Design Library & Glossary

Glossary:

Don't be Nailz:
Nailz - irritating, rude, unpleasant, ugly mean. Don't be nailz - don't be mean or ugly.

Aloha Kekahi i Kekahi:
Love one another.

Mikiʻao:
Claw, nail, fingernail, toenail.

Kū i ke Kaila:
Stylish, fashionable.

Mahalo me ke Aloha:
Expressing gratitude with love.

Pūpū Hinuhinu Collection

Our Pūpū Hinuhinu collection is inspired by the beautiful shells that dot Hawaiʻi's beaches and ocean floor.

Kuoho (Cowry) - PH 0001:

The cowry shell, commonly known as leho, comes in many varieties like kuoho, kupa, ʻōlūpalaha, pāuhu (pōuhu), pūleho, pūleholeho, hōlei, pūleho kaniʻo, pūleho ʻula, pūleho palaoa, pūpū, leholeho & ʻuala. It is a shell loved by heʻe and used as a lure for them. The kuoho is a large cowry, likely the Cypraea reticulata.

Pūpū Pōniuniu 1 (Hebrew Cone) - PH 0002/PH 0007:
The hebrew cone is one of the varieties of pūpū pōniuniu, or "dizzy shell". They were likely given this name because many live cone shells, like the hebrew cone, are actually venomous. So be very careful when handling these shells & you should never take a live snail!

Wanawana (Urchin) - PH 0003:
The wanawana or wana is known for its sharp spines and spikes (and it's ʻono meat). But once the spines are removed, the pūpū has beautiful patterns and colors and is very fragile.

Pūpū Pōniuniu 2 (Marble Cone) - PH 0004/PH 0008:
The marble cone is another variety of pūpū pōniuniu, or "dizzy shell". They were likely given this name because many live cone shells, like the marble cone, are actually venomous. So be very careful when handling these shells & you should never take a live snail!

ʻAhaʻaha (Miter) - PH 0005:
The miter shell, or ʻahaʻaha is one of the most beautiful and rare shells to find, and its orange hues are very distinctive.

Pūpū Pōniuniu 3 (Flea Cone) - PH 0007:
The flea cone is another variety of pūpū pōniuniu, or "dizzy shell". They were likely given this name because many live cone shells, like the marble cone, are actually venomous. So be very careful when handling these shells & you should never take a live snail!

Palaka Collection

ʻAuhea wale ʻoe te wahine holo lio, pua nani o Hawaiʻi lā? Though palaka has roots in the colonial plantation history of Hawaiʻi, our people have used it to build our local identity and style. Now it's a classic mainstay of style & fashion in Hawaiʻi. Aloha i ka Hawaiian Cowboy!

Pastel Palaka Coconut - PP 0001:

Coconut is a neutral lovers dream. It's a combination of creamy whites, browns and grays - perfect for matching with everything and anything.

Pastel Palaka Wai - PP 0002:

Wai is for all of the water lovers out there. Whether its a kahawai, punawai, ua, wailele or kai, water is life. These soft blues and grays will remind you of all the water in your life.

Pastel Palaka Guava - PP 0003:

Though not as bright as a juicy guava, the Guava collection is a pastel version of those fruity hues. With shades of mauve and pale pink, it's sure to bring to mind ʻono and juicy guava.

Pastel Palaka Poi - PP 0004:

From ʻaha and pāʻina to our babies first food, poi is a treasured ʻāina that continues to feed us. This color scheme of various shades of soft purple and gray is a tribute to our older brother Hāloanakalaukapalili and his gift of our favorite starch, poi.

Pastel Palaka Nori - PP 0005:

On your musubi, with a bowl of poke, or all by itself - Nori is the perfect snack. The greens of this collection are inspired by the crunchy, salty and versatile seaweed snack.

Palaka Malolo Syrup - PP 0006:

This hot pink shade brings to mind pink stained lips from childhood pāʻina where juice from Malolo Syrup was a staple.

Holoholo Collection

He mau pepeiao ko ka iʻa. I was always told never to say you’re going fishing, because the fish will hear you. So instead we say “We going Holoholo”. This collection is inspired by the Holoholo lifestyle from Mauka to Makai. This lifestyle puts food on the table and feeds our mind and spirit - nothing beats a day in the mauna or ma kai going Holoholo!

