Hāna Limu Festival Honors Waianu Krause

This year the festival will honor Waianu Krause who passed away this summer in a tragic car accident. Krause interned with Haleakala National Park and worked witih Kipahulu Ohana, learning about limu and loi restoration from Uncle John Lind. Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

The 4th Annual Hāna Limu Festival takes place on Saturday, November 10, at Kapueokahi (Hāna Bay).

The event is hosted by the non-profit organization, Nā Mamo O Mū‘olea, and is designed to promote a deeper understanding of native limu (seaweed), and heighten awareness of the public role in making sure ocean resources remain for future generations.

Native limu is considered important, not only as a nutritious part of the traditional Hawaiian diet; but also for its vital importance to the health of the nearshore ecosystem, serving as food and shelter for small herbivorous fish.

This year’s festival honors Waianu Krause who passed away this summer in a car accident. Krause interned with Haleakala National Park and worked witih Kipahulu Ohana, learning about limu and loi restoration from Uncle John Lind.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and features a talk story session with kupuna and limu experts, as well as limu identification and sampling.

Limu Festival Poster. Click image to view in greater detail.

Other highlights of the event include the following:

• Talk story with kupuna and limu experts including: Napua Barrows, Kamaui Aiona, Uncle Henry Chang-wo, Wally Ito, and Dr. Celia Smith/UH
• Cooking demonstrations with native limu by Executive Chef Barry Villiarimo, from the Travassa Hotel Hāna
• Keiki games and art projects, and interactive science activities
• Silent auction featuring more than 50 items
• Food booths with laulau, shortribs, and burgers by Fawn Helekahi, Aunty Shorty Helekahi, and Barry Villiarimo
• Live music with George Kahumoku Jr., Ahahui Ka’ahumanu, Kau’i Kanaka’ole, and Uncle Son Kalaola
• Craft booths with Hāna-made items
• Ocean information booths:  Kipahulu ‘Ohana, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Ewa Beach Limu Project, Waiehu Limu Project, Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Wailuku Community-managed Marine Area, The Nature Conservancy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, DLNR, Division of Aquatic Resources, Hana Youth Center, ‘Opihi Partners, Hui Malama O Moomomi

The mission of Na Mamo O Mu‘olea is to perpetuate traditional management of the Mū‘olea ‘ahupua‘a, and to restore and maintain Mū ‘olea’s natural, cultural, scenic, historic and marine resources for the benefit, education and enjoyment of our community and future generations.