A large amount of non-published written material is available in the Archives.  This non-published primary source material is usually referred to as manuscripts. 

It includes records relating to early business activities of notable Hawaii companies, such as T.H. Davies and the Dillingham Corporation.  Manuscript material also includes personal papers, letters, and diaries. 

Many of Hawaii's royalty (including Bernice Pauahi Bishop and Queen Lili'uokalani) deposited their personal papers at Bishop Museum.