The inoa (name) "Kilinahe" is proposed by the KSMHS Hawaiian Language 3 class for the KSD Hawai`i housing development on Maha Road, Makawao, Maui. Great care was taken to compose this inoa with meticulous consideration to the traditional Hawaiian name-composing ideals of mana`o wehewehe (definition), kaona (poetic hidden meaning), and ho `okaulike (intentional balancing) to achieve a name that is kfipono (appropriate) for the area's history, environment, and natural phenomena.

The phrase forming the proper name "Kilinahe" is "kili nahe (light, soft, gentle rain; pleasant patter of gentle rain; to rain gently {Pukui & Elbert. Hawaiian Dictionary. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1971.D." Outwardly, this name honors the resident rain of Makawao that greeted our students upon visiting the housing site, the light and misty `Okiu. This phenomenon was a bit mystifying as the source of the rain was not seen. However, all agreed that it was an omen of invitation and welcome.

Subsequently, when rain fell during the initial class discussion of the name, "Kilinahe" was singled out and chosen from a list of over a dozen suggestions. Blessings were once again apparent when the rain fell one more time on the day of our first formal presentation of this inoa. In every case, the haumdna (students) recognized the rain as visits from our kiipuna (elders), and later as a sign of their approval of the name "Kilinahe."

"Place names are far from static and their numbers increase more rapidly than most parts of an individual's total lexicon. Names are constantly being given to new houses and buildings, land holdings, airstrips, streets, and towns, and old names are replaced by new ones. The change from rural to urban living in Hawari, the rapid increase in population by birth and immigration, the development of new towns and the expansion of old ones, with attendant obliteration of natural landmarks, and the gradual disappearance of the Hawaiian language, have brought many additions and changes in the names of places, as well as changes in other aspects of island life (Pukui, Elbert, Mookini. Place Names of Hawari. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1974. x.)."