The Awaiaulu Hawaiian Literature Project has made early Hawaiian literature more readily available in libraries around the world. The project, run by executive director Puakea Nogelmeier, is aimed at increasing access to Hawaiian culture.
Among the literature distributed were the classic legends of Hawaiian gods and goddesses like Pele, Hiiaka, Kane and Ku, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. Nogelmeier said he has always wanted Hawaiian literature to be more widely available. He recalled going to the state library in Minnesota as a child and only finding five books in the Hawaii section.
"My dream is that if someone walks into a library anywhere in the world and asks if they have a book on Hawaii, they'll be able to pull out something that is dense in content and beautiful in form," he said. "I'd like this to be something that forms a ripple that changes the world's vision of Hawaii. The stories themselves get twisted and reframed with each presentation. But while no story can tell all, each one is a window."
There is a need for this, BYUH students say. Mikaila Sass, a sophomore studying biochemistry from Washington, recalled her experience with Hawaiian literature growing up. “I've read some legends, but mainly because my parents got me a book when I was ten with a bunch of legends of different indigenous groups across the United States and there was an entire section in the book about Hawaii and their traditional legends.
Other than that I haven't heard a lot of literature outside of Hawaii.”Alex Doggett, a sophomore in social work from Utah, said, “Because of being here I've read Hawaii’s Story by Liliuokalani, but back home I’d never heard anything but, well, ‘Lilo and Stitch.’”
However, because of Nogelmeier's efforts, the stories will be more widespread.“I think it's great,” said Sass. “I love learning about what other people think and believe because it's really good to know what other cultures think and then get along with them. For the world I think it's really good because I think there are a lot of misconceptions about Hawaiian people that are really prevalent and I think it'd be great to be able to clear those up.”
“I think it'll be really cool to go back and share with my family the myths and legends of this place I've really come to love and I hold very dear to my heart,” said Doggett. “Just to show them that being an American isn't just drinking milk everyday with steak and mashed potatoes, but you can have rice and steak with eggs and gravy.”
Doggett said the project will benefit the Hawaiian Studies department and Hawaiian studies internationally. “They’ll be able to grow and to have a lot more impact, not just with islanders, but with the world. That will be really cool.”