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.
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.
Concerns of the Day in Hawaiʻi and the World at Large
Concerns of the Day in Hawaiʻi and the World at Large Back to Library & Archives Cover Image: Masthead of Lahui Hawaii published on June
Announcements and Advertisements
Dear Reader, Hawaiian language newspapers served as a modern messenger. It was where pronouncements were made by the monarchs, new laws were announced, vital statistics were reported, and the latest deals were advertised by businesses.
Traditional Knowledge: Canoe Building
Dear Reader, Hawaiian language newspapers were a place for the recording of traditional knowledge: from genealogy, to mele, to place names, to wind and rain names for different lands.
Bicentennial of Printing in Hawaiʻi
While the first Hawaiian language newspaper, Ka Lama Hawaii, began its run on February 14, 1834, printing had already been going on in earnest for over ten years prior. The first pages came of the press 200 years ago on January 7, 1822.
New Year Calendars
The Hawaiian language newspapers often gave out incentives at the start of the new year to draw subscribers.
Hapenuia!
The Hawaiian language newspapers were a place where people across the archipelago and beyond wrote in to report on local happenings.
Mele Kalikimaka!
This week we feature a story about giving.
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.
Concerns of the Day in Hawaiʻi and the World at Large
Concerns of the Day in Hawaiʻi and the World at Large Back to Library & Archives Cover Image: Masthead of Lahui Hawaii published on June
Announcements and Advertisements
Dear Reader, Hawaiian language newspapers served as a modern messenger. It was where pronouncements were made by the monarchs, new laws were announced, vital statistics were reported, and the latest deals were advertised by businesses.
Traditional Knowledge: Canoe Building
Dear Reader, Hawaiian language newspapers were a place for the recording of traditional knowledge: from genealogy, to mele, to place names, to wind and rain names for different lands.
Bicentennial of Printing in Hawaiʻi
While the first Hawaiian language newspaper, Ka Lama Hawaii, began its run on February 14, 1834, printing had already been going on in earnest for over ten years prior. The first pages came of the press 200 years ago on January 7, 1822.
New Year Calendars
The Hawaiian language newspapers often gave out incentives at the start of the new year to draw subscribers.
Hapenuia!
The Hawaiian language newspapers were a place where people across the archipelago and beyond wrote in to report on local happenings.
Mele Kalikimaka!
This week we feature a story about giving.
