What is the name of the lava monster in Moana?

The lava monster in Moana is named Te Kā. She is the fiery antagonist who attacks Moana and Maui as they approach Te Fiti’s island, preventing them from returning the stolen heart.

Te Kā is not simply a separate monster with no connection to the story’s goddess. Near the climax, Moana realizes that Te Kā is actually Te Fiti after Te Fiti’s heart was taken by Maui. Without the heart, the life-giving goddess became a destructive force, and the surrounding ocean and islands suffered from blight.

Moana does not defeat Te Kā through brute force. She recognizes Te Fiti, returns the heart, and restores her identity. The distinction matters because Te Fiti and Te Kā represent two states of the same character: creation and life on one side, anger and destruction on the other. Kakamora are coconut-armored pirates, while Tamatoa is the giant crab.