Newly Discovered Limu from Papahānaumokuākea Named After Kaua‘i Marine Educator

By Randall Kosaki, PhD, and Jean Souza

Fresh (A) and pressed (B) specimen of Calliblepharis yasutakei, originally collected at 323 feet at Kapou (Lisianski Island). Photo by Monica Paiano/UH Mānoa

A team of scientists recently published the scientific description of a new species of red algae from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The new alga, Calliblepharis yasutakei, was named after widely respected marine educator and scientist Yumi Yasutake, who passed away on April 30, 2021 on Kaua‘i at the age of 41.

Calliblepharis yasutakei was discovered by scientists using technical closed-circuit rebreathers to dive to extreme depths in excess of 300 feet. These deep coral reefs, or so-called Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems, are virtually unexplored, and host a wealth of undiscovered biodiversity.

Dr. Monica Paiano, a University of Hawai‘i postdoctoral researcher with Dr. Alison Sherwood in the School of Life Sciences and the lead author on the paper, said, “It’s wonderful to recognize someone who dedicated his life to educating Hawai‘i’s keiki about Papahānaumokuākea and the richness of our ocean resources. Yumi’s history is an inspiration for me and I’m sure for all the keiki that had the pleasure to learn from him.”

Late scientist and marine educator Yumi Yasutake is seen here teaching students at Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Photo by James Yamamoto/NOAA

Yasutake was born and raised on Kaua‘i, graduated from Kapa‘a High School, and lived in the Wailua Homesteads. He received a degree in marine science from the UH Hilo, and worked for many years in Hilo at NOAA’s Mokupāpapa Discovery Center. Mokupāpapa was established in 2003 to interpret the natural science, culture and history of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (encompassed by the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument) and surrounding marine environment.

Virginia Branco, manager of the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center, worked with Yasutake in Hilo for many years. “Yumi was the kindest, most humble person I’ve ever met,” she said. “He really poured his heart and soul into educating the young people of Hilo.”

Early in his career, Yasutake, a marine scientist by training who was a certified scientific diver, participated in a major National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research expedition to Papahānaumokuākea. The opportunity to witness first-hand the amazing biodiversity of a pristine Hawaiian marine ecosystem was a life-changing experience for him. He dedicated the remainder of his career to sharing these wonders with Hawai‘i’s young people.

Yumi Yasutake sharing his love of Papahānaumokuākea. Photo by James Yamamoto/NOAA

Yasutake eventually moved back to Kaua‘i to be closer to family, and he continued his career with NOAA by working with many community and school groups, and government agencies on his home island. He was also a fisherman and farmer. Yumi worked with students and classes on senior projects, science fair projects, and project judging. He worked with all Kaua‘i public middle schools to establish in-school aquaponic systems for learning about water quality monitoring, sustainable fisheries, and agriculture.

Yumi also conducted and trained volunteers and staff to conduct learning stations on limu, pono fishing practices, underwater science activities and exploration in Papahānaumokuākea, and gyotaku fish printing at Science at the Beach Student Workshops, Earth Day events, Career Days, Hawaiiana Days, after-school and summer programs, and many more. Frequent partners included the Hawai‘i Department of Education, Division of Aquatic Resources in the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and others.

One of his most notable accomplishments, in partnership with Hanalei Watershed Hui, was development of the Hanalei Moon and Tide Calendars based on fish spawning data he field collected and analyzed. Yasutake’s experiences and input continue to influence the ocean learning center now known as Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery at Kukui Grove Center.

A newly discovered species of limu was named after late NOAA scientist and educator Yumi Yasutake. Photo by James Yamamoto/NOAA

NOAA research ecologist Dr. Randy Kosaki, who is also a co-author on the paper, discovered the only known specimen of this species on a 323-foot dive at Kapou (Lisianski Island) in the NWHI.

“Given Yumi’s dedication to educating our community about this special place, it seems especially fitting that such a rare species from Papahānaumokuākea will now carry his name in perpetuity”, said Kosaki. “He was especially fond of teaching students how to make beautiful pressings of limu that they found on local beaches.”

The specimen of C. yasutakei is deposited in the Bishop Museum’s research collection, where it is available for study by marine scientists worldwide.

Yasutake is survived by his wife, Tami Keakaokalani Mo‘ikeha Yasutake, children Kaison and Myla Yasutake, parents, Leslie and Carol Yasutake; sister, Lachelle (Mark) Rodrigues; brother Kobi (Hannah) Yasutake, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Full citation: Paiano MO, Fumo JT, Cabrera FP, Kosaki RK, Spalding HL, Sherwood AR.  Calliblepharis yasutakei sp. nov. and Hypnea tsudae sp. nov. (Cycstocloniaceae, Rhodophyta): novel diversitiy from the Hawaiian Islands.  Phytotaxa 572(1): 074-086.  https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.572.1.5.

Papahānaumokuākea is cooperatively managed to ensure ecological integrity and achieve strong, long-term protection and perpetuation of Northwestern Hawaiian Island ecosystems, Native Hawaiian culture, and heritage resources for current and future generations. Four co-trustees — the Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior, State of Hawai‘i and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs — protect this special place. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument was inscribed as the first mixed (natural and cultural) UNESCO World Heritage Site in the United States in July 2010. For more information, visit www.papahanaumokuakea.gov.

• Randall Kosaki, PhD, is a Research Ecologist for NOAA Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
• Jean Souza is a Program Specialist with Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and serves as on-site manager of Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery located at Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e. This admission-free learning facility shares the traditions and knowledge of our ocean connections and inspires stewardship. For information, contact Jean.Souza@noaa.gov