Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa Newsletter - December 2021

“E Ho‘ohanohano a E Ho‘omau. . .

. . . To Honor and To Perpetuate”

January is

Kalaupapa Kalaupap a Month

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anuary 1, 2022 will not only be the start of a new year, but the beginning of the first Kalaupapa Month to be commemorated annually across Hawai‘i Nei.

The proposal by Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa to designate each January as Kalaupapa Month was overwhelmingly supported by the Hawai‘i State Legislature and signed into law by Governor David Ige earlier this year.

“In dedicating January of each year Kalaupapa Month, we hope to inspire the people of Hawai‘i to remember the estimated 8,000 patients who were sent to Kalaupapa,” said Ige during the bill-signing ceremony in June.

“And. . . despite the odds against them, they came together to build a community of caring, respect and aloha for each other—and for the broader community.”

Continued on page 10

Above photo: The bill signing by Governor David Ige of Kalaupapa Month at Washington Place on June 16. Front, from left: Wally Inglis (with photo of Bernard Punikai‘a), Dr. Glenn Wasserman, Baron Chan, Kehaulani Lum (with Kuulei Bell), Senator Roz Baker, Governor Ige, John Arruda, Senator Lynn DeCoite, Elizabeth Brown, DeGray Vanderbilt (with Boogie Kahilihiwa), First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige; Back from left: Joseph Lapilio, Sister Davilyn Ah Chick, Jason Umemoto and Lopaka Ho‘opi‘i. Photo by Greg Lau k a la upa pa o ha na .o rg

A Message from Our Executive Director suffering, despair and heartbreak — were repeated 8,000 times for each person sent to Kalaupapa, affecting thousands of families, mostly Native Hawaiian, across all islands.

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa Board of Directors

Lopaka Ho‘opi‘i Interim President

Pauline Ahulau Chow Vice President

Kalaupapa Month is a reminder of the social justice issues we face.

Native Hawaiians made up more than 90 percent of those sent to Kalaupapa.

We know that native communities assume a disproportionate share of the negative impacts of the ills we face.

DeGray Vanderbilt Secretary

Gloria Marks Director

Sister Davilyn Ah Chick Director

Debbie Collard Director

Kehaulani Lum Director

Valerie Monson Director

Monica Lee Loy Morris Director

Jason Umemoto Director

Charmaine Woodward Director

Joseph Lapilio Executive Director

In Memoriam Bernard K. Punikai‘a Chairman of the Board, 2004-2009

Kuulei Bell President, 2004-2009

Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa President, 2009-2021

Our masthead was designed

by Kalaupapa artist Henry Nalaielua.

Newsletter editor: Valerie Monson Design: Yellowbird Graphic Design

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa P.O. Box 1111 Kalaupapa, Hawai‘i 96742 email: info@kalaupapaohana.org www.kalaupapaohana.org ©2021 Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa

Kalaupapa is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. It is a story that despite the odds, the people sent to Kalaupapa moved beyond the labels, made friends, started families, and built a community.

Joseph Lapilio and his great-grandfather, Bonepake Lapilio, holding his young son, Bernardo Palikapu Lapilio. Photo courtesy of Joseph Lapilio

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am the proud great-grandson of Bonepake Lapilio and Louisa Lui, both of whom were separated from their families as young children, sent to Kalaupapa, later met, married, and had seven children. In a cruel twist, a change in government policy resulted in their children forcibly taken from them and sent to Oahu to live in what is best described as an orphanage.

I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like to lose your family twice in your lifetime.

Bonepake was among residents reexamined in 1909 who tested negative for leprosy and was given the option to leave Kalaupapa. We believe he stayed because his wife could not leave.

After her death in 1917, Bonepake left Kalaupapa to be with his children in Honolulu.

It is even harder to imagine that stories like this — filled with pain and

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The people of Kalaupapa today are viewed not only as valuable members of society, but as some of the finest citizens in Hawai‘i who have overcome the most difficult of circumstances and have much to teach the rest of the world.

The day will come when the people of Kalaupapa will no longer be able to share, in their own voices, their stories and the legacy of Kalaupapa.

Kalaupapa Month — which will take place for the first time in January, 2022 — will make sure we always remember those voices and those stories.

