He Aupuni Palapala
Cover Image: Detail of front page of the January 1, 1862 issue of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa. Photo by David Franzen, ©2009 Bishop Museum Archives. QM 204791.
He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers is an ambitious, multi-year collaboration between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu, supported by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and with contributions from Kamehameha Schools. Its goals are to catalog the existing nūpepa (Hawaiian language newspapers) in public repositories in Hawaiʻi, recording the condition of each page. It will also redigitize and partner with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Papakilo Database to make word searchable the clearest pages available and to upload them online for free public access.
The Hawaiian language newspapers total more than 100,000 pages of text, encompassing practically all aspects of Hawaiian life, culture, literature, environment, and history—told in the words of Hawaiians of the day.
Aole o’u makemake e paio aku, he makemake ko’u e pololei ka moolelo o ko’u one hanau, aole na ka malihini e ao mai ia’u i ka mooolelo o ko’u lahui, na’u e ao aku i ka moolelo i ka malihini.
[I have no desire to argue, I want the history of my homeland to be accurate; it is not for the foreigner to teach me the history of my people, it is for me to teach it to the foreigner.]
—S. M. Kamakau, “Hooheihei ka Nukahalale…” Ke Au Okoa, 10/16/1865, p. 1
Aole o’u makemake e paio aku, he makemake ko’u e pololei ka moolelo o ko’u one hanau, aole na ka malihini e ao mai ia’u i ka mooolelo o ko’u lahui, na’u e ao aku i ka moolelo i ka malihini.
[I have no desire to argue, I want the history of my homeland to be accurate; it is not for the foreigner to teach me the history of my people, it is for me to teach it to the foreigner.]
—S. M. Kamakau, “Hooheihei ka Nukahalale…” Ke Au Okoa, 10/16/1865, p. 1
Detail of front page of the January 1, 1862 issue of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa. Photo by David Franzen, ©2009 Bishop Museum Archives. QM 204791.
May Day, 1944.
With the world and Hawaiʻi in the middle of World War II, many yearly festivities were canceled, including some celebrating Lei Day.
Hawaiian language columns in English newspapers
English language newspapers often featured a column or two in Hawaiian.
Record the Old Mele
Newspapers were used to record traditions that were fading from memory. As people left the countryside for the excitement of town, their connections to the older generations and the old ways grew farther.
Hula Resilience
Following the arrival of the missionaries, many traditions including hula were not looked upon favorably.
Newspapers are Busy During the Election Season.
Newspaper presses usually did more than just print a single newspaper title.
Unpaid Subscriptions, 1845.
Stephen Langhern Desha, editor of the Hilo newspaper Hoku o Hawaii appeals to conscience of his readership to try and get them to pay for their subscriptions.
Advice from Samuel Mānaiakalani Kamakau to His King, 1845.
The famous historian S. M. Kamakau throughout his career gives advice to many, including Kamehameha III.
A Meeting of the People, Lahaina, Maui, 150 years ago.
Politics was not something just reserved for the legislature, the nation’s policies were discussed and argued about in meetings held amongst makaʻāinana in the countryside as well.
May Day, 1944.
With the world and Hawaiʻi in the middle of World War II, many yearly festivities were canceled, including some celebrating Lei Day.
Hawaiian language columns in English newspapers
English language newspapers often featured a column or two in Hawaiian.
Record the Old Mele
Newspapers were used to record traditions that were fading from memory. As people left the countryside for the excitement of town, their connections to the older generations and the old ways grew farther.
Hula Resilience
Following the arrival of the missionaries, many traditions including hula were not looked upon favorably.
Newspapers are Busy During the Election Season.
Newspaper presses usually did more than just print a single newspaper title.
Unpaid Subscriptions, 1845.
Stephen Langhern Desha, editor of the Hilo newspaper Hoku o Hawaii appeals to conscience of his readership to try and get them to pay for their subscriptions.
Advice from Samuel Mānaiakalani Kamakau to His King, 1845.
The famous historian S. M. Kamakau throughout his career gives advice to many, including Kamehameha III.
A Meeting of the People, Lahaina, Maui, 150 years ago.
Politics was not something just reserved for the legislature, the nation’s policies were discussed and argued about in meetings held amongst makaʻāinana in the countryside as well.
