Ebook: A Dictionary of Hawaiian Language

Commissioners of Public Archives of the Territory of Hawaii, 1922. - 3189+730 p.In 1836 "A Vocabulary of Words in the Hawaiian Language" was published by Lorrin Andrews. The evident usefulness of this list of about 6000 words led its author to prepare "A Dictionary of the Hawaiian Language" which was issued in 1865. Andrews' dictionary had long been out of print and increasing interest in Polynesian linguistic studies, the need of an authoritative reference book for the spelling, pronunciation, and definition of Hawaiian words, led to arrangements for the preparation of a new Hawaiian dictionary under the direction of the Board of Commissioners of Public Archives. A legislative act of 1913 made provision for "compiling, printing, binding, and publishing in book form a dictionary of the Hawaiian language" in which was to be given "the correct pronunciation of the ancient and modern Hawaiian words and phrases and their respective equivalents or meanings in the English language."
As a necessary step in the preparation of a dictionary the Board of Archives transcribed all the words appearing in Andrews' Dictionary. These totaled about 15,000 typewritten cards.
Following this preliminary work consideration was given to the selection of a compiler on whom might be placed the responsibility for preparing the desired manuscript. Rev. Henry Hodges Parker was chosen and financial arrangements made whereby he was released from other obligations for the five years following the date of appointment, January 1, 1915. The outstanding features of the work performed by Mr. Parker are: the incorporation into the cards prepared by the Board of Archives of the extremely valuable revised definitions prepared by the distinguished Hawaiian scholar, Lorenzo Lyons (1807-1886) into the body of the original Andrews Dictionary, the revision of many definitions, the time-consuming task of supplying diacritical marks, the comparison of word lists from various sources (see pp. vi and vii). Particular effort was made to insure correct separation into syllables of the words defined, and to insure correct spelling of Hawaiian words, phrases and
quotations.
Early in 1921 the manuscript cards were transmitted by the Board of Archives to the Bishop Museum, which consented to do the editorial work necessary to prepare the volume for the press. The Museum staff verified many scientific terms, compiled a list of Hawaiian geographic terms, and with the assistance of J. S. Emerson, Stephen Mahaulu, and other Hawaiian scholars, added a few words and enlarged and clarified many definitions. Galley proof has been read by Mr. Parker.
The Board is under obligation to the Bishop Museum for skilled assistance and for
financial aid which has permitted the publication of the dictionary without further drafts
on Territorial funds.