Abbreviations
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Hae Hawaii, printed on August 10, 1859.
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
How do you save space, time, and money? One way the Hawaiian language newspapers accomplished this was by using abbreviations. The following are a few that appear on its pages, along with what they stand for.
General abbreviations:
&c. etc.
Image: Excerpt from “Na Manao Pili Hooponopono Aupuni, Kuokoa, Kaulike, &c. &c.” Ko Hawaii Ponoi, April 15, 1874, p. 1.
Do. ditto
Image: Excerpt from “Moku Hawaii.” Ka Hae Hawaii, August 10, 1859, p. 73.
Et al. and others
Image: “Ke Kau Kiure o Aperila.” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, April 12, 1884, p. 3.
Ibid. the same
Image: Excerpt from “Aha Kiekie,” Ke Au Okoa, June 20, 1867, p. 4.
Hawaiian-language-based abbreviations:
w/k wahine/kāne
woman/man; female/male
Image: “Hanau” and “Make,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, March 5, 1864, p. 3.
KHPA Kō Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina
Hawaiian Islands
Image: Excerpt from “Ka Mana o Komisina Jas. H. Blount.” Hawaii Holomua Puka Pule, May 20, 1893, p. 2.
Kona A. Kona ʻĀkau
N. Kona
Image: Excerpt from “Olelo Hoolaha.” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, March 5, 1864, p. 3.
L. H. editor (Luna Hoʻoponopono) and Mr. L. H. when addressing the editor.
Image: Excerpt from “Ka Moolelo o ka Ahaolelo 1870.” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, May 28, 1870, p. 2.
L. K. judge (Luna Kānāwai)
Image: Excerpt from “Ka Moolelo o ka Ahaolelo 1870.” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, May 28, 1870, p. 2.
M.H. year (Makahiki)
Image: Excerpt from “Na ke Aupuni.” Ka Elele Hawaii, June 8, 1848, p. 3.
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