Staying Connected

YOUR KALAUPAPA DIGITAL LIBRARY This photo from the Home Page of the website of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa features the start of a procession to the site of the Kalaupapa Memorial for a ho‘okupu ceremony and remembering the names of those sent to Kalaupapa. From left: Robert Ho‘opi‘i, who was born at Kalaupapa; Kalaupapa residents Pauline Chow and John Arruda; Don Stastny, architect assisting with design plans for the Memorial, and Kalaupapa resident Boogie Kahilihiwa.

Photo by Wayne Levin

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a ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa started out with 70 founding members who gathered in 2003 at Kalaupapa for a two-day workshop to discuss our new organization’s mission and priorities. It was easy to stay in touch on a personal basis back then.

Our mailing list now includes more than 1,300 individuals who have attended our public presentations over the years, asked for help in finding their ancestors or simply signed up to receive our annual newsletters or other communications.

How can our growing ‘Ohana keep feeling close to one another? How can everyone stay best informed and educated — and feel included? Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa decided to build a digital library of as many of our resources as possible. This library is our website: www.kalaupapaohana.org

Are you looking for an ancestor at Kalaupapa?

We encourage all of you to use this website as not only a way to stay connected, but as your go-to source for educational resources about the history of Kalaupapa. We have included a list of recommended books based on the words of the people of Kalaupapa; booklets to download and two videos to watch: a 5-minute video that’s a brief introduction to the history and people of Kalaupapa -- and our 90-minute concert, “The Music of Kalaupapa,” that pays tribute to the often-forgotten musicians of Kalaupapa.

You will find stories and photos of our “Restoration of Family Ties” program that has helped hundreds of descendants learn more about their Kalaupapa ancestors. If you think your ancestor was at Kalaupapa, we might be able to help you.

The website also includes features on how the ‘Ohana got started and a tribute to our founder Bernard K. Punikai‘a. Another link presents the ongoing comments Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa has submitted to the National Park Service since 2009 with our thoughts on the future of Kalaupapa and the plans of the Park Service. There is a special “News” category of more recent happenings and an archive of all our past newsletters.

As part of Kalaupapa Month observations, we will be adding a description of special events that will be updated.

For more about Kalaupapa, the people, the history and Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, visit our website: www.kalaupapaohana.org

The ‘Ohana wants to hear from you so we can help. Hopefully, we can provide information that should get you on the path to finding any ancestors you might have had at Kalaupapa. The ‘Ohana believes that the descendants of Kalaupapa are one of our organization’s greatest strengths.

Please contact us at info.kalaupapa@gmail.com and let us help you bring home your Kalaupapa ancestors. They are not lost. . . they are waiting for you.

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Living On Forever in Our The community of Kalaupapa — and all of Hawai‘i — suffered enormous losses this year with the passing of three Kalaupapa residents: Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa, Makia Malo and Barbara “Bobbie” Marks.

Boogie Kahilihiwa

Boogie Kahilihiwa, President of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, welcomes ‘Ohana supporters to the 2018 annual meeting at Kalaupapa.

Photo: Henry G. Law

worked for the State of Hawai‘i at Kalaupapa, but he might have become most well known after retirement when he became manager of the Kalaupapa Bookstore, greeting hundreds of visitors each year, and as longtime President of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, speaking up on behalf of the rights of the residents and advocating for The Kalaupapa Memorial. He was married for 43 years to his cherished wife, Ivy.

Boogie and Ivy Kahilihiwa, married for 43 years, beneath the cliffs of Kalaupapa.

Photo: Brad Goda

Boogie Kahilihiwa receives a lei from Kalaupapa descendant Momilani Cheek during a Remembrance Ceremony at the future site of The Kalaupapa Memorial.

The ceremony remembers all those who died at Kalaupapa.

Photo: Henry G. Law

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Hearts: Boogie, Bobbie and Makia Each left their own indelible imprint on Kalaupapa through leadership, advocacy, faith, the arts, love and friendship. All three had been taken from their families at young ages — Boogie at 9 years old, Makia nearly 13 and Bobbie at 15. They eventually rebuilt their lives at Kalaupapa.

