Where does “Kalaʻi” come from?

Kalaʻi (Hawaiian) comes from Hawaiian kā, from Proto-Polynesian taʻa, from Proto-Austronesian taqan — to hold back; to keep in reserve.

Ancestry of “Kalaʻi”, step by step

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Hawaiian	kā	to strike, hit, thrust, dash, hurl; container;...
2	Proto-Polynesian	taʻa	—
3	Proto-Austronesian	taqan	to hold back; to keep in reserve

Kalaʻi — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer