Makana

Makana is a beautiful gender-neutral Hawaiian name that means “gift,” crowning your child as the treasure they are. Makana is also the name of a mountain on the island of Kauaʻi, one of the few locations where the fire-throwing ceremony, 'ō ahi, was held. In ancient times, this ceremony took place during special occasions, usually in honor of an aliʻi, or high chief. Skilled fire-throwers would climb to a high cliffside of the mountain and throw flaming papala wood out into the ocean. Because this wood is quite hollow and flammable when dry, the flames would travel through the core and out the back, resembling a sparkling rocket soaring through the air. If you’re of Hawaiian heritage, why not pay tribute to your culture by naming your little one after this sacred mountain?