Barbara “Bobbie” Marks works on a painting at the Kalaupapa Craft Shop. Photo: Valerie Monson

Makia Malo

Bobbie Marks

went from Kalaupapa to the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa where he graduated with a degree in Hawaiian Studies and was an acclaimed storyteller who traveled the world. Makia was an outspoken advocate of eliminating the offensive word “leper” from our language. He delivered a chant at the opening of an exhibit at the United Nations. Makia’s beloved wife, Ann, died in 2008.

seemed to hold almost any job imaginable at Kalaupapa during her life there: warehouse clerk, store clerk, office clerk, orderly, bookstore manager, and her favorite job: writing letters for the older Kalaupapa residents who had lost their eyesight.

She was a self-taught artist who created beautiful paintings and never lost her love for learning. Bobbie’s former husband, Eddie, and their only son, Kaipo, predeceased her.

Makia Malo at the United Nations for the opening of an exhibit in 1997.

Photo: Valerie Monson

Multi-talented Makia Malo playing piano at McVeigh Hall at Kalaupapa.

Photo: Valerie Monson

Bobbie Marks during the days when she greeted visitors and worked at the Kalaupapa Book Store.

Photo: Valerie Monson

Aloha and mahalo, Boogie, Makia and Bobbie. You will forever live on our hearts.

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The Kalaupapa Memorial

‘THE MEMORIAL WILL BE HERE FOREVER’ “I hope that the (Kalaupapa) Memorial is something everyone will want to see so they can read the names. Once we’re gone, we’re gone, but the Memorial will be here forever.” — Gloria L. Marks,

businesswoman and former Chairperson of the Kalaupapa Patients Advisory Council who was admitted to Kalaupapa in 1960.

Gloria has served on the Board of Directors of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa since the first Board was seated in 2004.

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hose words of Gloria Marks rang truer than ever this year as we said goodbye to three more Kalaupapa residents: Boogie Kahilihiwa, Makia Malo and Barbara Marks. All three were founding members of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa and supported The Kalaupapa Memorial which will list the names of everyone who was sent to Kalaupapa.

When the subject of Kalaupapa comes up, the question most often asked is “How many people are left?” We have two answers. While there are now nine Kalaupapa residents still living, including Gloria, those of us with Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa like to say there are still nearly 8,000 Kalaupapa residents among us. We feel them every day.

Kalaupapa residents (and one son of Kalaupapa) gather around the ahu at the future site of the Kalaupapa Memorial following a ceremony where lei and ho‘okupu were presented. From left: Robert Ho‘op‘i, who was born at Kalaupapa, along with Kalaupapa residents John Arruda, Winnie Harada, Pauline Chow and Boogie Kahilihiwa. Boogie died earlier this year. Photo by Wayne Levin

As Gloria pointed out, the Kalaupapa Memorial will keep the names of everyone alive forever so their presence will always be felt generations from now — never more so than when a descendant or friend locates a particular name on the Memorial and rubs their hand over the engraving. That will be a moment never to be forgotten.

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa was just beginning the fundraising phase for the Kalaupapa Memorial in late 2019 and early 2020 when Covid-19 unexpectedly swept in to devastate the lives of so many.

We put the fundraising on hold as we felt this was not the right time to be asking for donations when our community — and the entire world — faced so many desperate needs.

But our planning efforts continued.

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Thanks to the services of G70, the Honolulu-based architectural and planning firm, the final design plans for the Memorial are nearing completion to meet government approvals.

As for fundraising for the Memorial, Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa will be renewing our efforts in 2022. After finding so much support from the State Legislature in early 2020 (pre-Covid), we will be returning to seek the help of legislators once again. We also have ideas to get more descendants and friends of Kalaupapa involved so they will feel a part of building the Memorial.

By displaying all the names of those sent to Kalaupapa, the Memorial will serve as symbol of justice and, as Gloria Marks said, will ensure that those names will always be remembered.

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation Preservation Award

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ow can a concert preserve history?

When that concert celebrates “The Music of Kalaupapa.” This past spring, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation presented Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa with a preservation award for Interpretive Media for our virtual concert that was part music, part documentary — and all inspiring.

It was the sixth Preservation Award bestowed upon Ka ‘Ohana by Historic Hawai‘i Foundation in the past eight years. The annual awards are considered the highest recognition of preservation efforts throughout the islands.

The sixth Historic Hawai‘i Foundation award for Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa

format included a narrative that provided the historical context of the place, music and composers interspersed with performances by contemporary artists.”

