Print Resources

A selected bibliography. Many of the books are available in Hawai'i bookstores and libraries, or online at www.booklines.com, www.amazon.com and www.nativebookshawaii.com (site currently under construction). Unless otherwise noted, synopses are from www.booklines.com.

Ancient History of the Hawaiian People to the Times of Kamehameha I, by Abraham Fornander, Honolulu, HI: Mutual Publishing, 1996. Reprint edition, 432 pp.

A reprint of this classic of pre-contact history tracing Hawaii's saga from legendary times to the arrival of Captain Cook, including an account of his demise.

Colonizing Hawaii: The Cultural Power of Law, by Sally Engle Merry, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1999, 364 pp.

How does law transform family, sexuality, and community in the fractured social world characteristic of the colonizing process? The law was a cornerstone of the so-called civilizing process of nineteenth-century colonialism. It was simultaneously a means of transformation and a marker of the seductive idea of civilization. Sally Engle Merry reveals how, in Hawai`i, indigenous Hawaiian law was displaced by a transplanted Anglo-American law as global movements of capitalism, Christianity, and imperialism swept across the islands. The new law brought novel systems of courts, prisons, and conceptions of discipline and dramatically changed the marriage patterns, work lives, and sexual conduct of the indigenous people of Hawai`i. (amazon.com)

A Dictionary of Hawaiian Legal Land-Terms by Paul Nahoa Lucas, Honolulu, HI: Na Kane o Ka Malo Press, 1996, 451 pp.
The first reference book of its kind to compile, organize, and explain critical information needed for the accurate translation and interpretation of 19th-century Hawaiian land-conveyance documents. Now, in a single volume, readers have an overview of survey practices, documents, and commonly used words and phrases that were recorded in Hawaiian before the turn of the century. The book also includes Hawai`i's appellate cases that have defined such terms.

Dismembering Lahui : A History of the Hawaiian Nation to 1887, by Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio. Honolulu , HI : University of Hawai'i Press, 2002, 320 pp.

Jonathan Osorio investigates the effects of Western law on the national identity of Native Hawaiians in this impressive political history of the Kingdom of Hawai'i from the onset of constitutional government in 1840 to the Bayonet Constitution of 1887, which effectively placed political power in the kingdom in the hands of white businessmen. Making extensive use of legislative texts, contemporary newspapers, and important works by Hawaiian historians and others, Osorio plots the course of events that transformed Hawai'i from a traditional subsistence economy to a modern nation, taking into account the many individuals nearly forgotten by history who wrestled with each new political and social change. A final poignant chapter links past events with the struggle for Hawaiian sovereignty today. (Editorial review, www.amazon.com)

Fragments of Hawaiian History by John Papa Ii, translated by Mary Kawena Pukui, edited by Dorothy B. Barrère, Honolulu, HI: Bishop Museum Press, 1995, 212 pp.

Brought up for a life of service to the high chiefs, John Papa `I`i (1800-1870) describes life under the Kamehamehas with the authority of a first-hand witness, presenting personal experiences and revealing the pattern of Hawaiian culture as it actually functioned. Contents: Kamehameha; The Luluka Family; Kapu Loulu Rites and Medical Practices; Early 1800's in Honolulu; Activities in Court Circles; Foreign Influences; Places and Persons on Oahu; Kamehameha's Return to Hawaii; Kamehameha's Court at Kamakahonu; Life in Kona; Fragments of History, 1819-1832; Kamamalu and Kekuanaoa.

From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawai'i , (Revised Edition) by Haunani-Kay Trask. Honolulu , HI : University of Hawai'i Press, 1999 (originally published by Common Courage Press, 1993), 256 pp.

Since its publication in 1993 From a Native Daughter, a provocative, well-reasoned attack against the rampant abuse of Native Hawaiian rights, institutional racism, and gender discrimination, has generated heated debates in Hawai'i and throughout the world. This revised work includes new material that builds on issues and concerns raised in the first edition; Native Hawaiian student organizing at the University of Hawai'i; the master plan of the Native Hawaiian self-governing organization Ka Lahui Hawai'i and its platform on the four political arenas of sovereignty; the 1989 Hawai'i declaration of the Hawai'i ecumenical coalition on tourism; a typology on racism and imperialism. Brief introductions to each of the previously published essays brings them up to date and situates them in the current Native Hawaiian rights discussion.

Hawaii: A History from Polynesian Kingdom to American State by Ralph S. Kuykendall and Arthur Grove Day, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1961. Rev. ed. 331p.)

Comprehensive one volume history of Hawai’i. (Hawai‘i State Library bibliography “What to Read about Hawai‘i”)

Hawaii: Islands Under the Influence, by Noel J. Kent, Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai’i Press, 1993. Reprint edition.

The economic history of Hawai’i from sandalwood and whaling to tourism. (Hawai’i State Library bibliography)

Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen , by Lili'uokalani. Charles E. Tuttle Company, Reissue edition, October 1991, 410 pp.

