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.
ʻŪniki Hula at Halehaku, Hāmākua Loa, Maui, 1868
This week’s post was contributed by team member, Kilinoe Kimura. With the annual Merrie Monarch Hula competition being just days away, we’d like to honor this season with an article from Ka Nupepa Kuokoa that highlights the commitment to hula of those who came before. At Halehaku, Maui, on August 5, 1868, a hula ʻūniki (graduation) was held. The author of this article, who goes by the initials S. K. K., on the surface seems to be criticizing the hula school and its activities. But what if he is simply spreading the word that there is a hula group on Maui. Is S. K. K. getting free ad space?
Sāmoa, Host of the 7th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
On March 21st, 1887, kings Kalākaua and Malietoa Laupepa concluded a treaty in which the latter “freely and voluntarily… enter[s] into a political confederation with… Kalakaua… and… give[s] this solemn pledge that [He] will conform to whatever measures may hereafter be adopted by His Majesty.”
Hawaiians in the Marshall Islands
Hawaiians made an impact across the Pacific, and some were even commemorated for it in the native language newspapers.
Rarotonga, Host of the 6th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Dear Reader, this week’s post honors the Cook Islands which, in 1992, became the 6th nation to host the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture. This festival was held in Rarotonga and celebrated the ocean-voyaging heritage of Oceania.
A 125-Year-Old Message Just As Important Today Than Ever
Dear Reader, 125 years ago today, the Women’s Hawaiian Relief Society prepared a big lūʻau at the Kapiʻolani Maternity Home for the benefit of those who were poverty stricken in the city of Honolulu. This article was a voice of encouragement calling out to those who were able, to help this cause.
Australia, Host of the 5th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Australia, Host of the 5th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture Back to Library & Archives Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa published on
He Leo Hoʻolaha No Nā ʻŌlelo Noʻeau
Dear Reader, this week’s post honors mahina ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in showcasing an effort to preserve Hawaiian language and knowledge at the Bishop Museum.
Tahiti, Host of the 4th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Dear Reader, this week’s post honors Tahiti which, in 1985, became the 4th nation to host the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, under the theme, “My Pacific.”
ʻŪniki Hula at Halehaku, Hāmākua Loa, Maui, 1868
This week’s post was contributed by team member, Kilinoe Kimura. With the annual Merrie Monarch Hula competition being just days away, we’d like to honor this season with an article from Ka Nupepa Kuokoa that highlights the commitment to hula of those who came before. At Halehaku, Maui, on August 5, 1868, a hula ʻūniki (graduation) was held. The author of this article, who goes by the initials S. K. K., on the surface seems to be criticizing the hula school and its activities. But what if he is simply spreading the word that there is a hula group on Maui. Is S. K. K. getting free ad space?
Sāmoa, Host of the 7th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
On March 21st, 1887, kings Kalākaua and Malietoa Laupepa concluded a treaty in which the latter “freely and voluntarily… enter[s] into a political confederation with… Kalakaua… and… give[s] this solemn pledge that [He] will conform to whatever measures may hereafter be adopted by His Majesty.”
Hawaiians in the Marshall Islands
Hawaiians made an impact across the Pacific, and some were even commemorated for it in the native language newspapers.
Rarotonga, Host of the 6th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Dear Reader, this week’s post honors the Cook Islands which, in 1992, became the 6th nation to host the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture. This festival was held in Rarotonga and celebrated the ocean-voyaging heritage of Oceania.
A 125-Year-Old Message Just As Important Today Than Ever
Dear Reader, 125 years ago today, the Women’s Hawaiian Relief Society prepared a big lūʻau at the Kapiʻolani Maternity Home for the benefit of those who were poverty stricken in the city of Honolulu. This article was a voice of encouragement calling out to those who were able, to help this cause.
Australia, Host of the 5th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Australia, Host of the 5th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture Back to Library & Archives Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa published on
He Leo Hoʻolaha No Nā ʻŌlelo Noʻeau
Dear Reader, this week’s post honors mahina ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in showcasing an effort to preserve Hawaiian language and knowledge at the Bishop Museum.
Tahiti, Host of the 4th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Dear Reader, this week’s post honors Tahiti which, in 1985, became the 4th nation to host the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, under the theme, “My Pacific.”
