Limu Manauea Firecracker Necklace

Limu Manauea Firecracker necklace is a bold energetic expression of the ocean. An essential part of old Hawaii, limu reminds us how integrated our lives on land are to the ocean. Only women were permitted to collect it, so wear limu as a symbol of feminine strength and knowledge. Worn on a silicone cord (leather on request) in silver or gold.

Limu Manauea (ogo, gracilaria)

Ola has many meanings in Hawaiian, among them are life, health, well-being; alive, living; heal, survive, thrive. Each design in the Ola Collection is inspired by something that sustained and helped the ancient Hawaiians thrive.

This seaweed, called limu in Hawaiian, was important as medicine, spice and salad in old Hawaii, and today is best known for its role in the popular dish poke. Collecting limu was exclusively the purview of women, but don’t confuse this with equating women as holding a lower position in society. Women fought wars and held political offices alongside men!

Seaweeds are kinds of marine algae. They form the basis of the food web on reefs and rocky shores. Limu are found in many marine environments from tidepools to deep reef slopes. We have over 600 different species of seaweeds in Hawaii. In Hawaii, Limu Manauea is an endemic red algae that found along Hawai’i’s shorelines up to 12 feet deep, and is one of the most widely used limu, often used to make poke. Also called Ogo (the japanese version) the two seaweeds are used interchangeably. Limu manauea grows 4-6″ while ogo is taller at 10-12″. This crunchy healthy seaweed is over-harvested due to its popularity, so it is illegal to gather it when in its reproductive stage (when it has bumps).