Hawaiian Historical Society

Hawaiian Historical Society Organized in January 1892, HHS preserves historical materials in its library and publishes scholarly research in the peer-reviewed Hawaiian Journal of History.

On this day in 1853: A merchant tailor, J.H. McColgan brings the first sewing machines from New York.Photographed here i...
09/12/2026

On this day in 1853: A merchant tailor, J.H. McColgan brings the first sewing machines from New York.

Photographed here is an illustrated instructional manual both in English and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi for the Domestic Sewing Machine. Supposedly, these are the only two manuals known to exist.

Images:
Ka Buke hoike kuhikuhi wiki humuhumu “Dometika.” Me ke ao kumu ole ia “The Book of directions for the “Domestic” sewing machine. Learn without a teacher. Honolulu, c. 1890. Hawaiian Historical Society, Call. No. H 687.1 D72; H 687.1 D73.

On this day in 1849: Dr. G.P. Judd, Alexander Liholiho, and Lot depart on tour of the United States and Europe to improv...
09/11/2026

On this day in 1849: Dr. G.P. Judd, Alexander Liholiho, and Lot depart on tour of the United States and Europe to improve international relations.

Image: Alexander Liholiho Private Journal, 1849, Hawaiian Historical Society, Call No. MS B L62.

Want to see the Journal IRL?! Schedule your reference appointment today by e-mailing [email protected]

Reference hours are Thursdays-Fridays 10am-4pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm. Researching the collections is always complimentary to our communities. Become a member or donate to keep services like this going strong! Visit www.hawaiianhistory.org

Celebrating Hawaiian History Month, we feature John Henry Wise (July 19, 1868 – August 12, 1937). He was a Native Hawaii...
09/09/2026

Celebrating Hawaiian History Month, we feature John Henry Wise (July 19, 1868 – August 12, 1937). He was a Native Hawaiian politician, businessman, religious leader, and educator of Hawaiʻi. In his youth, he became the first Native Hawaiian to play college football, while he attended theology school at Oberlin College. During his political career in the Hawaiʻi Territorial Legislature, he helped pass the Hawaiian Homelands Act of 1921. In later life, he served as an instructor of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) at the Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawaiʻi.

Image: John Henry Wise, photographer unknown, ca. 1892. Attributed to Oberlin College Archives.

Want to learn more? There's an HJH for that! Read, "To Raise a Voice in Praise: The Revivalist Mission of John Henry Wise, 1889-1896," By Dr. Ronald C. Williams, Jr., Hawaiian Journal of History, volume 46, 2012, pp. 1-36. http://hdl.handle.net/10524/33792

In observance of Labor Day, HHS will be closed today, Saturday, September 5, 2026.We will resume business hours on Tuesd...
09/05/2026

In observance of Labor Day, HHS will be closed today, Saturday, September 5, 2026.

We will resume business hours on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 from 9am to 4pm. Our reference hours are Thursdays-Fridays 10am to 4pm and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. E-mail [email protected] to schedule your reference appointment.

On this day in 1866: The first daily newspaper, the Hawaiian Herald, begins publication.“...we have place the terms of t...
09/05/2026

On this day in 1866: The first daily newspaper, the Hawaiian Herald, begins publication.

“...we have place the terms of the Daily Herald at a figure which will bring it within the reach of all.”

Image 1-2: Daily Hawaiian Herald, September 4, 1866, Hawaiian Historical Society, Call No. 070 D14.

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau iā Queen Liliʻuokalani!On this day in 1838: Queen Liliʻuokalani was born in Honolulu, on the island of ...
09/02/2026

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau iā Queen Liliʻuokalani!

On this day in 1838: Queen Liliʻuokalani was born in Honolulu, on the island of Oʻahu. While her natural parents were Analea Keohokālole and Caesar Kapaʻakea, she was hānai (informally adopted) at birth by Abner Pākī and Laura Kōnia and raised with their daughter Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Kamakaʻeha was the only queen regnant and the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, ruling from January 29, 1891, until the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom on January 17, 1893.

