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.
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.
Election seasons of the past were melodic.
Unlike what seems to be a flurry of constant negativity we hear during the election season lately, when looking through the Hawaiian newspapers, the turn of the century was different—the election season was…melodic.
Lady Franklin and the 1862 London International Exhibition of Industry and Art
Lady Jane Franklin spent several months in Hawaiʻi where she was treated hospitably by King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. Kamehameha IV presented her with this ʻahu ʻula.
Kingdom Era Photographer: Henry Lyman Chase, part 2.
It has been a year since we first talked about photographer H. L. Chase. Looking through the English newspapers also yield information not found in Hawaiian, and likewise the Hawaiian newspapers often speak of things that the English do not. Meanwhile, if possible, we should not forget the other language papers.
Queen Liliʻuokalani Gives Waikahalulu Lands on her Seventy-Third Birthday for a Public Park.
Have you visited Waikahalulu Falls and the park surrounding it? Did you wonder why it is called Liliʻuokalani Park?
Na Wahi Pana o Kaʻū Nei.
Here is an article published in Nupepa Kuokoa that recalls some of the famous places in Kaʻū Hawaiʻi, written by P. M. Malumalu on April 21, 1871.
Schooling ʻAlalauā
Last week’s post consisted of a few articles on the topic of schooling fish. This week will focus more on the juvenile stage of ʻāweoweo, called ʻalalauā or ʻalalauwā.
Iʻa Kū—Schooling Fish
Iʻa kū (schooling or running fish) is one of the topics covered under local news.
Death of Moses Kuaaea Nakuina—115 Years Ago.
You might know Moses Kuaaea Nakuina (7/12/1867–8/3/1911) as a civil servant, or as a politician, or as a member of the clergy, but he was also a collector and teller of stories.
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.
