The Historic Hawaii Foundation Library – Catalog Project
by John Williams, retired architect, HHF volunteer & member since 2013
August 26, 2015
Last year I had the pleasure of cataloging HHF’s library of about 500 books, which has been assembled over the last 40 years. Most of the books are about Hawaii’s history, culture, and people’s stories, in addition to general interest history and preservation topics. The majority have been donated, with many coming directly from publishers.
Some of the books I’ve found to be most interesting were ones that have been written by authors and organizations, and then were self-published, because they weren’t going to have a large enough market for traditional publishers. A couple of my favorite examples were:
- Victoria Ward and Her Family – Memories of Old Plantation, by Frank Ward Hustace III
- The Japanese in Hawaii: A Century of Struggle, by Roland Kotani, and The Oahu Kanyaku Imin Centennial Committee
- Lihue Mill – One Hundred Fifty &Years of Sugar Processing Along Nawiliwili Stream: Grinding Cane & Building Community, by Jan Tenbruggencate
- Oahu Cemetery – Burial Ground & Historic Site, by Nanette Napoleon Purnell and the Oahu Cemetery Association
These are just a few of the many unique explorations of Hawaii’s history to be found in the HHF Library.
Access to the library is an HHF membership benefit. Members (and prospective new members) may phone the office at 808-523-2900 to schedule a time to visit. Books may be reviewed on the premises only.