Latest News
January 4, 2025
On January 4th, 2025 at 11 AM HST, the Papakilo Database and Native Hawaiian Databook will be down for server maintenance. Downtime should last approximately 8 hours, with both websites returning online around 7:00 PM on Jan 4th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding. Happy Holidays!
December 12, 2024
In partnership with the 'Aha Kane Foundation and Hui Iwi Kuamo'o, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is proud to announce the release of the Ka'imina'auao Ka'eo Database. This collection of records is a comprehensive listing of Hawaiian cultural objects housed by museums in the United States. Created as a tool to assist Native Hawaiian families, practitioners, and researchers in locating Native Hawaiian objects, this listing is intended to support practitioners perpetuating the creation of these objects and claims for repatriation.
Pursuant to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, museums were required to provide Native Hawaiian organizations with summaries of cultural items possibly subject to the provisions of federal law. The museum records and information provided to Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i and Hui Iwi Kuamo'o were compiled into this database.
To access this collection, click on Collections Outside Hawai'i under the Search by Collection page or CLICK HERE.
October 1, 2024
OHA is proud to announce the release of Bishop Museum's Historic Waikiki Photo Collection. Spanning from 1890 - 1974, this 60 photo collection offers a snapshot into life in Waikiki during its golden years.
To access Bishop Museum's Historic Waikiki Photo Collection, CLICK HERE.
September 1, 2024
The final collections from Lahaina Restoration Foundation's collaboration with OHA are now available to be accessed in the Papakilo Database. The Pioneer Mill Collections include 880 Housing Records and 74 Maps that detail sugar plantation life in the late 1800's. Information such as housing descriptions, occupants and maps can be utilized for retracing genealogical steps in Lahaina.
To access Pioneer Mill's Housing Records and Maps collections, CLICK HERE.
This concludes the addition of 1,499 records from OHA's partnership with the Lahaina Restoration Foundation (LRF). Mahalo nui to LRF for working to preserve these valuable collections which are now preserved despite the loss of the physical copies in the 2023 Maui Fires.
August 21, 2024
The Lahaina Restoration Foundation's Baldwin Family Letter Collection is now available to be accessed in the Papakilo Database. This valuable collection includes 167 letters, preserved by the famous Lahaina Family, that details life experiences from 1830 - 1868, complementing the 699 records that are available from the Hawai'i Mission Houses' Missionary Letters Collection.
To access the Baldwin Family Letter Collection, CLICK HERE.
August 14, 2024
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is pleased to add to the continued release of Lahaina collections that were saved from the 2023 Maui Fires as a result of its partnership with the Lahaina Restoration Foundation (LRF).
As the second of five LRF collections to be released in the month of August, the Baldwin Family Photograph Collection includes 80 photos spanning from the 1850's to 1972, portraying various members of the Baldwin family and their interactions with Lahaina's community members. Each photo has a detailed summary of the individuals that are included in the photographs along with information about photo locations, clothing styles and much more.
To access the Baldwin Family Photography Collections, CLICK HERE.
August 7, 2024
In honor of the one-year memorial of the 2023 Maui Fires, the Papakilo Database is proud to release the Lahaina Historic Photography collection, the first of five collections that are the result of OHA's partnership with the Lahaina Restoration Foundation.
In 2022, the Lahaina Restoration Foundation (LRF) celebrated their 60-year anniversary and to commemorate such an auspicious milestone, OHA and LRF entered into a partnership that would assist LRF with the digitization of various collections. This agreement included the Baldwin Family Collections, Historic Lahaina Photograph Collection, and the Pioneer Mill Collections. Like many of the families and businesses of West Maui, LRF was devastated by the 2023 Maui Fires, losing roughly 95% of its collections and numerous historic buildings. Fortunately, digitization of the collections included in the OHA partnership was completed and will forever live on to be accessible to the public despite the loss of the physical counterparts.
To access and search Lahaina Restoration Foundation's Historic Lahaina Photography Collection, CLICK HERE.
March 6, 2024
The Papakilo Database's collection of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' monthly publication of Ka Wai Ola O OHA has been updated to include all 492 issues ranging from October 1980 - December 2023 and is now serachable within the Newspapers Collection.
To search Ka Wai Ola issues, conduct an Advanced Search by CLICKING HERE, select Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs in the Limit Search by Title section, and include a search term and/or date range. Use quotes to narrow down your search term results to an exact phrase. Example: "Lā Kūʻokoʻa"
February 1, 2023
OHA supports the launch of web-based Papa Kuhikuhi Po'e Unuhi - a directory of Hawaiian Language Translators. This collaborative project between CNHA and Kanaeokana provides a place for individuals, businesses, and government agencies to locate Hawaiian language translation professionals.
The goal of the directory is to help meet the growing demand for Hawaiian language translation services and consultations, both big and small. Users of Papa Kuhikuhi Po'e Unuhi can scroll for a translator that meets their specific translation needs and contact the translators directly to make an inquiry.
Papa Kuhikuhi Po'e Unihi is co-managed as a free service to the community. Inquiries regarding the directory can be emailed to advocacy@kanaeokana.net. To view the directory, please visit poeunihi.net.
November 21, 2022
In partnership with the Institute of Hawaiian Language Research and Translation (IHLRT), the ‘Ike Wai collection is now accessible within the Papakilo Database. ʻIke Wai is an “interdisciplinary project that aims to increase understanding of Hawaiian island hydrology to provide improved data for decision-making tools that address the challenges to water sustainability from climate variability, increasing population demands, and water contamination.”
The 107 record collection reflects water quality and recharge studies in ʻEwa, Oʻahu and Kona, Hawaiʻi and includes records and translations from the Hawaiian Language newspapers that include, but are not limited to, the following recurring columns – Na Hoonanea o ka Manawa, Ke Kalaiwaa, Na Upena Lawai’a and many more. This collection represents a collaborative project provided by the IHLRT, administered by the University of Hawaiʻi’s EPSCoR program (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research).
To start searching the ʻIke Wai Collection, Click Here.
June 29, 2022
We are currently experiencing some server issues and are addressing it at this time. Mahalo for your patience as we hope to be back online shortly. *** This issue has been resolved. Mahalo for your patience and we apologize for the inconvenience.***
Dec. 31, 2021
Star Advertiser Article on the Papakilo Database: "Invaluable Native Hawaiian database turns 10"
Dec. 12, 2021
The final segment of the Papakilo webinar series will focus on land title research and how to utilize the Māhele Record collection within the Papakilo Database. Document the privatization of land in Hawaiʻi, the Māhele Records consist of the Land Commission Awards, Royal Patents, Native and Foreign Testimony, and Native and Foreign Register, and are a tremendous value ofr Hawaiʻi land researchers.
Click Here to watch the December 12th webinar, and/or Click Here to watch the December 15th webinar.
Nov. 12, 2021
As one of the original partners of the Papakilo Database, the Bishop Museum has contributed a number of vital collections that users access on a regular basis. From the Hawaiian Language Newspapers and the Hawaiian Ethnological Notes, to the Stokes and Sullivan Collections, the material provided by the Bishop Museum are among the highest accessed collections.
Click Here to watch the November 12th webinar, and/or Click Here to watch the November 15th webinar to learn more about the value of the collections provided by the Bishop Museum.
Nov. 1, 2021
Published in OHAʻs November issue of Ka Wai Ola: New Digitization of Ka Hōkū o Hawaiʻi Microfilms: 1906-1917
Oct 18, 2021
As part of OHAʻs celebration of the Papakilo Databaseʻs 10-year celebration, the seventh installment of the Papakilo Webinar Series highlights collections from the Hula Preservation Society. With 14 collections hosted within Papakilo, the Hula Preservation Society offers a wide variety of historical ʻike from Hawaiʻiʻs hula community and the organizationʻs founder, Aunty Nona Beamer.
