This isn’t about the films, though. It’s about the wonderful addition to Orlando, Florida’s, SeaWorld increasing the number of their killer whales to seven of the forty-two known to be held in captivity. The addition is a newborn back in October of 2010. What makes it endearing is the process gone with adding this little precious baby whale to the fold of SeaWorld’s water-filled sanctuary.

A Facebook poll was held to actually name the baby whale! It was a landslide, too.

The public decided against such names suggested as ‘Nico’–which stands for Nikos (victory of the people) of Greek language–and the Japanese ‘Haruki’ which stands for “shining brightly”. The official name, which harnessed about 55% of the vote (again, landslide), is none other than ‘Makaio’, Hawaiian for “gift of God”. Pretty fitting, one would think. The name is pronounced ‘Muh-KI-oh’.

It’s well celebrated there in SeaWorld given that Makaio’s mother is also one of the killer whales residing, named Katina, who was born in Iceland back in 1978. Some of Makaio’s other ‘SeaWorld family members’ (not by blood) include Tilikum who was born in Iceland back in 1983, Kayla born in captivity around 1988, Trua born in captivity in 2005, Nalani born in captivity right in 2006, and last but not least Malia born in captivity in 2007.

Understand that it is a lovely joy given Malia was the last born before this new addition, aptly named Makaio. SeaWorld had lost a stillborn calf and also the late mother named Taima back in June of 2010; so a new life born of God was a welcome turn of events for the authorities and workers and fans of SeaWorld. A “gift of God”, it truly was.

Currently Makaio is enjoying the new family in Florida as we speak. See SeaWorld and witness the “gift of God’ yourself, as christened by the public!