Today my heart is heavy.

If you have followed my journey over the years, you already know that creating Niʻihau shell jewelry has never been just about making jewelry for me. It has been a journey of learning, patience, challenges, and discovering who I truly am. This art has given my life so much more than I ever imagined.

People often call Niʻihau shells the diamonds of the Hawaiian sea, and I couldn't agree more. But after all these years, I have realized they have given me something even more valuable than beautiful shells. They have brought so many wonderful people into my life.

Over the years, I have been incredibly blessed to meet so many kind people through this journey. Some friendships began with a simple question about Niʻihau shells. Others grew through years of emails, messages, and conversations. Before I knew it, many customers had become dear friends.

I have had customers fly all the way from Japan so we could get together. Some spoke no English and I couldn't speak Japanese, but we figured it out and, in hindsight, that language barrier only added to the fun.

I still smile when I think about one wonderful customer from Maui. We exchanged emails and messages for almost five years before finally meeting in person when she visited Kauaʻi. By the time we met, it felt like we had known each other for years.

Along this journey, I have also met people whose kindness continues to inspire me. One couple, both doctors, have dedicated so much of their lives to helping others around the world.

Another wonderful couple has become very special to me since the first day we sat together at a little coffee shop on Kauaʻi. They now call San Diego home, where they enjoy being close to the ocean. Somehow, that has always felt so fitting to me. They have been through more in life than most people will ever know, yet they continue to live with kindness, generosity, and aloha. Every now and then, we meet people who leave a lasting place in our hearts. They are those people for me. I feel so fortunate that this journey brought them into my life.

Sometimes I sit back and wonder how I have been so lucky to meet so many wonderful people. It makes me feel like the way I try to live my life really does matter.

As I look back on all of these friendships, I realize they were never built just because I create Niʻihau shell jewelry. They were built through trust, kindness, respect, and a shared love for this beautiful Hawaiian art. I truly believe people can feel when something comes from the heart, and I have been so fortunate to meet people who value not only my work, but also the way I try to honor and represent this art. That means more to me than I can ever put into words.

Today, one of those special people is no longer with us (I will not use her name in this blog because just her name alone would direct traffic to my website and this is not about me or my business).

The Niʻihau shell world has lost one of the most talented lei masters. She was someone I admired deeply, someone who inspired me, and someone I respected with all my heart. Her artistry helped preserve a beautiful part of Hawaiian culture, but more than anything, I will always remember her kindness and friendship.

Life is so short. We see someone today and somehow believe there will always be another tomorrow. Sometimes there isn't.

One thing that brings me comfort is knowing that I had the chance to say goodbye and to tell her how much I loved, respected, and admired her.

Her reply was, "I love you too, my dear."

When I read those words, tears roll down my face. I am so grateful that, even during such a difficult time, she took a moment to reply to me. Those words mean everything to me, and I will carry them in my heart forever.

Thank you for everything.

I will never forget you, and I hope you know how much you mean to me.

To her ʻohana, her friends, and everyone who loved her, I am truly sorry for your loss. My deepest respect and condolences.

Much aloha,
Janjira