Toward a Hawaiian Knowledge Organization System: A Survey on Access to Hawaiian Knowledge in Libraries and Archives

Abstract

Libraries and archives in Hawai‘i and around the world contain significant collections of Hawaiian knowledge. This thesis examines the adequacy of Western Knowledge Organization Systems (KOS) for Hawaiian knowledge and presents the results of an investigation into the creation of a Hawaiian system of organizing knowledge. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of Hawaiian scholars and a sample of information professionals in Hawai‘i to discover successes and challenges in accessing Hawaiian knowledge in libraries and archives and to explore opportunities for a KOS designed for Hawaiian collections and communities. Select KOSs created and implemented by other indigenous peoples were reviewed along with past and ongoing efforts in Hawai‘i to improve access within Library of Congress classification and subject headings. Key considerations for a Hawaiian KOS are presented: the immensity of Hawaiian knowledge, decisions concerning the language of a KOS, the need for Hawaiian library and information science professionals and the importance of collaboration in the creation and maintenance of a Hawaiian KOS.