Opihi shells are highly-prized limpets found tightly clinging to the wave-swept coastlines throughout the Hawaiʻi islands. They are known as the fish of death because people harvesting them encounter dangerous pounding waves. They are an integral part of Indigenous Hawaiʻi life used traditionally such as for sustenance and for tools like scrapers. Their numbers have dramatically declined due to over-harvesting, pollution and shoreline development. Conservation strategies and regulations are now in place such as limiting the gathering to only size-appropriate ones.
Keli'i Eli's gentle sea Turtle is composed from carved rich Pennsylvania jet and a beautiful opihi shell. The sweet water creature's eyes are from colorful red coral set to an opihi shell head. About 3 1/4" long, 2 1/4" wide and 1 1/8" tall.
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