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Kalaupapa

Kalaupap Peninsula and Kalawao County news, articles, and stories.

Kalaupapa General Management Plan Released

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

NPS News Release

The National Park Service (NPS) released the Kalaupapa National Historical Park General Management Plan last week after years of planning and public input.

The plan provides broad guidance for the management of the park. It will navigate the NPS and its many partners in the protection of the Hansen’s disease community at Kalaupapa and its legacy. With malama i ka ‘aina (care for the land and waters) at its core, the plan provides direction for the preservation of Kalaupapa’s cherished resources and future visitation over the next 20 years and beyond.

“We are especially grateful to the many people who provided their mana‘o to the development of the general management plan over several years,” said Amy Sakurada, Acting Superintendent of Kalaupapa National Historical Park.…

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‘Not On Bread Alone’

Wednesday, July 21st, 2021

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

Just this morning I received an email from a friend on one of our family islands, asking me whether I would be writing an article this week for the newspapers. I responded that I felt uninspired to do so at this time and that the dry weather might be at fault, drying up my thought process. Furthermore, my brain might need some rain moisture. Well, no rain has fallen so far this morning, yet here I am penning this.

You are probably familiar with the phrase, “Not on bread alone does one live.”…

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Chattanooga Choo Choo

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

“When you hear the whistle blowing eight to the bar, Then you know that Tennessee is not very far. Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep rolling, Woo, Woo, Chattanooga, there you are.”

When you hear the whistle of a train, your thoughts may turn back in time to the voices of the Andrew Sisters or the strains of the Glen Millar Band bringing back memories of the Chattanooga Choo Choo train. If the Chattanooga Choo Choo were to blow its whistle today, it might well toot its salute to a baby just born to Julia Aleszczyk and her husband, Ryan Poland, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.…

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January Is Now Kalaupapa Month

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

January Is Now Kalaupapa Month

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last Wednesday, Gov. Ige signed into law a bill that designates January as Kalaupapa Month in Hawaii. It will “serve as an annual reminder of the importance of Kalaupapa and the significant sacrifices and contributions of its residents throughout the history of Hawaii,” the bill reads.

Kalaupapa resident John Arruda, who was sent to the peninsula in 1945 and is now 97 years old, stood next to Gov. Ige as he signed the bill. Ige presented Arruda with the pen he used.

“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.…

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‘Music of Kalaupapa’ Awarded

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa News Release

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa was presented with a Preservation Media Award by Historic Hawaii Foundation for its virtual concert, “The Music of Kalaupapa.”

The concert was recognized during a virtual ceremony recently along with seven other preservation projects and five individuals who were acknowledged for their longtime commitments to preservation of the islands’ special places and cultures. The Preservation Honor Awards by Historic Hawaii Foundation (HHF) are considered to be the highest recognition of projects in Hawaii that perpetuate, rehabilitate, restore or interpret the state’s architectural, archaeological and/or cultural heritage.

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

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2 Molokai Seals Dead from ‘Human-Inflicted Trauma’

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021

2 Molokai Seals Dead from ‘Human-Inflicted Trauma’

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Two endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals were found dead on the west end of Molokai on April 27, and state and federal officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Post-mortem exam results indicate that both seals died as a result of “human-inflicted trauma,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced last week.

There was no indication of disease or other health concerns, officials reported, and both seals were sighted the previous week appearing to be in good health.

The 4-year-old male seal known as RJ08 and 3-year-old female, RK92, were both born on Molokai and were known to spend time on Molokai’s west side.…

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Pitching Our Tents

Wednesday, May 26th, 2021

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

You may have heard the one about the detective who, on being interviewed by a friend, was asked why he stayed in a tent. He responded that he was under cover. When I think of a tent, I usually think of a scout troop or an army platoon pitching their tents under the wild blue yonder. I think of the tinkers, the Irish traveling folk, who pitched their tents on the side of the road and made tin cans for the local people. I think also of the apostles, Peter, James and John, on the mountain of Jesus’ transfiguration.…

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Free At Last

Wednesday, May 12th, 2021

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

The COVID-related meeting had been slated to happen in Pasqual Hall, the seat of Kalaupapa’s movie theater, originally dedicated in 1916 and rededicated in 2012. However, when morning dawned, we realized that the venue had been switched overnight to the shade of the great banyan tree just off Staff Row. We were not entirely surprised at this change, since this banyan tree has provided the shelter for all of our community meetings since COVID-19 hit our islands. It has been the safe gathering place.

On schedule, our Dept. of Health Administrator, Ken Seamon, appeared before us like Jesus Christ appeared to the apostles in the upper room after his resurrection.…

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Kalaupapa Today

Wednesday, April 21st, 2021

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

It is 8:30 a.m. on a Thursday morning and the trash collector has just left the church compound. There is still a residue of dew on the grassy lawn but the sun is shining, a slight breeze is blowing and soon that dew will be absorbed into the atmosphere. It would seem like any other Thursday in Kalaupapa but this day is different. It is Holy Thursday and tonight we will observe it like any of the many previous Holy Thursdays over the decades with Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m.…

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Kalaupapa’s First Seal Pup of Season

Wednesday, April 21st, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Kalaupapa welcomed its first Hawaiian monk seal pup born this season earlier this month. The baby was born to first-time mom RG18, herself born in Kalaupapa in 2015.

The Kalaupapa National Historical Park shared the news on their Facebook page, reminding the community to give new moms and pups plenty of extra space, with no swimming advised if they’re present on the beach.

Kalaupapa’s quiet coastline is a popular spot for monk seals to give birth each year, usually beginning in late March or early April. Pups are born with black fur and their coats later change to dark gray or brown.…

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