A Big Island family is leaping with joy after an extra special delivery arrived Thursday.
From left, dad Makena Sr., Leap Day baby Mahina, 2-year-old brother Makena Jr. and mom Kanani Ohs pose for a photo Thursday night at Hilo Medical Center. (Courtesy of Sandy Torres)
Makena Sr. and Kanani Ohs of Nāʻālehu welcomed a baby daughter on Leap Day. Mahina Ohs joins the ranks of about only 5 million “leaplings” or “leapers” around the globe who were born on Feb. 29, the extra day added to the calendar just once every four years.
“I think it’s wonderful. It goes with her name,” said Mahina’s grandmother and Makena Sr.’s mother Sandy Torres of Mountain View, explaining that the newest Ohs’ name means “moon” in Hawaiian. “I just think it’s very unique, very special and the parents are just thrilled about it.”
Mahina was born at 1:28 p.m. Thursday at Hilo Medical Center. She was delivered via Cesarean section, weighing 7 lbs. 4 oz. and was 19 inches tall.
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She is the second child born to the couple, who are both 27 years old. Mahina has a 2-year-old brother Makena Jr., who is staying with Grandma in Mountain View while Mom, Dad and baby sister are still in the hospital.
Makena Jr. got to visit his new sister Thursday night.
“He’s very excited,” Torres said. “Gave Mahina a big kiss and Mommy a big kiss … He’s gonna be a wonderful big brother.”
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Torres said Mahina and her mom are tentatively set to be discharged Saturday, but the family is playing it day-by-day. But everyone is doing well.
“Mahina is healthy, big, smiling and just beautiful,” Torres said.
She thinks there was another Leap Day baby born later Thursday at the Hilo hospital, but wasn’t sure.
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There were no babies born Thursday at Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital in Waimea. Big Island Now reached out to Hilo Medical Center spokesperson via phone and text Friday; however, had not heard back from them by the time this story was published.
Mahina Ohs, who was born on Leap Day, Feb. 29, sleeps with a lei around her at Hilo Medical Center. (Courtesy of Sandy Torres)
Mahina, the new daughter of Makena Sr. and Kanani Ohs of Nāʻālehu, was born Feb. 29 at Hilo Medical Center, weighing 7 lbs. 4 oz. and was 19 inches tall. (Courtesy of Sandy Torres)
Nathan Christophel Nathan Christophel is a full-time reporter with Pacific Media Group. He has more than 25 years of experience in journalism as a reporter, copy editor and page designer. He previously worked at the Hawaii Tribune-Herald in Hilo. Nathan can be reached at [email protected] Read Full Bio
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