Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 5, 1 May 2011 — OHA unveils Papakilo Database [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA unveils Papakilo Database

ByTreenaShapiro The Office of Hawaiian Affairs' new Papakilo Database places an extensive repository of historic and cultural data at the fingertips of anyone who ean access the Internet. The "database of databases" unveiled April 4 consolidates indexed records, images, maps, reports and other documents into a single digital library with free and open access. "This is a rich resource that benefits everyone," says Dr. Kamana'opono Crabbe, OHA's Director of Research. "It ean be used to preserve and perpetuate historical cultural practices and events in Hawaiian history and heritage." Other potential uses include educating other regulatory agencies and helping locate beneficiaries. It also offers easier access to information to those who want to research their family histories, learn more about the places they live, or find out about Hawaiian culture. Papakilo is defined as "a

foundation for seeking, searching and observing," whieh Crabbe hopes will continue in a perpetual cycle for generations to eome. Rather than offering an abundance of new documents, Papakilo makes existing records easier to find and work with. Since 2007, OHA and key partners have been digitizing and indexing documents - some handwritten - that might have already been puhlie information but weren't necessarily easy to access or search. "It's new in that it is the very first time information of this magnitude is being pulled together in one plaee," explains OHA Chief Executive Officer Clyde Nāmu'o. "Creating a repository of Hawaiian knowledge is the noblest of all goals, and Papakilo is really the start of that." Ongoing development of the database will add to the 225,000 records already online, whieh includes more than 45 Hawaiian language newspapers, genealogy indexes, the Māhele 'Āina Index, the state's inventory of historic places, State Historic Preservation

Department reports, maps and government reports collected from various archives and agencies. OHA Trustee and Vice Chairman Boyd Mossman believes the database has a huge potential for advancing Hawaiian knowledge and establishing a record of Hawai'i's history and indigenous people. "(Traditional) record keeping for Hawaiians was always done orally through chants and through mo'olelo passed down through the generations," Mossman says. "We're here to set the record straight. We're here to preserve and to secure the written records of our Hawaiian people so they will be available for our posterity, our culture and our mission." The digital library is a convenient, cost-effective way for OHA to broaden its beneficiaries' access to information that ean empower Native Hawaiians and inform their decision-making on matters that affect their communities. The online database has a statewide reach, notes Mossman, who commutes from Maui. Neighbor Island residents ean now

access Papakilo from their homes and offices, saving them both time and airfare. Even O'ahu residents "will benefit from not having to get in your car and go here, there and everywhere to get this data because it will also be available to you online," he adds. Kumu Pono Associates, whieh contributed about 71,000 records to Papakilo, plans to add more resources in the future, says cultural historian Kepa Maly. Working with the source materials allows researchers to rediscoverknowledge that otherwise might have been SEE PAPAKIL0 ON PAGE 17

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Digital database You ean go online anel access the Papakilo Database for free at www.papakilodatabase.com. Here is an overview of the type of traffic the site has attracted for the week ending April 10, whieh immediately followed the site's official launeh. 3,289 unique visitors to the site 40,537 page views 8.93 average page views 9:41 time spent on site Visitors to the site were mostly from Hawai'i and the U.S. eontinent and also spanned across the globe. Here are some of the regions that produced the highest numbers of visitors. 4,413 United States total, including: 3,198 Hawai'i 511 California 136 Washington state 67 Oregon 46 New York lnternational visitors 43 New Zealand 21 Canada 8 Sweden 8 United Kingdom 6 Japan

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs formally unveiled its Papakilo Database on April 4, surrounded by its partners in the new online venture. The new cultural resource is a "database of databases" or a search engine for Hawaiian land and cultural information - Photos: John Matsuzaki

PAPAKILO

Continued from page 4 considered lost. This newfound data ean lead to a better telling of Hawai'i's story and a deeper understanding of the past, he says. "I believe that the voices of the kūpuna are waiting to be heard again. These are oral histories. These are traditions. These are relationships of people to land," he says. OHA Research Analyst Kale Hannahs gave the standing-room only crowd a quick demonstration of the type of resources available through Papakilo. His search for "Waimea Valley" brought up a Hi'iaka chant with a translation, articles, Māhele records, an environmental impact statement from 1974 and even an old photo. "It's exciting to me to see all this together," he said. Hannahs credits OHA's partners with providing data, mana'o and guidance during the iniīial development, as well as planning for future collaborations. In 2012, the Nature Conservancy plans to

add GIS maps of the Neighbor Islands that will provide information about climate, terrain and agricultural uses in different areas. Bishop Museumplans to add many of its records next year as well, including an archaeology index. Museum President and CEO Tim Johns praised OHA for gathering information and making it accessible on one site. "New technology has created a push for more information received at a faster paee, with more convenience for both the researcher and the puhlie," he said. The information provided through Papakilo will broaden the field of knowledge and motivate more complex analysis of cultural questions. "Your success here will help settle old questions, bring new thoughts and concepts to the front and unite the broader Hawaiian community with a eommon instrument for learning," Johns says. ■ Treena Shapiro, afreelance writer, is aformer reporterfor the Honolulu StarBulletin and Honolulu Advertiser.

OHA Research Analyst Kale Hannahs, who served as the projectlead for Papakilo Database, gives attendees a "how-to" on accessing and using the new digital library- Photo: John Matsuzaki