SneakerNews: What’s the origin of the name Aina?
Nathan VanHook: The name of the shoe pays respect to our friend and colleague Masaki, and is named after his daughter Aina who is 2 years old now and full of energy. The name Aina fits the shoe perfectly, AINA means Love (AI) and Greens as well as Beautiful (NA) in Japanese and means Land/Earth in Hawaiian. The Aina has a nautical look while also being very crafted with its natural aesthetic and woven pattern, perfect for the Islands. During long sea voyages sailors/fishermen often desire nothing more than to see the sight of the land. The Nike Aina Chukka ND embodies that love of the earth, and enjoying your time at sea and the feeling of returning to land after a journey. The first colorway to come out actually has a green sole, to match the shoe’s name, and Aina has a little custom pair made just for her.