Autobiography of Queen Lili'uokalani focusing on the events surrounding her reign, overthrow and annexation. Hawaii 's great and tragic queen tells her side of the story.

Hawaiian Antiquities by David Malo, translated by N.B. Emerson, Honolulu, HI: Bishop Museum Press, 1951, 302 pp.

Born and raised in the court of Kamehameha I, David Malo (ca. 1793-1853) provides one of the few authentic sources of information on the ancient beliefs and practices of Hawaiians. This engrossing study, completed in 1839, tells of the material world and activities of Malo's people, as well as their origins, myths, and beliefs. (quoted from Bishop Museum website)

Hawaiian Kingdom 1778-1854 [Vol.I], Ralph S. Kuykendall, Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai’i Press, 1968. Reprint edition, 453 pp.

Hawaiian Kingdom 1874-1893, the Kalakaua Dynasty [Vol. II], by Ralph S. Kuykendall, Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai’i Press, 1967, 776 pp.

Hawaiian Kingdom 1854-1874, Twenty Critical Years [Vol. III], by Ralph S. Kuykendall, Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai’i Press, 1953, 320 pp.

Well-documented work considered the definitive history of 19th century Hawai’i. (Hawai‘i State Library bibliography).

Nation Within: the story of America's Annexation of the Nation of Hawaii, by Tom Coffman. Honolulu , HI , 1998, 345 pp.

"All Americans who wish to understand how and why the United States annexed Hawaii in 1898 should read this book. Tom Coffman has forever dispelled the commonly-held belief that annexation was a benign and inevitable process of self-determination. Readers of Nation Within also will come to understand why Native Hawaiians today seek justice and reconciliation from an American government that usurped and destroyed their national sovereignty a century ago." Dr. Edward P. Crapol, Professor of History, College of William and Mary.

Native Land and Foreign Desires: Pehea La E Pono Ai? by Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa. Honolulu , HI : Bishop Museum Press, 1992, 424 pp.

Rigorously researched, incisive and powerfully written, this important book is the first detailed contemporary analysis of the 1848 land division known as the Mahele. 

'Oiwi: A Native Hawaiian Journal , edited by D. Mahealani Dudoit. 2 vols. Honolulu , HI : Kuleana 'Oiwi Press, 1998 and 2002.

Described as".the first journal dedicated to the mana'o (thoughts) and hana no'eau (works) of Hawaiians, a historical landmark in the revival of the rich and ancient literary heritage of na 'oiwi o Hawai'i nei - the native people of Hawai'i . All the authors and artists in 'Oiwi as well as the entire 'Oiwi staff are Native Hawaiian.

Oiwi's inaugural issue features mele, oli , poems, an excerpt from a play, mo'olelo, photographs, drawings, essays, kanikau , reprints from Hawaiian language newspapers of the last century and testimony by more than 30 writers and artists."

'Oiwi website:
http://www.hawaii.edu/oiwi/about.html)

Ruling Chiefs of Hawai’i by Samuel Maniakalani Kamakau, Honolulu, HI: Kamehameha Schools Press, 1992 (Revised edition), 440 pp.

A major source regarding the rulers of Hawai`i, from pre-western contact through the monarchy. (Hawai‘i State Library bibliography)

Shoal of Time: A History of the Hawaiian Islands, by Gavan Daws, Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai‘i Press, 1994, 494 pp.

A readable history of Hawaiian history, from Western discovery through the fall of the monarchy, plantation days, and move to statehood.

To Steal a Kingdom: Probing Hawaiian History, by Michael Dougherty, Honolulu, HI: Island Style Press, 1992, 246 pp.

A powerful indictment of the western intrusion on Hawaii. (Hawaii State Library bibliography)

Other Resources:

Holo I Mua Sovereignty Roundtable convened by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on March 12, 2000 . Participants include: Kekuni Blaisdell, Robin Danner, Keali'i'olu'olu Gora, Clayton Hee, Davelyn Noelani Kalipi, Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa, Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele, Robert Klein, Charles Rose, and Mililani Trask. Website includes transcript of the session, MP3 audio files, and related articles.
http://starbulletin.com/2000/03/20/special/index.html

Hawai'i State Library Catalogue
Impact of Change: Overthrow and Annexation. Bibliography of selected titles on the Hawaiian overthrow and annexation cataloguing works available at the Hawaii and Pacific section of the Hawaii State Library. Includes timeline up to November 11, 1917 , the death of Queen Lili'uokalani. Last updated August 24, 2003 .
http://www.hawaii.gov/hidocs/annexation.html

Hawaii State Library Bibliography “What to Read about Hawaii.” Last updated on August 24, 2003.
http://www.hawaii.gov/hidocs/whattoread.html#history

The Annexation of Hawaii: A Collection of Documents
Documents from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Hawaiian collection. Includes the Blount Report, Anti-Annexation Petition, and Congressional debates on the Hawaii Organic Act.
http://libweb.hawaii.edu/libdept/hawaiian/annexation/annexation.html

“The State of the Hawaiian,” Honolulu Advertiser Special Report, January 7, 2001.