Limu Kala

Design Meanings:

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Kānehoalani

Kāne who ignited the heavens —our sun, Kāne god of fresh water

Kāne is the facilitator of the movement of fresh water and he uses the sun as one of his tools. He is the movement of life pulling water from the ground and gravitating in an upward position. According to some legends he is the husband to Haumea and father to fire goddess Pele representing the duality of tangible and intangible fire. Most of Kanehoalaniʻs magic is invisible, but we benefit from every bit of light that touches our bodies and honua.

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Wind & Rain of Hāʻena

This design was made for this specific wind and rain of Hāʻena.

Sitting in silence here is one of my favorite things to do. To watch the Koaʻeʻula and Koaʻekea play with the wind on the cliffs, watching the moon set behind Makana, and watching the wind blow the rain sideways. When it rains like this it reminds me of growing up in Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island. This rain, is a lot more gentle than the piercing Kipuʻupuʻu of Waimea, but just as peaceful and mana-rejuvinating to get to know and admire.

We are currently working with an ʻohana member of Hāʻena to learn the inoa (name) of this wind and rain. 

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Limu Kala. Kala.

To untie, free, release, unburden

This design was inspired by Limu Kala, the official state limu of Hawaiʻi (as of June 2023), and was created at a gathering with the Limu Hui. The Limu Hui is a group of limu practitioners organized by Kuaʻāinauluʻauamo (KUA). It comprises of story holders from across the pae ’āina, traveling from island to island to learn from each other about limu and share knowledge about the places where limu grow and thrive today.

Limu is the Hawaiian word for seaweed and all types of underwater plants. Limu, filters water, feeds fish, indicates freshwater sources on shorelines, and nourishes and heals people through meaʻai (food eaten) and lapaʻau (medicine). Kala means to untie, free, release, or unburden. This type of limu is often used for medicinal, cooking, and ceremonial purposes to cleanse, release, unburden, and restore wholeness.

For limu to thrive, it needs a freshwater resource and a shoreline that supports its needs. This design is dedicated to all the spaces that sustain limu today and the people who have taught me all about it. OLA!