HONOLULU (KHON2) – In the ahupuaʻa of Wailuku, which lies in the moku of Pūʻali Komohana here on the island of Maui, stands a street that can help us learn directions. 

We are speaking of Waena St.

The Hawaiian word waena has a couple of translations, one being “middle, between or center” as in location.

But when giving directions, markers such as i or ma, meaning “in, on or at,” precede locational words.

Therefore, the phrase i waena or ma waena properly translates as “in the middle or in between.”

Luna means “high or upper.” 

When something is located above or on top, the phrase i luna means “on top or above.” 

Lalo means “down or downward.” 

When something is located below or under, the phrase i lalo means “below or under.”

Other common terms used include ma uka, meaning towards the mountain, and ma kai, meaning towards to ocean.

Now, another meaning for waena is a cultivated field or garden. 

Many plants are native to Hawaiʻi, meaning they found their way here naturally. 

On the contrary, there are many that were introduced.

While there many non-native plants, approximately twenty were brought to Hawaiʻi via the canoes of the first Hawaiians.

Known as “canoe plants,” these are a few that may be misunderstood as native.

What is known as the older brother to man, the kalo is actually a canoe plant yet the main crop for Hawaiians.

The kukui tree was introduced, known in English as the candlenut tree, as the oil from its kernel was used as a candle.

And interestingly, sugar cane, or kō, was originally brought to the islands by Hawaiians only to then play a critical role in the Kingdom’s illegal overthrow and annexation.

Did you know?  Now you do!