Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity

Digitizing Hawaiian Language Newspapers to Promote
Wider Use via the World Wide Web

Description of Project

This project addresses the theme of diversity by promoting the use of Hawaiian language newspapers in an electronic format through the use of the World Wide Web. Approximately eighty Hawaiian language newspapers were published in Hawai'i, from 1834 to 1948. They are primary historical materials that document Hawaiian history. These newspapers are currently stored on microfilm which was produced from newspapers that had deteriorated through the years.

Through subsequent heavy use by students and scholars of the Hawaiian language, some of the microfilm copies have also deteriorated and/or disappeared. Reduplication of these reels from master reels places the master reels at risk as well, for each time a master reel is duplicated it deteriorates a bit, too. The emerging technology of digital scanning allows us to access these important newspaper resources without destroying the resource itself. New technology also enables the enhancing of microfilmed images so that a more readable image can be produced.

This project also addresses the theme of diversity by making accessible Hawaiian language newspapers wherever there is access to the World Wide Web. Few libraries in Hawai'i or elsewhere have collections of the microfilm. Soaring enrollment in Hawaiian language courses and the development of a master's degree in Hawaiian language and literature at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo increase the need for broader access to the newspapers. The project addresses the need for Hawaiian language resource materials at all levels of education.

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