English Column in Ka Nupepa Kuokoa (1890–1891)
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa published on April 5, 1890.
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
Dear Reader, the Kuokoa ran an English column under the title, “Our English Column: ‘In Youth Prepare for Manhood.’” It began on April 5, 1890 and continued until January 3, 1891.
The following article explains the intent behind the weekly column. It seems it was not aiming to replace the Hawaiian language, but to foster a new bilingual generation.
Image: “Ko Kakou Kolamu Olelo Haole.” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, April 5, 1890, p. 2.
Our English Language Column
On the fourth page of our paper will be seen our column in the English language. This column will continue as long as it is seen as something valuable for the readers of this paper. This was started for the benefit of those learning English, so that we become used to reading and expressing thoughts in that language. For those of our readers who have some knowledge of English, please take a look at the column and read it, think about the questions and riddles that are printed, and answer in English, so that your thoughts are expressed in that language. The value of learning English is obtaining knowledge through that language, and being capable of expressing ideas in that language, and understanding haole thought. And the idea behind regularly printing this column is to help children to practice and to become proficient in that language just as they are proficient in the mother tongue of this land.
Send responses and comments for the column to
H. R. Hitchcock,
Hilo, Hawaii.
and he will select and edit and send them to us here in Honolulu. In that way our youth seeking expertise in English will be able to broadly converse in that language, and that will be a means for them to increase their proficiency.
(Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, 4/5/1890, p. 2)
Image: Kamehameha Boys’ School classroom; Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. ca. 1925. Photo by Ray Jerome Baker, Bishop Museum Archives. SP 37247b.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org
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.