Click Here to watch the October 18th webinar, and Click Here to watch the October 22th webinar. While the powerpoint is similar in both presentations, content may differ due to audience questions and comments.
Sept 17, 2021
Hosted by OHAʻs Research Division, rewatch the sixth installment of Papakiloʻs monthly webinar series focusing on utilizing the Papakilo Database for Genealogy Research. Papakilo Database Manager, Kale Hannahs, and Genealogy Expert, Luci Meyer, discuss the various collections within the Papakilo Database and how they can be applied to Genealogy Research.
Click Here to watch the September 17th webinar, and Click Here to watch the September 20th webinar. While the powerpoint is similar in both presentations, content may differ due to audience questions and comments.
September 1, 2021
Researcher and co-founder of Kealopiko Clothing Company, Hina Knuebuhl, shares her experience of utilizing the Papakilo Database in Kealopikoʻs clothing designs and how she integrates it in raising her ʻohana.
View an excerpt of this "talk-story" session with Papakilo Database manager, Kale Hannahs, in the September issue of Ka Wai Ola.
August 6, 2021
Rewatch the fifth installment of Papakiloʻs monthly webinar series focusing on the Aliʻi Letter Collection, East Coast Collections, and the Hawaiian National Bibliographies in the Papakilo Database. Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier and Kauʻi Sai-Dudoit of Awaiaulu share the hidden gems of our history within these collections and the value that they bring to modern day research.
Click Here to watch the August 6th webinar, and Click Here to watch the August 9th webinar. While the powerpoint is similar in both presentations, content may differ due to audience questions and comments.
August 1, 2021
Educator, researcher and CEO of Kū-A-Kanaka, Kū Kahakalau, sits down with OHA to share her experience of utilizing the Papakilo Database and the value it has for the future of the lāhui.
View an excerpt of this "talk-story" session with Papakilo Database manager, Kale Hannahs, in the August issue of Ka Wai Ola.
July 20, 2021
Rewatch the fourth installment of Papakiloʻs monthly webinar series featuring the Hawaiian Language Newspapers and Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier and Kauʻi Sai-Dudoit of Awaiaulu as they discuss the importance of this significant resources.
Click Here to watch the July 16th webinar, and Click Here to watch the July 19th webinar. While the powerpoint is similar in both presentations, content may differ due to audience questions and comments.
July 2, 2021
The Papakilo Party continues on with the fourth installment of itʻs monthly webinar series featuring Kauʻi Sai-Dudoit and Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier of Awaiaulu. This informative presentation will focus on the Hawaiian Language Newspapers and how these published records included not only news, but announcements, letters, chants and songs, and genealogies. Join us as we learn how to access these articles and how it can be applied to your research.
July 1, 2021
Esteemed composer, cultural practitioner, and Loea of hula, Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, sits down with OHA to share his experience of conducting research within Papakilo, as well as offer some encouragement to those just starting out.
View an excerpt of this "talk-story" session with Papakilo Database manager, Kale Hannahs, in the July issue of Ka Wai Ola.
June 29, 2021
Re-watch the third installment of the Papakilo Database webinar series that focuses on the collections from ʻUluʻulu, Hawaiʻiʻs Digital Moving Image Archive. Click Here to watch the June 25th webinar, and Click Here to watch the June 28th webinar. While the powerpoint is similar in both presentations, content may differ due to audience questions and comments.
June 24, 2021
Janel Quirante of ʻUluʻulu: The Henry Kuʻualoha Guigni Moving Image Archive will join us for the third installment of the Papakilo 10-year anniversary webinar series. She will discuss the various collections from ʻUluʻulu that are hosted in the Papakilo Database, as well as touch upon other collections that are hosted on ʻUluʻuluʻs online archive.
May 18, 2021
Re-watch the second installment of the Papakilo Database webinar series that focuses on OHAʻs Kipuka Database, a geographical information system (GIS) to map historic and culturally significant places in Hawaiʻi.