A list of Historic Hawai‘i Preservation awards to Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa 2014 – “A Source of Light,

Constant and NeverFading,” a historical exhibit focusing on the strong relationship of the Royal Family and the people of Kaluapapa.

The 90-minute

“The Music of Kalaupapa concert celebrates and memorializes the music and songwriters of Kalaupapa,” wrote Kiersten Faulkner, Executive Director of HHF in her congratulatory letter to Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa. “Its informative and engaging

documentary-concert featured beloved songs composed by oftenforgotten musicians of Kalaupapa along with historical and modern-day photographs. The event, produced by Chris Lau, was brought to life by the beautiful narration of broadcast journalist Billy V and songs performed

by Brother Noland, Melveen Leed, Kevin Brown, Stephen Inglis, Makana and Lopaka Ho‘opi‘i.

The Kalaupapa musicians honored were: The ‘Aikala Brothers, Ernest Kala, Helen Keao, Samson Kuahine, George McLane, Bernard K. Punikai‘a and the Boys of Kalawao.

The concert can be viewed at no charge on the website of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa: www.kalaupapaohana.org

Samson Kuahine (top row with bass) with friends and fellow musicians at Kalaupapa. Photo courtesy Saint Marianne Cope Shrine & Museum

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2015 – “The Restoration of

Family Ties,” the program developed by Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa to help families reconnect to their Kalaupapa ancestors.

2015 – “A Reflection of

Kalaupapa: Past, Present and Future,” a photo exhibit featuring the people of Kalaupapa and family members.

2016 – “The Pride of

a Nation,” a 5-minute introductory video to the history and people of Kalaupapa.

2018 – “A History of

Leprosy/Hansen’s Disease in Hawai‘i: Significant People, Events and Dates,” a 16-page timeline about the history of leprosy in Hawai‘i.

2021 – “The Music of

Kalaupapa,” a concertdocumentary that showcases the songs composed by musicians at Kalaupapa.

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa Pauline Ahulau Chow has been a resident of Kalaupapa for nearly 60 years and is a founding member of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa. She currently serves as Vice President. Pauline is the retired manager of Bay View Home at Kalaupapa. She is one of nine remaining Kalaupapa residents.

GUIDING KA ‘OHANA

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a ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa’s Board of Directors has always been led by Kalaupapa residents, family members/ descendants and longtime friends.

Nearly all the officers on the first Board of Directors were Kalaupapa residents: Kuulei Bell was President, Winnie Harada Vice President and Gloria Marks Treasurer with Bernard K. Punikai‘a serving as Chairman of the Board. Other residents on that first Board were Makia Malo and Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa. When Kuulei Bell died in 2009, Boogie was elected to succeed her as President.

As we all sadly know, Boogie died earlier this year.

Gloria Lutu Marks has been a resident of Kalaupapa for more than 60 years. She served as Treasurer on the first Board of Directors of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa and continues as a Director. Gloria is the retired owner of Damien Tours, a business she founded with her husband, Richard, that offered tours at Kalaupapa.

She was the longtime Chairwoman of the Kalaupapa Patients Advisory Council. Along with Pauline, Gloria is one of nine remaining Kalaupapa residents.

As Bernard intended when he envisioned Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, family members/ descendants and longtime friends would eventually lead the ‘Ohana when residents were no longer able to do so. Ka ‘Ohana is still fortunate to have two Kalaupapa kupuna on our Board: Gloria Marks, the only person to have served on the Board from the very beginning, and Pauline Ahulau Chow who joined the Board in 2008. Both continue to provide valuable leadership and advice to the rest of the Board.

Sister Davilyn Ah Chick is a Sister of St. Francis and has been part of the Sisters’ 138-year relationship with Kalaupapa since she joined the Franciscans as a young woman. She is a longtime religious, educator, formator, leader, administrator, and volunteer locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

She is a founding member of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa and a Director since 2012.

Debbie Collard’s mother, Odetta Weight, was born in Kalaupapa to Marcia Kane and Harold Weight. Debbie’s grandparents and great-grandmother, Stella Waiamau are buried in Kalaupapa. Debbie is a staff nurse at the Kalaupapa Care Home where her responsibilities include caring for the kupuna remaining at Kalaupapa.

We wanted to take this chance to give all of you readers — who are the lifeblood of the ‘Ohana — a better idea of those who guide Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa.

