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.
Words to Remind, Inspire, and Uplift
Joseph Kahoʻoluhi Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu was many things; among these, a politician, an artist, and a composer, but above all, he was a patriot.
Digitization of Ka Hoku o Hawaii Microfilms: 1906–1917
While cataloging the Bishop Museum collection of Ka Hoku o Hawaii, we realized that the first decade of the Hilo newspaper images were microfilmed and yet for some reason not available online.
Digitizing Preparations Now Underway
The much awaited set up and calibration of our new Digital Transitions Titan machine is complete and we received initial training early September!
News Around Town, News to Instruct
Newspapers informed their readership of news, both foreign and domestic.
Linking the Past to the Present, Then and Now
Newspapers not only reported on the happenings of the day, but they would often supply related historical and traditional information related to the story, connecting the past with the present.
Following After the Footsteps of the Aliʻi
Newspapers reported on the latest happenings within the royal circle, whether they were on an excursion to climb Waiʻaleʻale, visiting their people in Kalaupapa, or meeting with world leaders across the globe.
A Place to Record Agricultural Knowledge
Newspapers were a place where information was requested and a place where information was supplied. Much of this knowledge asked for and given dealt with traditional agricultural practices.
A Place to Talk About Place
Newspapers were a place to talk about wahi pana or storied places. In its pages traditions could be recorded and stored away for future generations, lest the stories be forgotten.
Words to Remind, Inspire, and Uplift
Joseph Kahoʻoluhi Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu was many things; among these, a politician, an artist, and a composer, but above all, he was a patriot.
Digitization of Ka Hoku o Hawaii Microfilms: 1906–1917
While cataloging the Bishop Museum collection of Ka Hoku o Hawaii, we realized that the first decade of the Hilo newspaper images were microfilmed and yet for some reason not available online.
Digitizing Preparations Now Underway
The much awaited set up and calibration of our new Digital Transitions Titan machine is complete and we received initial training early September!
News Around Town, News to Instruct
Newspapers informed their readership of news, both foreign and domestic.
Linking the Past to the Present, Then and Now
Newspapers not only reported on the happenings of the day, but they would often supply related historical and traditional information related to the story, connecting the past with the present.
Following After the Footsteps of the Aliʻi
Newspapers reported on the latest happenings within the royal circle, whether they were on an excursion to climb Waiʻaleʻale, visiting their people in Kalaupapa, or meeting with world leaders across the globe.
A Place to Record Agricultural Knowledge
Newspapers were a place where information was requested and a place where information was supplied. Much of this knowledge asked for and given dealt with traditional agricultural practices.
A Place to Talk About Place
Newspapers were a place to talk about wahi pana or storied places. In its pages traditions could be recorded and stored away for future generations, lest the stories be forgotten.
