Whena (ii), a. Firm, steady. I poua iho ra te pou ki Rarotonga, kia tina, kia whena (M. 229). Tina te manawa, whena te manawa (M. 44).
whakawhena. 1. v.t. Stiffen, make taut. Whakawhena te tuara.
2. v.i. Stand firm against assault.
Williams Dictionary