The Hawaiian Collection is the world's foremost collection of 19th and 20th century published materials about the Hawaiian Islands.
The acquisition policy is comprehensive: All aspects of Hawaiiana and levels of writing are collected in print and non-print formats and photocopies. Video and audio recordings and and motion pictures are acquired. There are no limitations regarding chronological period, country or language. Manuscripts such as letters, personal papers, and diaries of individuals are sought. Local newsletters, scripts, scrapbooks, sheet music, variant editions, juvenile books, pamphlets, ephemera, and other materials add depth and breadth. A special effort is made to obtain publications in the Hawaiian language and their translations into English.
The collection's strength are in 19th and 20th century published materials, with particular emphasis in government and institutional publications (including the University of Hawaii). It has one of the best collections on Captain James Cook, and maintains solid accumulations on other early voyages and travels to the Islands. There is also a strong assemblage of works, including oral histories, dealing with Hawai'i's various ethnic groups.
Since 1915 the collection has been a depository for Territorial, State, and County publications. Holdings from the Kingdom, Provisional Government, and Republic eras are substantial. Federal documents on Hawai'i are also acquired. As of August 1995, the collection has 46,213 titles, with a total of 118,290 volumes, including serials.
Materials from the 19th century and those which are expensive, unique, or otherwise valuable or irreplaceable require special attention and are treated as Rare Books and their use may be restricted.
Unique holdings of manuscript material include those of Francis Bishop, 1832-1835; Lady Jane Franklin, 1792-1875; David Gregg, 1853-1862; Thomas Jaggar, 1907-1953; John Rae, 1853-1872; Charles Stoddard, 1882-1883; and Thomas Thrum, 1880-1920. There are also letters signed by Hawaiian royalty, and plays by Aldyth Morris.