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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.

Kauaʻula, the Powerful Wind of Lahaina 

In 1867, a description of Lahaina appears in the newspaper Ke Au Okoa, submitted by a writer(s) who simply identify as C & K of Lahaina. This lengthy description covers multiple topics including a detailed description of the Kauaʻula, the powerful wind of Lahaina.

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Hōʻala Hou ʻia Ana

Published on the front page of the August 2, 1862 issue of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, shortly after the historic fire that claimed the original structure of Lahainaluna Seminary School was a mele kanikau, or song of lamentation. May its words not only bring feelings of familiarity and intimacy to what was lost, but after a period of mourning and healing, may it offer a sense of determination and inspiration to rebuild after this tragedy.

Read More »

Back To School

Printed in 1877, Lahainaluna Seminary prepared for their new school year to begin in the coming July and showcased their class subjects and course material for each grade level. 

Read More »

Hoʻikeea Hale

Along with Hawaiʻi’s first holiday, His Majesty King Kauikeaouli establishes a personal residence commemorating the return of sovereignty from Great Britain.

Read More »

Kauaʻula, the Powerful Wind of Lahaina 

In 1867, a description of Lahaina appears in the newspaper Ke Au Okoa, submitted by a writer(s) who simply identify as C & K of Lahaina. This lengthy description covers multiple topics including a detailed description of the Kauaʻula, the powerful wind of Lahaina.

Read More »

Hōʻala Hou ʻia Ana

Published on the front page of the August 2, 1862 issue of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, shortly after the historic fire that claimed the original structure of Lahainaluna Seminary School was a mele kanikau, or song of lamentation. May its words not only bring feelings of familiarity and intimacy to what was lost, but after a period of mourning and healing, may it offer a sense of determination and inspiration to rebuild after this tragedy.

Read More »

Back To School

Printed in 1877, Lahainaluna Seminary prepared for their new school year to begin in the coming July and showcased their class subjects and course material for each grade level. 

Read More »

Hoʻikeea Hale

Along with Hawaiʻi’s first holiday, His Majesty King Kauikeaouli establishes a personal residence commemorating the return of sovereignty from Great Britain.

Read More »

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