Jewels of the Sea - Hawaii's Seashells

Although Hawaii has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, our seashore is not the treasure trove of shells that you may find on the beaches of the mainland United States. Large shells tend to get smashed by the coral reefs and buffeted by the waves before they can make it to shore. However, a little persistence will reward you with some of the most beautiful shells on Earth.

Triton's Trumpet - This shell, along with the horned helmet shell, are the shells most commonly blown like a horn at a luau. Contrary to popular belief, Hawaii does not have true conch shells, like in the Caribbean. In Greek mythology Triton was a god who calmed the ocean when he blew his shell trumpet. Known in Hawaiian as "Pu", the triton is often used to signal the beginning of a ceremony. The Pu is blown to announce the opening of Hawaii State Legislature, to present the royal court at hula festivals and for weddings. They can be found in water as shallow as ten feet, but please don't collect these treasures. They are important in Hawaiian culture and are just recovering from overfishing.

Cowry - These shining beauties are everywhere on the beaches of Hawaii. World-wide, cowries are the most collected seashell. Often used in jewelry, the word "porcelain" comes from the Italian word for cowry, porcellana. The cowry shell stays so lustrous because the mantle of the cowry, which is like a cape of flesh, covers the shell and protects it. Ancient Hawaiians used the cowry for food, jewelry, and as octopus lures. With 35 species in Hawaii, cowries of all sizes can be found both on the beach and in the water. Just make sure that the snail is not still inside, or you'll be in for a stinky surprise.

Harp - Like a Hawaiian sunset in miniature, the Harp shell can be found in the sand in shallow water. It has variegated lines, like the strings of a harp, in shades of pink and brown.

Cone - Beautiful but deadly, don't even think of collecting this predator unless you check to make sure that the snail is gone. The cone snail actually has a tooth that works as a harpoon to sting prey. The pattern on a cone shell is a mosaic that often resembles mountains or even a herringbone. Try turning the shell over with a stick to see if the black snail is still inside before picking it up.

Auger - Augers are long, pointed shells that resemble the drill for which they're named. The ancient Hawaiians used the shell as both a drill and a stopper for their water gourds. They can be found in shallow water. The tip of the auger is very sharp and can break easily.

"Puka" shells - Puka shells are not really a type of shell, but rather a worn down piece of a cone shell. Puka is Hawaiian for "hole", and refers to the natural hole that is formed in the middle of the cone shell. Traditionally, Hawaiians believed that puka shell necklaces would ensure the wearer a safe trip, so they were often worn by sailors. You can easily find enough shells with a "puka" on the beach to make a necklace, although they may not be from cone shells.

Collector Sea Urchin - Technically not shells, these beautiful purple exoskeletons shimmer like Christmas balls in the tide pools. When alive, collector sea urchins have small, short spines that they use to "collect" bits of shell and seaweed to disguise themselves. When they die (usually eaten by the horned helmets) they wash up on the shore, minus the spines.

When visiting the islands, feel free to start your own Hawaiian shell collection. Shell collecting is perfectly legal in Hawaii, as long as you're just taking enough for your personal use. Please put any shells with an animal still inside back in the water.

The majority of shells sold in discount and convenience stores in Hawaii are not from Hawaii. They are most likely from the Phillipines. Imported shells usually have a sticker on the bottom that displays the country of origin.