Click Here to watch the May 14th webinar, and Click Here to watch the May 17th webinar. While the powerpoint is similar in both presentations, content may differ due to audience questions and comments.
May 14, 2021
Featured in the May installment of the Papakilo webinar series, Zack Smith, manager of OHAʻs Kīpuka Database, a geographic information system (GIS) that uses the latest mapping technologies to link historic data sets to geographic locations, reinforcing the concept of information embedded in the ʻāina.
April 30, 2021
Hawaiʻi Specialist librarian from UHʻs Hamilton Library, Kapena Shim, shares his thoughts on the importance of the Papakilo Database in "continuing as the main search engine that helps the lāhui connect with ʻike buried in libraries and archives here in Hawaiʻi and around the world."
Read more about the impact of Papakilo in the archive and library community.
April 20, 2021
Re-watch the first installment of the Papakilo Database webinar series that focuses on the valuable collections that are hosted in this comprehensive "Database of Databases." Click Here to watch the April 16th webinar, and Click Here to watch the April 19th webinar. While the powerpoint is similar in both presentations, content may differ due to audience questions and comments.
April 15, 2021
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the Papakilo Database by kicking off a monthly webinar series focusing on the valuable collections that are hosted in this comprehensive "Database of Databases." The Papakilo Database not only culls records from various community archive collections, but it makes them searchable and accessible to users around the world.
Join us for our first webinar installment on April 16, from 12pm - 1 pm or April 19 from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, as we give an overview of the Papakilo Database and provide a short tutorial and training.
April 4, 2021
The Papakilo Database celebrates its 10-year anniversary by hosting a 10 month series of webinars that will feature various collections hosted within Papakilo and prove best research practices when using the database. We hope that you will be able join us to learn more about the Papakilo Database and its valuable collections that can assist in your research.
Please register for the upcoming Zoom webinars. These webinars will also be broadcast simultaneously on OHAʻs Facebook Page and accessible for future reference.
Here are the webinar dates and topics:
PAU - Papakilo Database - General Intro & Training
April 16, Friday – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
April 19, Monday - 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
PAU - Kīpuka Collection - OHAʻs GIS Database
May 14, Friday – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
May 17, Monday - 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
PAU - ʻUluʻulu Digital Moving Archive Collections
June 25, Friday – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
June 28, Monday - 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Awaiaulu – Hawaiian Language Newspaper Collection
July 16, Friday – 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
July 19, Monday - 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Awaiaulu – Aliʻi Letter Collection and Hawaiian National Bibliographies
August 6, Friday – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
August 9, Monday - 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Papakilo Database – Genealogy Research
Sept. 10, Friday – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Sept. 13, Monday - 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Hula Preservation Society Collections
Oct. 18, Monday - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Oct. 22, Friday - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
November - January Webinars: TBD
March 1, 2021
Renowned Kumu Hula, cultural practitioner and researcher, Cody Pueo Pata, shares his thoughts on the value of the Papakilo Database in the March edition of OHAʻs Ka Wai Ola monthly newsletter. Read about his research on "West Maui" place names
February 1, 2021
"Papakilo Database is a Flagship for Navigating the Renaissance of Hawaiian Knowledge." - Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier shares his thoughts in our second installment of a year long column in OHAʻs Ka Wai Ola monthly newsletter, focusing on the Papakilo Database. Read the full article or e kaomi maaʻneʻi e heluhelu i ka paukū pihau.
January 1, 2021
View the first installment of a year long column in OHAʻs Ka Wai Ola monthly newsletter, featuring the Papakilo Database and itʻs varied collections as we ramp up for our 10-year anniversary on April 4, 2021.
December 8, 2020
First and foremost, mahalo for using the Papakilo Database. Since our public launch on April 4, 2011, we have steadily grown through the collaboration and trust of our partners, providing access to 65 unique collections and (now) over 1,000,000 records.
