Genuine Hawaiian Koa Wood Palaoa Pendant 24" Adj #2

NOTE: Please Note the Measurements of This Large-Sized Design Before Considering Your Purchase. Brand New, Never Used Hawaiian-Designed Hand-Carved Replica Wood Pendant With Necklace Cord. 100% Genuine Big Island Solid Acacia Koa Wood (Not Treated, Not Colored) and Hand-Braided Necklace With Carved Koa Wood Closure... - Symbolism...

NOTE: Please Note the Measurements of This Large-Sized Design Before Considering Your Purchase. Brand New, Never Used Hawaiian-Designed Hand-Carved Replica Wood Pendant With Necklace Cord. 100% Genuine Big Island Solid Acacia Koa Wood (Not Treated, Not Colored) and Hand-Braided Necklace With Carved Koa Wood Closure.

- Symbolism: Palaoa ~ This ancient replica pendant was once only worn by Hawaiian Ali`i (Royalty, Rulers) and was considered a sign of respect, allowing only the wearer to have the complete authority to speak. Whales, like every other creation of nature, were respected by the Hawaiian people. It was believed that deities would take the form of animals and plants, and, therefore, deserved respect. Commonly known today as kohola, whales were believed to be manifestations of Kanaloa, one of the four major Hawaiian demigods, the god of the sea, who was said to be the god responsible for helping the Polynesians find Hawai`i. The whale was first identified as the "Palaoa" or the Toothed Whale, which developed an important and significant role in Hawaiian Culture. On rare occasions, the carcass of a toothed whale would wash ashore, and immediately became the possession of the ruling chief. The ivory of the palaoa was removed and made into a niho palaoa, a whale-tooth pendant. The ivory was carved into the suggestive shape of a tongue, which may have signified someone who spoke with authority. The niho palaoa was then strung through strands of braided human hair from an ancestor into a lei and the entire piece was known as a whale-tooth necklace, or Lei Niho Palaoa. The lei niho palaoa was the second most treasured artifact in Hawaiian culture, which represented strength and power. The lei provided the wearer with mana (spiritual power), from his or her ancestors. It is said that the mana, or spirit of the gods, would be passed on to the wearer of the lei niho palaoa, as would the mana from the ancestor whose hair was used, mana from the carver who made the piece, and the mana from all those who wore it beforehand. Information about whales in the Hawaiian culture, although limited, indicates that the native Hawaiians neither hunted nor ate whales because the meat lacked taste. In fact, it was considered kapu, or taboo, for a commoner to possess any part of a whale. A final view suggests that the Hawaiian culture may have viewed the whale as a very sacred creature. Knowledge of the whale and its cultural connections may have been reserved for the high-ranking chiefs and their priests, and as these ancestors died, so did their special understandings.

- Carver: Makai is a gifted Master Hawaiian Wood, Shell and Bone Carver. Makai was born in Hawai`i and is currently residing on the Mainland. In Hawaiian, “Makai” means “Ocean”. His skills extend to all sorts of Polynesian-Designed Craft Influences From the Various Islands of Oceania and the South Indo-Pacific regions. Makai was trained in the fine art of carving materials by his grandfather. His skills are generational and inherent. With each hand-carved shell, wooden, or composite Makau Fish Hook piece, he creates amazing works-of-art. Each and every piece is 100% unique in its own right; it is not mass-produced. I hope you will enjoy one or more of his mini-masterpieces created with mana (spiritual power).

- Design: Traditional Hawaiian Niho Palaoa #2 (Large); Cutout, 100% Hand-Cut and Hand-Carved Design, Solid Acacia Koa Wood, Traditional Tapered and Rounded Curved-Dome Surface Shapes, Traditional Angled Sides, Intricate Carved Detailing, Clear-Coat Varnish Finish, Hand-Braided Adjustable Necklace Cord, Smooth Surface Polished Finish, Carved Koa Wood Necklace Closure.

- Color/s: Natural Brownish-Red Wood Grain.

- Measures: Approx. 1.0" Widest X 1 5/8" Deep X 2 3/4" Long X 5/8" Thickest.

- Size: Necklace is Approx. 24.0" Long, Adjustable.

- Weight: Approx. 17.3 grams Total.

- Features: Ancient Hawaiian-Designed Palaoa Replica Wood Pendant Created From a Solid Piece of Hawai`i Island (Big Island) Acacia Koa Wood. Clear-Coated to Display the Woods Natural Colors, Tones, and Grains. Hand-Braided Waxed Nylon, Adjustable Necklace Cord With Hand-Carved Acacia Koa Wood Barrel Stopper. Gorgeous Hand-Carved Shape! The Pendant is Securely Affixed and Mounted Onto a Hand-plaited Polynesian-Style, Khaki-Tan Colored Kaula (rope, cordage, string) Using a Strong, Long-Lasting Waxed Nylon Yarn Cord. Purchase Assurance of Quality: As Each of These Wood Pendants Are Hand-Cut and Hand-Carved Using Natural, Hawaiian Acacia Koa Wood, Each One is Unique to the Next; There Are Slight Variations in the Carving's Size and Shape Appearances, and Distinct Differences in the Wood's Grain and Color Backgrounds, Which Are Approximately Represented in the Item's Picture. The Item's Picture Provides All the Main Appearance Characteristics Provided With Each Pendant Purchased. Makes a Great Gift or Treat Yourself to Start or Add to Your Collection of Fine Traditional Replicated Hawaiian Jewelry. Hand-Carved with "aloha." Certain High-Value Items Will Have Required Shipping Insurance to Protect Your Order’s Cost Value Against Shipping That is Lost, Stolen or Damaged by Others and Will Already Be Included in the FLAT Rate Shipping Cost. Please Understand We Should Not Be Held Responsible For Delivery Time Once Your Order Has Shipped as We Are Not the Individuals Delivering Your Package. We Ship Twice a Week on Wednesdays and Saturdays; and Daily During Traditional or Honoring Observance Holidays and the Christmas Shopping Season. USPS Express Delivery (2-Days Guaranteed) From Hawai`i for All U.S. Addresses. Please Feel Free to Contact Us With Any Questions. Live Aloha!

FLAT RATE Shipping/CHECKOUT PROCESS:Please Process Your Own Invoice Transaction or Contact Us to Request Assistance With Your Checkout or to Adjust an Invoice Within 3-days After Completing All of Your Shopping. Unless Otherwise Noted, We Offer a Single, Cost-Effective FLAT Rate Combined Shipping For Unlimited Quantities Purchased. NOTE: Completed Orders on Individual Items Paid Separately Cannot Be Flat Rate Combined After-the-Fact and No Refunds Will Be Offered. Please Ensure You Wait Until You Have Completed All of Your Shopping Before Processing/Requesting a FLAT Rate Shipping Invoice. One Gift Box Total is Included in Every Order Due to Package Size Limitations. Please Email Us if You Have a Specific Item Requiring a Gift Box. Mahalo (Thank you) For Your Purchase! IMPORTANT: PLEASE SEND US A SEPARATE EMAIL AND ALSO INCLUDE A NOTE WITH YOUR PAYMENT TO NOTIFY US OF ANY PRIORITY OR EXPRESS DELIVERY YOU HAVE SELECTED WITH YOUR ORDER.

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