Sargassum aquifolium

Sargassum aquifolium can reach up to 30 centimeters with a flat main branch and wide, short, spiny leaves.[2] Size vary based on where they live, but S. aquifolium that live on reef flats are usually larger and more narrow.[2] Leaves range from 2.54-10.16 centimeters (1-4 inches) in length and 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inches) in width.[3] Leaves are golden-brown color with brown dots and a clear spine.[3] Edges of leaves are smooth or spiny with toothlike edges.[3] Sargassum aquifolium can float due to the pneumatocysts found on the leaves.[4]

Sargassum aquifolium is endemic to the Hawaiian islands.[4] Sargassum aquifolium is the most common and largest species of Sargassum in Hawaii.[2] Sargassum aquifolium can be found growing year-round in subtidal ranges with rocky terrain and reef flats.[5] Sargassum aquifolium is common to wave-washed lava benches and can also be found in warm, calm tide pools with depths of more than 3 meters (10 feet).[5] This seaweed grows in habitats where waves are present and moderate and usually thrives in the North Pacific where winter swells come in.[5]

Leaves of Sargassum aquifolium are used as food.[3] The youngest leaves are picked and used because the older leaves are too tough to eat.[3] Leaves are washed and are soaked in fresh water overnight and can then be used in food.[3] It is usually chopped or ground up and combined with other seaweeds or cooked in soup.[3] Whole leaves are deep fried into chips.[3] Sargassum aquifolium is also eaten fresh at the beach with raw fish or octopus.[6] Sargassum aquifolium is also used for fish bait.[3]

Limu kala was believed to be among many of its kind (limu, lit. 'seaweed') appearing in the first period of creation (wā) as mentioned in the Kumulipo.[7]

It is often used in sacred ceremonies in Hawaiian culture.[4] A ceremony called Hoʻoponopono used the leaves of the seaweed to pray to the gods and ask for forgiveness if they had offended anyone in the circle.[8] This ceremony was usually done when a family was having problems and limu kala was used because it was associated with purification.[8] Another use Hawaiians had for the seaweed was when they were going fishing.[8] They would use the seaweed as bait for certain fishes.[8] It gained the named limu honu after people realized that turtles enjoyed eating the seaweed too.[8] S. aquifolium (limu kala) was also used in other healing and purifying ceremonies and adornment on hula dancers.[9]