Veteran Participant Prepares to Showcase Priceless Pieces From the island of Kauai, one longtime participant continues to bring tradition, artistry, and cultural preservation to the festival floor. Gale Saguchio has participated in the festival for more than 30 years and works with rare Niihau shells collected decades ago by her late mother, carefully preserved in large jars and brought out piece by piece. At a time when authentic Niihau shells are increasingly scarce and often difficult for the untrained eye to distinguish from shells found on Kauai. Her work stands as both artistry and preservation. Each lei is meticulously hand-strung, and in a practice reflecting deep respect for the craft, older pieces are often taken apart and reimagined into new designs so that nothing is wasted. 90 Hawaii Parent July/August 2026
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