Nā Lako (Holoholo Tools) - HH 0001/HH 0008:

ʻUpena, fishing poles, lūheʻe and more are all important tools for a fisherman, there's another tool that is just as important - kilokilo (observation). Observing bird behavior, moon cycles, tides and more are all important skills for a kanaka lawaiʻa. This set is inspired by those kilokilo tools that all good fishermen need.

Kai Pāpaʻu (Shallow Water) - HH 0002:

I haʻaheo no ka lawaiʻa i ka lako i ka ʻupena - the fisherman may be well proud when well supplied with nets. We all need good tools to help us succeed - though hoʻolei ʻupena is not necessarily a traditional fishing technique, it is often used by kanaka today to lawaiʻa. The ʻUpena (Throw Net) nails are inspired by this popular fishing technique.

Kia (Deer) - HH 0003:

The Kia (Deer) nail is a special collaboration between Hulalei Designs and Iwi Nails. With soft creams and browns, and Axis Deer fur nails, these are for those who want their nails to say "kiss my axis!"

Kūmū (Goatfish) - HH 0004:

The kūmū was a fish is significant in our moʻomeheu Hawaiʻi and is often used ceremonially. Not to mention it's also delicious! This Kūmū (Goatfish) nail is vibrant and fun, and will bring to mind the ʻono iʻa from which it got it's name.

Hoʻopeʻepeʻe (Camo) - HH 0005:

The Hoʻopeʻepeʻe (Camo) nails are for those serious about hunting, or those serious about a cute camo. With some axis horns hidden in them, this camo is perfect for both hunters and fashionable camo lovers alike!

Hoʻolei ʻUpena (Throw Net) - HH 0006:

Mahimahi - HH 0007:

The Mahimahi nail strip is inspired by one of my favorite pelagic fishes. It's vibrant yellows, blues, greens and silvers make it one of the most handsome, and the perfect inspiration for a bright and unique mani. It's also ʻono ʻono ʻono!

Collaborations

Pilina or relationships are incredibly important to us here at Iwi Nails and we love working with other small businesses to put their art on these tiny canvases we call nails! Check out the designs created in collaboration with these other amazing Hawaiʻi based businesses.

Kahua ʻĀina x Iwi Nails: ʻUlu (Breadfruit) - KA 0001:

ʻAʻohe ʻulu i loaʻa i ka pōkole o ka lou - No breadfruit can be reached when the picking stick is too short, meaning preparation is key! Get prepared for any event or just day to day tasks with these ʻulu nails with neutral vibes that will match any outfit. The soft greens and beige plus your favorite ʻulu motifs make for a chic meakanu Hawaiʻi mani.

Kahua ʻĀina x Iwi Nails: Manu ʻŌiwi (Native Birds) - KA 0002:

Adorn your nails with manu and meakanu ʻōiwi. Little ʻiʻiwi, ʻakiapōlāʻau, ʻelepaio, ʻapapane and palila will lele with you wherever you go when wearing this nail set, along with their meaʻai. Get this super cute limited edition set before it flies away!

Kolekolea x Iwi Nails: Loʻi Kalo (Taro Patch) - KK 0001:

E huli ka lima i lalo. The Loʻi Kalo (Taro Patch) nail is inspired by full thriving loʻi where communities come together to huli ka lima i lalo - and work together. Soft blue-greens, grays, and pistachio green make up this subtle nail set.

ʻOno & ʻAwa x Iwi Nails: Keiki o ka ʻĀina - OA 0001:

Keiki o ka ʻāina la, hoʻolohe mai kākou la, i nā moʻolelo la, o ka wā kahiko. These strips are for those keiki who love to get their hands dirty playing or working in the ʻāina but also love to get dolled up for pāʻina. With bright colors, silver sparkle, and ʻOno & ʻAwa's Keiki o ka ʻĀina print, these strips are fun and unique!

ʻOno & ʻAwa x Iwi Nails: Aloha - OA 0002:

There is no place like Hawaiʻi! With our endless natural beauty and warm and loving communities, aloha abounds. These keiki strips with ʻOno & ʻAwa's Aloha design bring to mind beautiful rainbows and friendly shaka - for keiki that are just as special as the place we call home!