MĀKIA (MOTTO)
A'ohe hana nui ka alu'ia (No task is too big when done together).
KIAKAHI (PURPOSE)
It is the goal of the Native Hawaiian Genealogy Society and its members to transcribe/index The Hui Aloha 'Āina Anti-Annexation Petitions of 1897-1898 and furthermore, to create an online database containing both an alphabetized listing of all names transcribed from the aforementioned documents, along with a search feature to locate various names within.
Our nā kūpuna (ancestors) signed these documents in order to protect Hawai'i from being annexed to the United States of America. Their mana was placed into these documents with their signature and that mana remains locked within, waiting to be released unto the Native Hawaiian community. This is an awakening of inoa (names), which continue to be an important aspect of Hawaiian culture. Our nā kūpuna (ancestors); as do we, placed great importance on anointing a child with an inoa (name). By recalling these inoa (names); transcribing them, speaking them and making them available to the Native Hawaiian community and the world, we pay hō'ihi (respect) to those named within and allow the nā leo wawalo o ka hanehane (voices of the spirits); their spirits, to rise again and be recognized for the courage and conviction of their actions over 110 years ago.
It is our kuleana (responsibility) to ensure the voices of our nā kūpuna (ancestors) be heard and that their inoa (names) be known.
To learn more about the history of these documents, click here.
'A'A (VOLUNTEER)
Work has already begun to pull together the resources necessary to complete this project. With over 21,000 names on the petitions, and many of the documents having faded over time and some signatures completely unreadable, this will truly take an army of individuals to complete. We anticipate needing up to fifty or more volunteers to ensure we can cover all aspects of this project in an efficient manner.
This is where you come in. We need dedicated individuals with knowledge of Native Hawaiian genealogy, naming practices, history and/or 'ōlelo (language), to volunteer to transcribe these documents.
Volunteers must have experience with inputting data into a spreadsheet format.
Volunteers will be placed within one of ten teams being formed to transcribe each section of documents.
Volunteers will work together within their teams to accurately and fully transcribe all related documents assigned to them.
Volunteers can request to be part of a specific team focusing on each of the five islands included within the documents. The islands include Hawai'i, O'ahu, Moloka'i, Maui and Kaua'i.
Each team of volunteers will have at least one member who is a practitioner of Ka 'Ōlelo Hawai'i (the Hawaiian language). This will ensure that transcriptions are done properly and in accordance with Hawaiian 'ōlelo (language) protocols.
Each individual participating as a volunteer must have dedicated internet access, as this is integral to this project.
No software is necessary to complete this software as we are utilizing an internet-based document portal.
Each volunteer will receive a full list of protocols and procedures on transcribing the documents along with the appropriate data sources for each set of documents.
If you are interested in providing kokua (help) in transcription, please send an email to contactus@nhgsoc.com.
When sending an email to the aforementioned email address requesting to volunteer for this project, please include the following information:
- Your Full Name
- Email Address
- Telephone Number
- Mailing Address