The Edwin H. Mookini Library has a wealth of resources to guide any research topic. Yet, there may come a time when you need the unique, primary documents found in archives, such as when you are working on a serious research project, a senior thesis, a master’s thesis, or a doctoral dissertation.

Fortunately, the Internet has simplified archival research by providing access to hundreds of repositories around the world, many of which offer free online catalog searching, digital collections, and services. Archives are as diverse as humanity’s footprint, so chances are that one of them has just what you need!

Visit our display areas in the Mookini Library's Lobby and Hawaiian Room to start exploring Hawai‘i's - and the world's - artifacts, artworks, historic photographs, genealogical records, memorabilia, and more!

Download our display brochure or spend some time browsing these great online archives:

Local Archives

Bishop Museum Archives
Hawaiian royal family collections, manuscripts, genealogies, Hawaiian language materials, maps, oral histories, sound recordings, photographs, films and artwork.

Hawai‘i State Archives
Archives of the government of Hawai‘i (1790 to present); private papers of Hawaiian royalty, government officials, individuals and institutions; photos, maps, art, artifacts, extensive name and subject indexes.

Hawaiian Historical Society
Extensive 19th-century collection of manuscripts, society records, photographs, books, maps, newspapers and microforms of the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society Library
Records of early 19th-century Congregational missionaries to the Hawaiian Islands, archives of the Congregational Church of the Pacific, Hawaiian church records, manuscripts, books, photos, newspapers, microfilm, art on paper.

Lyman House Memorial Museum
Correspondence, papers, diaries, journals, business records, church and school records, maps, photos, newspapers and books pertaining to the Island of Hawai‘i.

National Archives

California Digital Archive
Historical materials from a variety of California institutions, including museums, historical societies, and archives. Over 120,000 images; 50,000 pages of documents, letters and oral histories; and 8,000 guides to collections are available.

Library of Congress Digital Collections and Services
Online access to print, pictorial and audio-visual collections and other digital services. Features a broad range of collections including historic newspapers, performing arts, prints and photographs, legislative records, maps, manuscripts, oral histories, and other documentations of American and world culture through time.

Smithsonian Archives of American Art
Online access to a portion of the 16 million letters, photographs, diaries, oral history interviews, sketches, scrapbooks, business records and other documents that have been preserved by the Archive to support the study of the history of the visual arts in America.

National Archives Resources for Genealogists / Family Historians
Online access to census records, military records, immigration records (ship passenger lists), naturalization records and land records which assist genealogy research.

International Archives

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Online access to past and present exhibitions, family history, audio visual materials, personnel files, national symbols, Maori cultural and political history, etc.  

National Archives of Australia
Search the online catalog comprising descriptions of 60,000 collections (called series), 9,000 creators/depositors, and over 6,000,000 record items (about 10% of the items in the physical collection). Digital images provided where available.

National Archives of Japan Digital Archive Gallery
Online descriptions of about 620,000 volumes of the records which were transferred from the ministries and agencies of the government of Japan, 480,000 volumes of Japanese and Chinese books, etc. Digital images of historic maps, posters, photographs, drawings, scrolls, and other documents. 

National Archives of the U.K.
A comprehensive collection of British culture, history, and world affairs. Digital collections and services allow you to search for National treasures, family history, government documents, military history, art and film, historic photos,  manuscripts, and more.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Edwin H. Mookini Library Archivist, Helen Wong Smith

April 2008