I invite you to join me in celebrating Papakiloʻs upcoming 10-year anniversary by sharing a personal Success Story of your Papakilo experience. These stories or testimonies can recount how a single collection or a combination of collections have resulted in the reconnection or discovery of family members, Kuleana Tax Exemption awards, or provided assistance in reports, genealogy research, land title research, and/or historical research.
If you would like to participate, need assistance, or have questions, please email papakilodatabase@gmail.com. For those willing to participate, we ask that you send in your commitment by December 23rd. Thank you for your true over the years and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
November 16, 2020 - We are excited to announce the completion of our Search by Location update. This upgrade includes the integration of an interactive map that allows users to scroll and zoom in and out on specific locations. We hope that you will find this upgrade useful and user friendly when conducting your Search by Location queries. Mahalo nui to Papakilo’s database design contractor, DL Consulting, and OHAʻs GIS specialist, Zack Smith, for their hard work and dedication to seeing this through.
September 24, 2020 - In partnership with Papakiloʻs database design contractor, DL Consulting, we have now completed updating the Search by Collection and Advanced Search pages. This update maximizes the space to highlight the collections while presenting a more user friendly interface. Feel free to utilize these pages when refining your searches to get specific and more accurate results.
September 9, 2020 - In partnership with the Hula Preservation Society (HPS), select items from the Alama Collection in the HPS Archive have been uploaded and are now searchable in the Papakilo Database. The 199 records include audio clips, photographs, and papers that provide insight into the noteworthy talent, outstanding dedication, and remarkable careers of Kumu Hula sisters Leilani and Puanani Alama.
August 26, 2020 - In partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Archives, we are pleased to announce that the Names Index is now accessible within the Papakilo Database, Originally stored in a card catalog system at the archives, this digitized collection of 110,706 records identifies and provides summaries of Hawaiʻi residents whose name(s) were mentioned in various publications throughout Hawaiʻi’s history.
April 6, 2020 - In partnership with the Bishop Museum's Archaeology Department, the Hawaiian Fauna Specimen Index is now accessible within the Papakilo Database, This collection of 765 records details Bishop Museum’s specimens collection and includes information about fish and mammals.
February 14, 2020 - In partnership with the Bishop Museum's Archives, the Hawaiian Ethnobotany Database is now accessible within the Papakilo Database, This collection contains over 190 records pertaining to the scientific and cultural research and documentation of Hawaiʻi’s indigenous plants.
January 5, 2020 - In partnership with the Bishop Museum's Archives Department, the Hawaiian Ethnological Notes (HEN) Collection, consisting of 232 records of Hawaiian language material that have been translated or summarized, primarily by Mary Kawena Pukui. This material includes selected articles that appear in the Hawaiian Language newspapers published between the 1860's and the 1940's. Additional material was also translated by Thomas G. Thrum.
December 18, 2019 - In partnership with the Hawaiʻi Mission Houses’ Archive and DL Consulting, the remaining collections of Hawai'i Mission Houses' Digital Archive are now searchable and accessible within the Papakilo Database. This includes the additions of the Ali'i Letter, Missionary Journals, Missionary Letters, Missionary Reports, Negatives/Film, Other, Photo & Portraits, The Friend (newspaper), Quilt, and Wilcox collections which accounts for an additional 36,887 records, bringing the total collection to 51,232 records. Mahalo to Hawai'i Mission Houses and DL Consulting for their hard work in providing this connection.
November 25, 2019 - In partnership with the Washington Place Foundation, the Lili'uokalani Digital Archive is now accessible within the Papakilo Database. This collection contains approx. 680 records of documents, images, and newspaper articles and translations, from Washington Place's Lili'uokalani collection.
November 22, 2019 - In partnership with the Hawaiʻi Mission Houses’ Archive and DL Consulting, the Missionary Herald Newspaper collection is now accessible within the Papakilo Database. This collection adds approx. 36,000 pages of the Missionary Herald to the Hawai’i Mission Houses Archive collection.
