10th Hāna Limu Festival, Nov. 14-16

November 7, 2019, 8:16 AM HST
* Updated November 8, 8:09 AM

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Nā Mamo O Mū‘olea announces the 10th Hāna Limu Festival, taking place next weekend in East Maui.

This year’s festival pays tribute to Hāna-born educator and ethnobotanist, Dr. Isabella Kauakea Aiona Abbot, who was one of the world’s leading experts on limu. Dr. Abbot was recognized as the first native Hawaiian woman to earn a PhD in science.

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Each year the Festival brings people from across the islands to enjoy a weekend of music, hula, games, arts and crafts, and a silent auction. Funds raised benefit Nā Mamo O Mū‘olea’s Scholarship for Hāna students committed to higher education and the Hāna community.

All events are free and are open to the public. A lineup of activities includes the following:

Thursday Night Film – Moananuiākea: One Ocean. One People. One Canoe.

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Nov. 14, 2019 | 6 to 10 p.m. | Helene Hall | Hāna Bay Beach Park

The feature film is presented by Polynesian Voyaging Society and ‘Ōiwi TV’s Naʻalehu Anthony. The Maui Nui Makai Network of communities introduces new participants from East Maui, as they recommit to the Promise to Paeʻāina and the East Maui Hoʻomau, and continue their work in marine conservation and resource management.

Friday Night Talk Story – E Walaʻau Kākou – No Ka ‘Imi Na’auao (Focus on Education)

Nov. 15, 2019 | 6 to 10 p.m. | Helene Hall | Hāna Bay Beach Park

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The public is invited to come and talk story in honor and celebration of the life achievements of the late Dr. Isabella Kauakea Aiona Abbott. Dr. Celia Smith from UH Manoa Botany Department leads discussion. Hālau Nakaulakuhikuhi will perform hula to honor Dr. Abbott. Pelika Andrade and Kim Kanoeulalani Morishge will share their work on Nā Kilo ʻĀina which refers to the watchers and observers of sustenance. Kilo were people that made detailed observations of the nuances of their surroundings in relation to their cultural practice and livelihood. Hokulani Padilla, her staff and Ka Hikina o Ka Lā scholarship recipients from Molokaʻi will share presentations on various conservation projects. Chef Barry Villiarimo will share his famous Hāna Bay Seafood Chowder.

Saturday Festival – Hands-on Keiki and ‘Ohana Activities

Nov. 16, 2019 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Hāna Bay Beach Park

The Saturday festival features games, crafts and interactive science and cultural activities for the whole ʻohana. Learn to recognize our different species of native limu with tide pool touch tanks. The Alakaʻina Maui Digital Bus will be on hand for keiki fun and exploration. Hula from Hālau O Nakaulakuhikuhi, under the direction of Kau‘i Kanaka‘ole, granddaughter of Aunty Edith Kekuhikuhi Kanaka‘ole will perform. There will also be live music by Nā Hōku Hanohano Award artist Kainani Kahaunaʻele with Ikaika Marzo, Kamakoa Asing, Nathan Grace and Kuaʻola. Hand-crafted Hāna-made items sold by local artists will be available. There will also be a silent auction benefiting the Isabelle Aiona Abbott Scholarship for youth of Hāna.

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10th Hāna Limu Festival Detailed Description

For 10 years Nā Mamo O Mūʻolea has promoted a deeper understanding of native limu as an ‘ono, nutritious part of the traditional Hawaiian diet through the Hāna Limu Festival. As an educational and awareness event, emphasis is placed on the health of the nearshore ecosystem, where limu serves as food and shelter for fish and marine life.

Nā Mamo O Mū‘olea is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group and an ‘ohana of residents and families of Mū‘olea whose mission 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 the community and future generations.

The event this year is sponsored by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The Nature Conservancy and the Hāna Maui Trust.