Here's why:
* "Pearl Harbor" is an English name. It refers to the harbor's shape, resembling a pearl oyster.
* Hawaiian place names are descriptive. They often refer to natural features, cultural significance, or historical events.
* The area was not a significant Hawaiian settlement. It was primarily a naval base established by the United States.
However, we can break down the elements of "Pearl Harbor" into Hawaiian terms:
* "Pearl" could be translated as "pōhaku makamae" (precious stone).
* "Harbor" could be "awa" (bay) or "keʻehi" (harbor).
Therefore, a possible translation of "Pearl Harbor" in Hawaiian could be something like:
* "Awa Pōhaku Makamae" (Precious Stone Bay)
* "Keʻehi Pōhaku Makamae" (Precious Stone Harbor)
However, these translations wouldn't be official or commonly used names. The area is simply known as "Pērl Harbor" in Hawaiian, directly borrowing the English name.