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.
Advertisements and Announcements
Advertisements, though most times tiny and insignificant looking, can add much to our understanding of history.
Words of Advice
The Hawaiian newspapers not only reported on the news, they would offer advice in light of what was happening.
Serial Histories Published as Books
The Hawaiian newspapers ran lengthy moʻolelo, both native and foreign, as serial columns. These entertaining and instructive stories would attract readers to subscribing to the papers so that they could be amongst the first to find out what the latest installment of the moʻolelo would reveal.
Serial Kaʻao Published as Books
The Hawaiian newspapers ran lengthy kaʻao, both native and foreign, as serial columns. These entertaining stories would attract readers to subscribing to the papers so that they could be amongst the first to find out what the latest installment of the kaʻao would reveal.
The Latest Foreign News
The Hawaiian newspapers not only were a source for local news and stories, but within its pages were published the latest news from outside of Hawaiʻi.
English Column in Ka Nupepa Kuokoa (1890–1891)
The Kuokoa ran an English column under the title, “Our English Column: ‘In Youth Prepare for Manhood.’” It began on April 5, 1890 and continued until January 3, 1891.
A Visit from Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority
Mahalo to Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority for paying us a visit the other week and for bringing with them a whole crew from ʻŌiwi TV.
Commentary on Hawaiian Language
Much about the Hawaiian language can be discovered through reading the newspapers. In its pages, specific commentary about the language itself can be found as well.
Advertisements and Announcements
Advertisements, though most times tiny and insignificant looking, can add much to our understanding of history.
Words of Advice
The Hawaiian newspapers not only reported on the news, they would offer advice in light of what was happening.
Serial Histories Published as Books
The Hawaiian newspapers ran lengthy moʻolelo, both native and foreign, as serial columns. These entertaining and instructive stories would attract readers to subscribing to the papers so that they could be amongst the first to find out what the latest installment of the moʻolelo would reveal.
Serial Kaʻao Published as Books
The Hawaiian newspapers ran lengthy kaʻao, both native and foreign, as serial columns. These entertaining stories would attract readers to subscribing to the papers so that they could be amongst the first to find out what the latest installment of the kaʻao would reveal.
The Latest Foreign News
The Hawaiian newspapers not only were a source for local news and stories, but within its pages were published the latest news from outside of Hawaiʻi.
English Column in Ka Nupepa Kuokoa (1890–1891)
The Kuokoa ran an English column under the title, “Our English Column: ‘In Youth Prepare for Manhood.’” It began on April 5, 1890 and continued until January 3, 1891.
A Visit from Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority
Mahalo to Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority for paying us a visit the other week and for bringing with them a whole crew from ʻŌiwi TV.
Commentary on Hawaiian Language
Much about the Hawaiian language can be discovered through reading the newspapers. In its pages, specific commentary about the language itself can be found as well.
