“The sacred leaf ” or “plentifully sacred”. Found at Manawai (Pearl and Hermes), Kapou (Lisianski), and Lalo (French Frigate Shoals), this species is named after Aunty Laura Kalaukapu Thompson and her influence and connections to Papahānaumokuākea. This species was described as a relatively abundant limu that is very full and vibrant-looking in its habitat. The inclusion of lau relates to other limu species that were recently named through the CWG nomenclature process, as well as giving it a ma uka (upland) connection to the ma kai (towards the ocean) aspects of this species, a common Hawaiian naming practice. Lau also can mean many or numerous, expressing the multitude of something. Kapu reflects the sacredness of Papahānaumokuākea and its place as an ʻāina akua, or sacred region.
