Hāna Limu Festival Dedicated to Memory of Cosma

By Wendy Osher

Photo courtesy Hana Limu Festival organizers.

A festival dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of native limu (seaweed) will be held on Saturday, November 5 in East Maui.

The 3rd Annual Hāna Limu Festival will be dedicated this year to the memory of Hāna musician, Pekelo Cosma.

Festival organizers remember the late slack-key artist and composer for his support of the festival and other community-based conservation efforts to protect the Hāna Coast.

The festival, organized by the non-profit Nā Mamo O Mū‘olea, is designed to promote a deeper understanding of native limu.

Event festivities are aimed at increasing the mindfulness of individuals and the role they play in making sure existing resources are here for generations to come.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Kapueokahi (Hāna Bay).

Hana Limu Festival. File photo courtesy Nā Mamo O Mū‘olea.

Activities include:

• Talk story with kupuna as they share their traditional knowledge
• Dr. Celia Smith discusses the life of Hāna’s own Dr. Isabella Kauakea Abbott
• Limu identification and sampling
• Limu planting
• Cooking demos by Executive Chef Barry Villiarimo
• Keiki games
• Digital Bus interactive science activities
• Silent auction featuring more than 50 items
• Food by Aunty Shorty & The Villiarimo ‘Ohana Chefs
• Live music with CJ Helekahi, Leokane Pryor, the Ahahui Ka’ahumanu, Jack Uaiwa, and Marty Dread
• Ocean information – Kipahulu ‘Ohana, Kahanu Garden, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Ewa Beach Limu Project, The Nature Conservancy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eyes of the Reef, Waiehu Limu Project, and others
• and craft booths featuring Hāna-made items

Hana Limu Festival. File photo courtesy Nā Mamo O Mū‘olea.

Event organizers say native limu is important, not only as a nutritious part of the traditional Hawaiian diet, but for its vital importance to the health of the nearshore ecosystem.

Limu in waters off of East Maui and elsewhere, serves as food and shelter for small herbivorous fish.

Now in its third year, the festival continues to promote limu education and marine resource information in Hāna, and across Maui.