HONOLULU (KHON2) – In the ahupuaʻa of Wailuku, which lies in the moku of Pūʻali Komohana on the beautiful island of Maui, stands a street that helps us to learn how to count. 

We are speaking ofʻEhā St.

The street nameʻEhā translates as the number “four” or “four times,” but it could vary depending on spelling and pronunciation.

Counting in the Hawaiian language, or ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, can seem intimidating so let’s just learn the basics. 

Keep in mind that Hawaiian words are spoken with short vowels and diacritical markers used can change the meaning.

Numbers 1-10 are as follows:

‘ekahi, ‘elua, ‘ekolu, ‘eha, ‘elima, ‘eono, ‘ehiku, ʻewalu, ‘eiwa, ‘umi.

To be able to count to higher numbers, it is important that these numbers are memorized.

The word ʻehā has other meanings aside from the number “four.” 

Spelt with kahakō markers over both vowels, ēhā refers to portions of chants which repeat syllables, similar to English songs using “tra-la-la.”

ʻEha, spelt with just anʻokina, translates as “hurt or pain” which can be found in the name of Queen Liliʻuokalani.

Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamakaʻeha was the name of Hawaiʻi’s Queen with Liliʻuokalani becoming her title.

As names were often given in commemoration of an event, many of her names reflect such an incident.

Liliʻu means “smarting,” Loloku means “tearful,” Walania means “a burning pain” and Kamakaʻeha means “sore eyes.”

Those names bring our attention to the daughter of King Kamehameha I, High Chiefess Kīnaʻu.

Story shares that during the Queen’s birth, Kīnaʻu had developed an eye infection and was kept in a dark room until she was well once again.

Did you know?  Now you do!