive into shells, there’s housework to tackle — laundry, cooking, dishes, and yes, making the bed. Then it’s errands: bank runs, supply shopping, and dropping off packages at the post office.

Some days I spend time in the yard, tending to my Hawaiian plants under the warm Kauaʻi sun. Other days I treat myself to a hike, breathing in the lush green beauty of Hawaiʻi beaches, palm trees, and mountain trails that make this island so unforgettable. Living in Hawaiʻi means staying close to nature, and I treasure that part of island lifestyle.

My Creative Time

By around 2 p.m., it’s finally time for what I love most — creating Niʻihau shell jewelry. Whether it’s a short afternoon or a full 12-hour session, I lose myself in the art of stringing shells. I carefully balance colors, styles, and patterns, letting each piece take shape naturally.

Some days I reach for my momi shells (モミシェル), carefully pairing them into new earrings for my collection. Other times I work with kahelelani shells (カヘレラニシェル), adding their vibrant sparkle into pendants or blending them with other shells for unique designs. And when I’m in the mood for a real challenge, I dive into a kipona lei — always fun, but one that takes much longer before I can see the finished beauty.

What I create really depends on my mood. If I don’t have many hours, I’ll usually make earrings or pendants so I can hold a finished piece in my hands and feel that small joy of accomplishment for the day.

Our friends always laugh when they call and hear what we’re up to:
“Still going non-stop, huh?”

➡️Yes — always. That’s our life, whether we’re on Kauaʻi or anywhere else — full, busy, and never dull✨. Our life is never not busy. Between our business, the yard work, and the unexpected things that come into our days, we sometimes forget that we are living in the most beautiful place on earth. Even when you live on a paradise island like Hawaiʻi, the responsibilities are never any less than if you were working and living anywhere else in the world.

My Island Life — It’s Always Full with Memory

From sunrise roosters to late-night jewelry sessions, my Hawaiian days are always full. But they’re also filled with gratitude. I get to create with my hands, stay close to nature, and share my passion with people around the world.

Every shell I touch is a reminder of where I come from, and every piece I create connects me to someone who treasures a little piece of Hawaiʻi.

This is my life beside my Niʻihau shell creations — Kauaʻi life, island lifestyle, full, busy, beautiful, and blessed.