Where does “Kanoa” come from?

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

Ancestry of “Kanoa”, step by step

Kanoa traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Hawaiian

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Hawaiianto strike, hit, thrust, dash, hurl; container;...
2Proto-Polynesiantaʻa
3Proto-Austronesiantaqanto hold back; to keep in reserve

via Hawaiian noa

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Hawaiiannoarelease from taboo restrictions; a commoner; free...
Every word from Proto-Austronesian taqanEvery word from Proto-Polynesian taʻaEvery word from Hawaiian