1. Got Limu? Uses for Algae in Hawaii…. and Beyond!
Heather Spalding
UH Manoa GK-12 Program
Hui Malama Learning Center

2. What is algae, anyway? ……NO! ……YES! Is it pond scum?
Is it that slimy green stuff on the inside of your tanks?
Is it seaweed?
Is it limu?
Is it ogo?
Is it nori?
Is it phytoplankton?
Is it a plant?
……YES!
……YES!
……YES!
……YES!
……YES!
……YES!
……NO!

3. Three main divisions of marine algae in Kingdom Protista:
Chlorophyta – green algae
Rhodophyta – red algae
Phaeophyta – brown algae

4. Range in size from tiny microscopic life to giant ocean kelps over a hundred feet long!

5. Psycho Phycos “phykos” = Greek for “alga” Phycology = study of algae
Phycologist = someone who studies algae
Every Phycologist’s Pet Peeve:
“Alga” is singular
“Algae” is plural
“Algaes” do not exist!!!

6. Halimeda meadows form important habitat

7. Algae is used for many purposes
Fertilizer
Food for humans and animals
Hawaiiian cultural practices
Extracted products:
potash
algin
carrageenan
agar

8. Most common algae used for food worldwide
Porphyra (nori)
Gracilaria (ogo)
Rhodymenia (dulse)
Chondrus crispus (Irish moss)

9. Porphyra (nori)

10. Nori: better than potato chips!
Also high in….
Iodine
Vitamin B12
Riboflavin
Calcium
Fiber

11. Gracilaria (ogo)
poke!

12. Carrageenan
Kappaphycus/Eucheuma
(Rhodophyta)

13. Kappaphycus/Eucheuma When good algae go bad

14. Agar
Extracted from Rhodophyta

15. Algin/Alginate & Potash
Extracted from Phaeophyta

16. Identify, then…IRON CHEF: Limu
Identify each alga by Genus species & Hawaiian name Use a recipe or create your own recipe using algae!

17. Ulva
(Limu palahalaha)
Sea lettuce

18. Enteromorpha (Limu ‘ele ‘ele) Totally tubular!

19. Codium (Limu wawae’iole) “Rat’s foot”

20. Common Algae (Limu) Eaten in Hawaii
Dictyopteris
(Limu lipoa)
Sargassum
(Limu kala)

21. Asparagopsis (Limu kohu)

22. Ahnfeltiopsis (Limu ‘aki ‘aki)

23. Gracilaria (Limu manauea) ogo

24. Limu NOT commonly eaten in Hawaii Caulerpa “Sea grapes”