Our organization was named Makaliʻi by Keao NeSmith, a respected figure in the Hawaiian language and cultural revitalization movement.

The name, Makaliʻi, comes from the Hawaiian name for the Pleiades star cluster. It breaks down into maka (‘eye’ or mesh) and liʻi (‘little’ or ‘small’). Keao chose this name because it describes the small, net-like mesh of a tennis racket, in contrast to larger fishing nets.

The star cluster Makaliʻi is also important because it marks the start of the Makahiki season, a traditional time for sports and celebration, connecting it to Lono, the Hawaiian god of success and good fortune. This fits well with our mission, especially since the Kailua area, which is important to our work, was a major location for Makahiki sporting events centuries ago. The name therefore connects our organization to health, progress, and local history.