“Nuʻa” describes the thick-growing nature of this limu. Additionally, “nuʻa” refers to the way this limu grows, spreading out and appearing as a single mass of different branches that connect to each other. “Hilihili” is the action of braiding or plaiting. Its use in the name honors the twisted-like appearance of this limu, and the intertwining of it with other limu. Moreover, hili, glossed as “dark red,” appropriately reflects the color of this limu.
