A Unique Project
Together with the State Archives’ longstanding holdings, these new music archives will make an astonishing array of one-of-a-kind historical materials accessible to the public, including Queen Liliuʻokalani’s original handwritten draft of “Aloha Oe” and the personal files of Henry Berger, director of the Royal Hawaiian Band from 1872 to 1915.
Thanks to the restoration work performed by members of the ‘Ukulele Guild of Hawai’i, the collection will be a uniquely hands-on experience: archives patrons will have the ability to “check out” a vintage ‘ukulele from the collection to play in a soundproof sound booth to be installed in the State Archives Public Research Room.
“We routinely allow people to handle one-of-a-kind historical documents written by Hawaiian royalty such as King Kalākaua and Queen Liliuʻokalani, so why wouldn’t we allow them to play these restored instruments?” says State Archivist Dr. Adam Jansen. “Really, the only way these instruments can speak is through them being played–it’s what they were built for.”
The Music Archives is actively seeking tax-deductible contributions of every facet of Hawaiian music from the 19th century to today: vintage instruments and cases, strings, sheet music and instruction books, recordings (everything from Edison cylinders to MP3s), film and video recordings, advertising, music catalogs, personal papers, company archives and other material.
“Once we get the word out, we’re confident that the international community of musicians, builders, music educators, retailers, scholars and collectors will embrace this opportunity to build an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind resource, available to all,” says Shawn Yacavone, owner of the Honokaʻupu Collection, the world’s largest collection of pre-1900 ‘ukulele.
“While the Hawaiian Music Archives has an astonishing array of one-of-a-kind historical materials, it’s essential that it include material from every period, including today,” says Jim Tranquada, co-author of The ‘Ukulele: A History and descendant of one of the three original ‘ukulele makers. “The history of Hawaiian music continues to be made right now.”
For more information, contact the Hawaiian Music Archives at [email protected].