We look forward to hearing from any of you with thoughts or ideas: info.kalaupapa@gmail.com

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Board of Directors Lopaka Ho‘opi‘i is the son of Robert Ho‘opi‘i who was born at Kalaupapa and sent to O‘ahu at the age of 2 to be raised in an orphanage.

Lopaka’s grandfather, Alex, is buried at Kalaupapa. Lopaka visited Kalaupapa as a college student and directed services at the LDS Chapel through the summer of 1985. He has been with Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa since 2014. Lopaka is a retired firefighter and taro farmer. He is Interim President of the Board of Directors.

Kehaulani Lum first visited Kalaupapa, in the 1980s, when she led a U.S. House Appropriations Committee fact-finding mission. More than 40 years earlier, her grand-uncle, Henry Kalalahilimoku Nalaielua, and his sisters, Evelyn and Christina, were sent to the Settlement, as children, and remained there, for their entire lives.

Valerie Monson is a founding member of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa who served as Coordinator beginning in 2008 and, later, as Executive Director, through 2020. She began visiting Kalaupapa in 1989 as a reporter for The Maui News and has been interviewing the Kalaupapa residents, family members and others with close ties to the community ever since.

Monica Lee Loy Morris’ grandfather is Alfred Clement Hoopii, a resident of Kalaupapa. Her godfather is Henry Naleielua. Monica’s fatherin-law, Dr. Alfred Morris, served as a medical consultant at Kalaupapa and Acting Director at Leahi Hospital through the Hawaii Department of Health. Monica is an attorney and worked with a number of state agencies, including the Attorney General’s office and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

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Jason Umemoto is connected to Kalaupapa through his great-uncle Ed Kato, who was a resident and artist of Kalaupapa. Jason visited his Uncle Ed on various occasions at Kalaupapa.

He has been with Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa since 2014 and serves as the Chairman of the Kalaupapa Memorial Committee. Jason is a landscape architect based on Oahu.

DeGray Vanderbilt is a founding member of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, Secretary of the Board and serves as compliance specialist for the Kalaupapa Memorial Committee. He is a retired developer with a background in finance and the former Chairman of the Moloka‘i Planning Commission.

DeGray has been Santa Claus at Kalaupapa for the past 25 years.

Charmaine Woodward (pictured with son Jacob Aaron Kahilikūikala’i Woodward) is the great-granddaughter of longtime Kalaupapa resident and businessman, David Kamahana. She is currently an instructor and information technology manager at Ka Waihona O Ka Naauao, a charter school in Nanakuli, Oahu. She has served on the ‘Ohana Board of Directors for 11 years.

January is

KALAUPAPA MONTH Continued from page 1

Ige was joined at the ceremony at Washington Place by leaders of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa— including longtime resident John Arruda—along with State Senators Roz Baker and Lynn DeCoite and officials from the State Department of Health. Ka ‘Ohana leaders carried large photos of Kalaupapa residents Bernard Punikai’a, Kuulei Bell and Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa, all leaders of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa who have died, but continue to lead us.

general public will remember how so many of the people of Kalaupapa overcame the challenges of a misunderstood disease and separation from family to find happiness, love and community.

“Kalaupapa Month is not a celebration,” said Joseph Lapilio, Executive Director of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa. “It’s a commemoration and a remembrance, a time to learn more about the history of Kalaupapa, to talk about our ancestors sent there and how we can all make sure everyone is remembered.”

“Kalaupapa Month” was an idea that Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa first shared with now-retired Senator J. Kalani English whose district included Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa selected January as the Kalaupapa. During his career, Senator English time to remember the made a number of visits to history of Kalaupapa Kalaupapa and became friends and honor the people with many of the residents. He because of the number “Kalaupapa Month will be a time quickly embraced the idea and of significant dates that took it to his colleagues. to think about all our people who occurred during that were sent here, all that we went Testimonies in support of the month throughout the bill were sent in by Arruda and history of Kalaupapa. through and who we are.” other Kalaupapa residents, Between 1866 and 1969, —John Arruda, Kalaupapa resident descendants and friends of nearly 8,000 people were Kalaupapa, Bishop Larry Silva, taken from their families the State Department of Health, and forcibly isolated at ‘Iolani Palace and Historic Hawai‘i Foundation.

Kalaupapa because they were diagnosed with leprosy, now also called Hansen’s disease.

