Choosing the Right Tool

Different research questions require different tools.

Use this general guide:

• Papakilo → When you are tracing people, land records, archival collections, or genealogy

• Ulukau → When you need full-text Hawaiian-language newspapers, dictionaries, or reference works

• Kipuka → When your question is place-based (ahupuaʻa, ʻili, Māhele awards, land divisions)

• Library databases → When you are looking for scholarly analysis and peer-reviewed research

If your search is not producing useful results, it may not mean your topic is wrong — it may mean you are in the wrong tool.

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Strategic Searching

Effective searching involves:

• Identifying multiple keyword variations (English + ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi)

• Using phrase searching for specific names or concepts

• Adjusting time ranges for historical research

• Searching by place when appropriate

• Recognizing when an index (Papakilo) is different from full-text access (Ulukau)

Searching is exploratory. You may refine or expand your keywords as you learn more.

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Reading Metadata & Context

When you find a result, pause before downloading it.

Ask yourself:

• Who created this record?

• When was it produced?

• What institution holds it?

• Is this a primary source, secondary source, or index?

• What perspective does it represent?

Understanding metadata and provenance helps you interpret sources accurately and responsibly.

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Moving Between Tools

Hawaiian research often requires layered searching.

For example:

1. Use Papakilo to locate references to a person in Hawaiian-language newspapers.

2. Move to Ulukau to read the full newspaper article.

3. Consult Kipuka to understand the land divisions referenced in the text.

4. Use scholarly databases to analyze broader historical interpretations.

Navigation is rarely linear. You will move back and forth between tools as your understanding deepens.

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Archive & Repository Research

If your question requires archival records:

• Review finding aids before visiting

• Identify collection names and record groups

• Take note of call numbers and repository policies

• Prepare specific document requests when possible

Archives require preparation. Planning ahead strengthens your visit.