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.
Save up in the bank for those stormy days.
An article from Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, published on March 17, 1922, speaks of a time when the weather was carefully observed in both stormy and calm seasons.
Printing in the Newspapers.
A Kalākaua one-dollar coin could get your mele printed and read across the pae ‘āina and around the world.
Sir Peter H. Buck—Arts and Crafts of Hawaii is back in print!
Arts and Crafts of Hawaii by Te Rangi Hiroa is available once again after five years! What makes it even more special are the more than 350 newly digitized illustrations!
Travelogues—Waipiʻo Valley, Hawaiʻi Island, 1877
Travelogues, a common feature in the Hawaiian language newspapers not only gives a description of place in a given time, but also who lived in those places and what activities went on there.
Announcements—More than just lost dogs and store sales.
When you think of newspaper announcements, you might think of a reward offered for a lost pet, this week’s store discounts, movies and when they play at the theater in town, or details of an upcoming club meeting. Announcements however were at times emotional displays between man and wife.
Akoni Kaoo, a modern-day kūkini
Modern-day kūkini, Antone Kaoo, aka Akoni Kaoo (d. January 7, 1928), was born and raised in Waialua, and educated at Lahainaluna Seminary, where he received the nickname, “Lio Heihei o Waialua,” [Racing Horse of Waialua].
Beginnings of the Women’s Patriotic League of Hāna, 1897.
This article from the January 25, 1897 issue of the Hawaiian newspaper, Ka Makaainana, speaks of the formation of the Hāna branch of the Hui Hawaiʻi Aloha ʻĀina or the Hawaiian Patriotic League.
Fancy Waiʻōpua Drinks.
In an attempt to add some variety to the alcoholic beverages enjoyed by their readership, the author suggests 16 “Fancy Waiopua Drinks” to replace gin—the go-to drink of the day.
Generous in Death as in Life
John Papa ʻĪʻī is known for his generosity—while alive and beyond.
Ke Kumu Hawaii
Ke Kumu Hawaii was the first newspaper printed in Honolulu. It was published by the Sandwich Island Mission, edited by Reuben Tinker, and ran from November 12, 1834 to May 22, 1839.
Why Hawaiian language newspapers?
Hawaiian language newspapers not only served to spread local and international news across the archipelago and beyond, but likewise they extended greatly the reach of a person’s voice speaking their own language.
A Well-Made House.
A 104-year-old article from Nupepa Kuokoa describes the practices and steps involved in building a house.
More Access
The Library of Congress defines newspapers as: a serial publication, which is mainly designed to be a primary source of written information on current events, local, national, or international in scope. Newspapers contain a broad range of news on all subjects and activities and are not limited to any specific subject matter. Such news is intended either for the general public or for a particular ethnic, cultural, or national group.
Hawaiian Names for Political Candidates.
In the Hawaiian-language newspapers, most political candidates had a Hawaiian name in their advertisements whether their given name was in Hawaiian or another language. This was to appeal to Hawaiian-speaking voters, because ballots were printed in both Hawaiian and English.
News from correspondents afar.
Orramel Hinckley Gulick, or Oramela (Oremela) H. Kulika, as he was known in Hawaiian, was the publisher of the Alaula, a newspaper1 intended to educate children. He is ordained in 1862 and in 1870 was assigned by the American Board to teach in Japan. He leaves Hawaiʻi with his wife Ann Eliza (Clark) on June 23, 1870 aboard the Ekake (Ajax). He writes to his Alaula and the Kuokoa of his impressions along the way.
A hundred years since the passing of King Kamehameha I, 1919.
The commission for the Kamehameha Day celebrations in 1919 strove to make the centenary celebration memorable–but most of all to instill a great aloha within all Hawaiians for the day honoring their nation’s founder –Kamehameha I.