The composer of “Aloha ʻOe” and numerous other works, she wrote her autobiography, Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen (1898), during her imprisonment following the overthrow.

What a way to start our celebrations for Hawaiian History Month by honoring Queen Liliʻuokalani.

Image: Studio portrait of Liliʻuokalani, photographer unknown, ca. 1880s. Hawaiian Historical Society, Call No. 4870.

On this day in 1908: Paniolo, Ikua Purdy, wins the Steer Roping Championship at the annual Frontier Days Celebration in ...
08/23/2026

On this day in 1908: Paniolo, Ikua Purdy, wins the Steer Roping Championship at the annual Frontier Days Celebration in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

In 1999 Ikua Purdy was inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Image: Ikua Purdy (center) with fellow paniolos in front of Livery and Boarding stockyard stables, photographer unknown, 1905. Hawaiian Historical Society, Call No. 3480.

We are excited to announce our next Talk Story Saturday: Hawaiʻi Ma Kahaone (Beaches of Hawaiʻi), Saturday, August 15, 2...
08/08/2026

We are excited to announce our next Talk Story Saturday: Hawaiʻi Ma Kahaone (Beaches of Hawaiʻi), Saturday, August 15, 2026 10am to 11am.

Register via Eventbrite at bit.ly/HHSTalkStoryAug2026 or scan the QR Code. Reservations are limited, walk-ins welcome, permitted space.

“We name the places that we want to go back to”--John Clark

John Clark, a well-known community researcher, scholar, and author has spent his life documenting Hawaiʻi’s surf spots and shorelines. In 2016 he bequeathed to HHS a collection of images and publications notes from 1974 to 1989. This valuable material is associated with his first four publications, Beaches of: the Big Island; Kauaʻi and Niʻihau; Maui; and Oʻahu.

August’s theme, Hawaiʻi Ma Kahaone (Beaches of Hawaiʻi), will explore the Beaches of Hawaiʻi Photograph Collection from John Clark. We will feature a few historic beaches and shorelines and how this collection overall supports larger historical narratives. We will also discuss this year-long preservation project and how our communities can access these valuable resources. Join us as we journey through each island to learn about places that are significant to us, our communities, and history.

Talk Story Saturdays encourages our communities to learn, share, and engage with each other about Hawaiian History. Dive deep into the Hawaiian Historical Society’s (HHS) stacks with the staff for a special insiders’ look into the rare and unique books and archival material not normally on public view. The hour-long tour will include: an introduction to the Hawaiian Historical Society, a curated exhibit, a chance to interact with historical material as well as an opportunity to learn how to research and access HHS’ resources. Guests are encouraged to ask questions and stay for reference hours to conduct their own research. Tours are conducted in the Hawaiian Historical Society’s Reading Room, Library & Archives.

On this day in 1916: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was originally established as part of Hawaiʻi National Park and bec...
08/01/2026

On this day in 1916: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was originally established as part of Hawaiʻi National Park and became an independent separate park on September 22, 1961. President Woodrow Wilson signed the original park into law, making it the 15th national park in the United States system.

Image: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park “Headquarters,” Photo by Tai Sing Loo, ca. 1920s, Hawaiian Historical Society Call No. 1204.

Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (Sovereignty Restoration Day) is a historic national holiday of the Hawaiian Kingdom celebrated annually ...
07/31/2026

Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (Sovereignty Restoration Day) is a historic national holiday of the Hawaiian Kingdom celebrated annually on July 31. It honors the 1843 restoration of Hawaiian sovereignty by British Rear-Admiral Richard Darton Thomas after a brief occupation, inspiring King Kamehameha III's famous motto, “Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘āina i ka pono.”

Restoration Anthem, Composed by Edwin Oscar Hall, sung at Kamehameha III’s lūʻau, honoring Admiral Thomas, August 2, 1843. The Anthem was originally sung to the tune of ‘God Save the King.’

Hail! To Our Rightful King! Aloha Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea!

Image: Restoration Anthem, composed by Edwin Oscar Hall, August 2, 1843, Hawaiian Historical Society, Call No. MS 784 H14.

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