Baker noted that Kalaupapa Month will give the people of Hawaii “an opportunity to really think Following the ceremony, John Arruda reflected about how we treat others.” on what the recognition means to him.

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“Freedom was taken away from us and it means a lot that the State—the Legislature and the Governor— want to honor our people in this way,” said Arruda, a youthful 97 years old who stood next to Ige when the Governor signed the bill. “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.”

Ka ‘Ohana hopes that families will take time during the month to learn more about their ancestors who were sent to Kalaupapa, that teachers will include Kalaupapa in their classrooms, that churches will honor the people of Kalaupapa in their services and that the

DeCoite thanked Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa for bringing the proposal to establish Kalaupapa Month to the Legislature. She noted that creating Kalaupapa Month is a “sign of respect and aloha” to Kalaupapa’s legacy.

For more information on ways to observe Kalaupapa Month, visit our website: www. kalaupapaohana.org If you have any ideas to commemorate a special date in January or Kalaupapa Month in general, please contact Lapilio at: josephwlapilio3@gmail.com Mahalo to everyone for making Kalaupapa Month a time to remember.

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Kalaupapa Remembrance Day January 6

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa gathers in their traditional Circle of Remembrance at the future site of the Kalaupapa Memorial. Photo: Henry G. Law

Significant dates in January throughout the History of Kalaupapa 8

January 3, 1840 Saint Damien — then Jozef De Veuster — was born in Tremelo, Belgium.

January 5, 1879

mbrose Hutchison, diagnosed with leprosy, A arrived at Kalaupapa; he lived there for the next 53 years.

January 6, 1866

T he first 12 citizens of Hawai‘i were sent to the Kalaupapa peninsula because of government policies regarding leprosy.

January 23, 1838 Saint Marianne — then Barbara Koob — was born in Germany.

January, 1895

T he final kama‘aina (original residents) were forced to leave the peninsula.

January 24, 1931

J ack and Mary Sing, much-loved leaders of the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Kalaupapa, were married on this day.

January 26, 1978 Eight residents of Hale Mohalu in Pearl City —

established in 1949 as an alternative to Kalaupapa — were relocated to Leahi Hospital against their will. Others refused to leave, beginning a movement for the rights of the people of Kalaupapa.

Kalaupapa Sunday Fourth Sunday of January: The Hawai‘i Conference

for the United Church of Christ designated this day to remember the people of Kalaupapa.

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T

he most significant event in the history of Kalaupapa occurred on January 6, 1866, when the first 12 people were sent to the peninsula, taken from their families and communities because they were believed to have leprosy. They were the first of nearly 8,000 men, women and children who would follow.

The names of those first 12 people: Kahauliko, Loe, Liilii, Lono, Kini, Puha, Kainaina, Kaaumoana, Waipio, Nahuina, Lakapu and Kepihe.

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa has designated January 6 as “Kalaupapa Remembrance Day.” This is not a day to be celebrated, but to be remembered with prayer and deep thoughts. For those who had family or friends at Kalaupapa, gather your ‘ohana to remember your loved ones sent there. We hope as many people as possible will stop to think about what happened on this day in 1866.

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa “E Ho‘ohanohano a E Ho‘omau. . . . . . To Honor and To Perpetuate”

P.O. Box 1111 Kalaupapa HI 96742 Email: info.kalaupapa@gmail.com www.kalaupapaohana.org

INSIDE: January is Kalaupapa Month!

Merry Christmas from Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa Support Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa

Photo by Valerie Monson

For many years, Paul Harada would grow poinsettias to be displayed during Christmas at St. Francis Church in Kalaupapa. In this photo, taken in the mid-1990s, Paul arrives at the church with a truckload of his beautiful plants where he was met by a special visitor from the North Pole who had just arrived to attend the annual Kalaupapa Lions Club party. Paul died in 2008. His wife, Winnie, continues to live at Kalaupapa.

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Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa relies on donations from supporters like you to enable our programs to grow.

Your contributions will help us reconnect more descendants to their Kalaupapa ancestors, continue and expand our educational programs, establish The Kalaupapa Memorial and more. Please consider a donation to the ‘Ohana.

Mahalo in advance.

Send your donations to: Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa PO Box 1111 Kalaupapa, Hawai‘i 96742 Or donate by visiting our ‘Ohana website www.kalaupapaohana.org