'AIEA — Her Hawaiian first name is Makanakilakilamakani, or "gift of strong winds," but the shorter version is fine, said Alvah Scott Elementary sixth-grader Makana Shim.

"I was born on the night of a storm," she said, sneaking a peek at her mother, Sandra King, seated in the next chair.

King and her boyfriend, Richard Duenas, own Liquid Metal Tattoo & Piercing. With her seven body tattoos, lip and tongue piercings and outspoken personality, King is like heavy rock music to her daughter's classical pop. But their support of each other is pure harmony.

Makana, 11, is well-rounded. Her extracurricular activities include taekwondo and horseback riding. She enjoys reading, drawing and school, where she is among 12 students in the gifted and talented program.

As a fifth-grader and in her third year at Alvah Scott, Makana scored a perfect 99 on her SAT for math, her favorite subject.

Her reward?

"My mom asked my teacher to give me extra work," Makana said. "It's not difficult work, and I know it's better for me."

Makana is interested in becoming either a pediatrician or elementary school teacher.

Principal George Lai described Makana as a "typical Alvah Scott student because she is a responsible person. She's the vision of what a public education school wants its students to attain."

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.