November 15, 2019 - In partnership with the Hawaiʻi Mission Houses’ Archive and DL Consulting, the Hawaiian Almanac, Hawaiian Journal of History, Manuscript Collection Finding Aids and The Polynesian Newspaper collections are now accessible within the Papakilo Database. This collection contains approx. 950 records and will be increasing in the near future with the addition of the Digital Archive Collection and The Missionary Newspaper collection.
October 17, 2019 - In partnership with the Bishop Museum, the Louis R. Sullivan Collection is now accessible within the Papakilo Database. This collection contains over 950 portraits and photographs of Native Hawaiians from 1920 - 1921.
September 6, 2019 - In partnership with the Bishop Museum, the John F.G. Stokes collection is now accessible within the Papakilo Database. This collection contains various surveys and maps, documenting Hawaiian archaeological sites, cultural features, and landscapes on the islands of Hawai'i, Moloka'i, O'ahu, Kaua'i and Kaho'olawe, with photography and mapping techniques from 1906 - 1913.
June 27, 2019 - In partnership with Awaiaulu, and with the help of Charissa Waialae, a brand new collection entitled East Coast Repositories is now available for access within the Papakilo Database, located within Collections Outside of Hawai'i Collection. This body of work includes images, translations and summaries of correspondence that are housed within Harvard University, the Essex Museum, the National Archives and the Library of Congress.
April 24, 2018 - To ensure that we continue to address users' needs and meet expectations, we humbly ask for your assistance by taking 5-10 minutes to fill out this short 8 question survey. Please Click Here to go to the survey. Mahalo in advance for assisting us in trying to make a better resource for everyone to use. We will close this survey on May 25th, 2018
August 23, 2017 - In partnership with Awaiaulu, the Ali'i Letters Collection is now available for access within the Papakilo Database. This collection includes images, translations and summaries of correspondence between and with Ali'i from the 1820's - 1840's.
August 21, 2017 - In partnership with the Bishop Museum, the Henry E.P Kekahuna Collection and Bishop Museum's Government and Governance Collections are now available for access within the Papakilo Database.
May 1, 2017 - In partnership with the Hula Preservation Society, the Vivienne Huapala Mader collection of photos is now available for search on the Papakilo Database.
February 3, 2016 - With the support of Greenstone contractor, DL Consulting Ltd., the Papakilo Database now provides Google results based off of your queried search terms. This will not only increase the number of search results, but also provide you with an increased potential of finding exactly what you are looking for.
July 17, 2015 - In partnership with Awaiaulu, Ulukau and DL Consulting Ltd., OHA has completed Phase II of our newspaper digitization project. The Papakilo Database now has over 58,600 digitized pages from 48 newspapers, resulting in almost 380,000 articles from 1834 - 1937. Phase III will focus on integrating with Ulukau to represent a consistent and comprehensive newspaper collection, available through both the Ulukau and the Papakilo Database websites.
April 24, 2015 - In partnership with the Hawai'i State Archives, the Land Card Catalog Index Collection at the State Archives is now available for digital search on the Papakilo Database.
April 8, 2015 - In partnership with UH West O'ahu, Papakilo now provides search capability of 'Ulu'ulu, The Henry Ku'ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawai'i, the official archive for moving images in the State of Hawai'i. This collaboration will provide access to the following collections: Juniroa Productions, KGMB Archives, Victoria Keith Productions, HKG Pilot Project and Ted Shibuya Collections.
Feb. 18, 2015 - In partnership with David Forbes, Awaiaulu and the University of Hawai'i Press, the Papakilo Database now provides access to all four volumes of David Forbes' Hawaiian National Bibliography.
Sept. 11, 2014 - The Papakilo Database has just made available a Whaling ship database, through our partnership with the Bishop Museum covering ships departing Honolulu from the 1840's to the 1890's. Mahalo to our partner, Bishop Museum, as well as Melenani Waialae and DL Consulting for formatting and uploading this valuable piece of information.
April 4, 2011 - OHA officially launches the Papakilo Database
icon to get descriptions of each Collection.