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.
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.
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.
Hoʻikeea Hale
Along with Hawaiʻi’s first holiday, His Majesty King Kauikeaouli establishes a personal residence commemorating the return of sovereignty from Great Britain.
Do Not Underestimate the Coconut Tree.
Dear reader, here is yet another example of a call-to-action from the Hawaiian language newspapers that is still relevant today, 157 years later.
Royal Hawaiian Band Victorious 140 Years Ago!
In 1883, the Royal Hawaiian Band traveled across the Pacific to compete for musical honors at the Knights Templar Conclave held that year in San Francisco.
Uluhaimalama, Queen Liliʻuokalani’s Flower Garden
There is not much written about Uluhaimalama, the Queen’s flower garden in the uplands of Pauoa. But from what is written (and still sung about today), it must have been beautiful.
Kaʻahumanu Society in Hilo, 1907.
Kaʻahumanu Society in Hilo, 1907. Back to Library & Archives Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Hoku o Hawaii published on July 25, 1907. The Hawaiian
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.
