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Hula Preservation Society – Hawaii

Hula Preservation Society - Hawaii

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Research & Learning

Online Resources

HPS Digital ‘Umeke

This online repository showcases select oral history collections and associated materials from the HPS Archive. These elders who have contributed to the archive collections were united in their love for hula. Their lives and experiences tell the human story of hula and life in 20th-century Hawaiʻi. An ʻumeke is a calabash used to store, transport, or serve items and food. We share this ʻumeke of ʻike (collection of knowledge) in honor of these cherished people who preserved, perpetuated, and cultivated hula throughout their lives.

Visit Digital ‘Umeke

HPS on Vimeo

Since 2016, HPS has used Vimeo as a platform to share oral history clips, archival footage, and public program segments. We have established four distinct channels, which you can access below.

Channels include:

Hula Kiʻi (Hawaiian puppetry and body form of kiʻi)

Nā Kupuna Makamae (oral histories from beloved elders)

ʻIolani Luahine (Master Luahine in film and remembrance)

Na Makua Mahalo ʻIa (1980s honoring of community elders)

There is also an On-Demand section with full-length programs, including the documentary film The Hawaiian Room in English and Japanese, and the collection of shorts entitled, Hoʻohaliʻa, Stories From Our Kūpuna.

Visit HPS on Vimeo

Papakilo Database

Papakilo Database was created by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and is a “Database of Databases.” This community repository holds materials of historic and cultural importance to Hawaiʻi. HPS became a Papakilo partner in 2017, and as of 2021, HPS’s mini collections include:

  • Photographs of hula and island landscapes (1940s & 1950s)
  • Photographs of hula kiʻi from the Beamer lineage
  • Audio clips from classic recordings of Hawaiian music (1930s-1950s)
  • Paper materials, including hula routines, song sheets, newspaper clippings, personal writings, and other career papers related to HPS kūpuna 
  • Finding Aids* of kūpuna interviews in the HPS Oral History Library 

*A Finding Aid is a research tool to assist in content discovery. 

Visit Papakilo Database

Dynamic Waiwai List

If you are seeking general information about Hawaiʻi’s history, culture, language, native practices, and/or other related topics, please visit this listing of various resources. 

Visit the Dynamic Waiwai List

HPS Guide to Online Resources

Feel free to download this guide to our online resources.

Download PDF
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ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi

ʻŌLELO NOʻEAU 203

HPS’s work with our elders honors and respects the traditions of hula across generations, lineages, islands, and families.

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