Aloha and welcome, shell lovers! I’m so happy you’re here to share a little story with me today. Every design has its own journey, and this one is extra special — it was one of my very first new designs. I still remember how happy I was when I finally figured it out and made it for the first time. Don’t you think it looks just like a Hawaiian pineapple?

Let’s dive into how this all happened, because it started about 10 years ago — and I’m still making this design today. Over the years, many customers have fallen in love with my pineapple earrings and pendants.

What Customers Are Saying

★★★★★
“Love these earrings.” — Erienne

★★★★★
“Wonderful customer service from the speed of shipping, the wrapping presentation, the adorable earrings, and the lovely communication enclosed and followed up with on Etsy. A fantastic experience!” — Barbara, Aug 26, 2025

If you’d like to read more kind words from my customers, you can always find additional reviews on my Etsy shop or on my testimonial page.

How It All Started

When I first started making the pineapple design for my Niʻihau shell jewelry (ニイハウ シェル ジュエリー), I was sitting at my work station, staring at all the Momi shells (モミシェル) I had already pre-poked, trying to dream up a new design that could really bring out their beauty and show some creativity.

Then… ah-ha! I glanced over at the big Hawaiian pineapple I had just brought home from Costco. Everyone loves a sweet, juicy pineapple — so why not make one from shells?

The challenge began: how could I make the bottom thick and full, and the top fluffy and spiky like a real pineapple? I grabbed the largest Momi shells to build that nice, thick pineapple body. I tried tying them a few different ways until — boom! — I had something that looked pretty close.

Now for the top! I thought, “What can I use to mimic the pineapple leaves?” That’s when I reached for my Laiki shells (ライキシェル). I strung them up to see how it would turn out…

I still remember asking my husband if he thought it really looked like a pineapple. When I finished the very first one — nearly 10 years ago now, during my very first attempt — we both laughed and hugged because it was spot-on! That moment of joy — when something you imagine in your head comes to life exactly as you pictured it — is unforgettable. It was a happy day, and yes, I even did a little happy dance right there at my table.

It took hours of trial and error — re-stringing, adjusting shell sizes, playing with colors — until finally, I created what I believe to be the very first pineapple-style Niʻihau shell jewelry design. Back then, nobody had seen it before. It was fresh, playful, and quickly became one of my favorite pieces to make. And to this day, it’s still one of my very favorite designs to create and add to my Niʻihau shell earrings collection.

The pineapple design is light, fun, and it looks just like a real pineapple. Along with earrings, I also make pineapple pendants. Sometimes I add Kahelelani shells (カヘレラニ) to make them even more delightful and colorful, and other times I use a Tahitian pearl — which works beautifully for pearl lovers.

Hawaiian Pineapple: The Famous Design with Niʻihau Shells

And now… this little pineapple has truly taken on a life of its own. What started at my work table nearly 10 years ago has become one of the most recognizable Hawaiian-inspired Niʻihau shell designs. These days, I see pineapples everywhere — which makes me smile, because I know where it began. It’s fun, it’s playful, and yes — people are now making their own versions.

For me, that’s the beauty of art. A single idea can spread, inspire, and grow in ways you never imagine. But if you’ve ever held one of my pineapples, you’ll know there’s something extra in mine — the years of experience, careful shell matching, and the little details I can’t help but fuss over (probably too much, haha).

What’s Coming Next

If you would like to learn more about the other types of shells used in Niʻihau shell jewelry, please read my past blogs — and in the future, I’ll be sharing even more. I’ll take you deeper into the shells themselves: how they live, what they eat, and how they develop the colors we all see and love.

Stay tuned — this coming week on the blog, we’ll be learning more about Laiki shells and Puka shells, their history, and how they’re used in Niʻihau jewelry.