Beauty and Color Abound on Luʻuaeaahikiikekumu Expedition

This highlight video brings together some of the most beautiful sightings of dense coral gardens observed during the Luʻuaeaahikiikekumu expedition exploring the Liliʻuokalani Ridge Seamounts in the Central Pacific. Glimpse coral gardens on rocky seamounts with special appearances by some of our favorite underwater animals including a purple “headless chicken” sea cucumber, a toothy anglerfish, and a 'sophisticated' looking sea pig. Watch rare moments such as a sea star predating on coral and a sea dandelion super siphonophore shedding. From sharks to coral to sponges to crustaceans, sea dandelions and this highlight video features some of our favorite moments exploring these seamounts in and around Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

The expedition name Luʻuaeaahikiikekumu (Luʻu-a-ea-a-hiki-i-ke-kumu) represents the journey to and the work in the foundation, or the foundation of the ocean/islands. The inclusion of Native Hawaiian language and practice to the Ocean Exploration Trust expeditions to Papahānaumokuākea was the first of its kind for these expeditions, thus the name reflects the birth of new relationships and collaborative ways of practicing that are inclusive of Kānaka (Native Hawaiians) worldview.

Learn more about this expedition funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute with additional support from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.