The Hawaiian Historical Society invites the public to a free program on Thursday, November 17, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kana’ina Building on the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace. The program celebrates the publication of a facsimile reprint edition of He Mau Palapala Aina, A Me Na Niele E Pili Ana, Maps and Questions Regarding them (Lahainaluna, 1840).

The program will feature presentations by Puakea Nogelmeier (left), associate professor of Hawaiian language at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, and James Rumford (right), author and proprietor of Mānoa Press. Nogelmeier will discuss traditional Hawaiian knowledge systems and how they changed with the advent of new technology and forms of documentation. Rumford will demonstrate the art and technique of copper plate engraving.

He Mau Palapala Aina, A Me Na Niele E Pili Ana, Maps and Questions Regarding them is a rare collection of maps of the world published as an atlas at Lahainaluna in 1840. This reprint edition was produced by Barbara Pope Book Design of Honolulu. It is available in cloth ($40.00) and softcover ($30.00) editions.

The Kana’ina Building (Old Archives Building) is located on the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu. Free parking is available on the Palace grounds. For further information, contact the Hawaiian Historical Society office, 560 Kawaiaha‘o Street, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813. Telephone 808-537-6271. E-mail hhsbarb@lava.net.