January 2024
“E Ho‘ohanohano a E Ho‘omau. . .
. . . To Honor and To Perpetuate”
JANUARY is Kalaupapa Month “To me, Kalaupapa Month will be a time to think about all our people who were sent here, all that we went through and who we are.” — John Arruda, 99, sent to Kalaupapa in 1945. Mr. Arruda still lives independently in his home at Kalaupapa, drives his truck around the peninsula and attends St. Francis Church regularly. Photo: Wayne Levin
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anuary 1 — the new year — is also the beginning of Kalaupapa Month, a time to focus on the history of Kalaupapa and pay tribute to the people there who overcame so much. Kalaupapa Month was proposed by Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa and signed into law in the summer of 2021 by Governor David Ige. Recent Kalaupapa Months have been filled with descendants sharing their stories with the media, special webinars, essays on the significant dates and other learning opportunities. We hope that January 2024, brings more awareness about the people of Kalaupapa — people who have been
Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa is a 501-c-3 nonprofit organization dedicated to remembering and honoring each of the nearly 8,000 men, women and children who were taken from their families and sent to the Kalaupapa peninsula because they had been diagnosed with leprosy (now also called Hansen’s disease). Ka ‘Ohana also remembers the kama’aina of the peninsula, the kokua who accompanied their loved
described as “the pride of a nation,” by Mercy Hutchison Bacon, whose great uncle Ambrose Hutchison is one of those honored during Kalaupapa Month. Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa encourages others across the islands to echo the words of John Arruda and think about all the people who were sent to Kalaupapa — and all the struggles they faced. Yet many of those individuals rose above the suffering and went on to lead happy and accomplished lives — they are role models for all of us in overcoming adversity. Whether it’s January — or any other month — we can always remember the people of Kalaupapa and the lessons they have taught us.
ones to Kalaupapa and the children born there, many of whom were separated from their parents. Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa was envisioned by Kalaupapa leader Bernard K. Punikai‘a. Ka ‘Ohana was established in 2003 by Kalaupapa residents, family members/descendants and friends of the community.