The Important Work Continues
Cover Image: The Digital Transitions Titan machine allows He Aupuni Palapala to take high-resolution digital images of Hawaiian language newspapers of all sizes.
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
Dear Reader,
He Aupuni Palapala has now digitized over half of the nūpepa ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi stored at Bishop Museum Library & Archives, the largest collection of Hawaiian language newspapers in the world.
Partnered with Awaiaulu, we continue to work toward our goal of creating an entirely new and searchable image repository available for unrestricted, free online access.
Over 15,000 newly digitized pages are being prepped for launch on OHA’s Papakilo Database. Working with our delicate nūpepa is no easy feat, and we are thankful for the dedication of our highly trained staff and the support provided by Kamehameha Schools.
Here’s a preview of our high-resolution images compared to the microfilm scans currently available online.
Image: Microfilm scan of the front page of Ka Hoku o Hawaii, June 5, 1940, found online at papakilodatabase.com.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
Image: Newly digitized front page of Ka Hoku o Hawaii, June 5, 1940, captured by He Aupuni Palapala.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
On June 5, 1940, Ka Hoku o Hawaii celebrated its 34th anniversary with a rare pop of red color on its front page. This eye-catching detail is absent from the online microfilm scan.
Image: “He Paa Mare Maikai,” Ka Hoku o Hawaii, October 16, 1940, p. 2. Found online at papakilodatabase.com.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
Image: “He Paa Mare Maikai,” Ka Hoku o Hawaii, October 16, 1940, p. 2. Newly digitized by He Aupuni Palapala.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
A wedding photo of Emiliano Barroga and Anna Keolaanalani Lia Kalainaina, daughter of Samuel Lia Kalainaina, can be found on page 2 of the October 16, 1940 issue of Ka Hoku o Hawaii.
The newly digitized image reveals the faces of the couple, while the online microfilm scan leaves much to the viewer’s imagination. How meaningful it could be to discover your own family members in the nūpepa and see their faces clearly.
“Mele O Na Moho” is a continuation of political songs which begin on the first page. If you look closely, you can see that the microfilm scan was taken from the exact same nūpepa digitized by He Aupuni Palapala. Note the increase in legibility despite the ink bleed and smudges commonly found in print.
Image: “Mele O Na Moho,” Ka Hoku o Hawaii, October 16, 1940, p. 2. Found online at papakilodatabase.com.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
Image: “Mele O Na Moho,” Ka Hoku o Hawaii, October 16, 1940, p. 2. Newly digitized by He Aupuni Palapala.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
