Kalaupapa

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

Kalaupapa Informational Briefing

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Dept. of Health News Release

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Park Service (NPS), is hosting a Kalaupapa Informational Briefing on Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. at Kaunakakai Elementary School on Molokai. Members of the public with an interest in Kalaupapa are encouraged to attend.

The agencies recognize that there are questions about the complex history and jurisdiction of Kalaupapa and what management tasks are overseen by each agency. At this meeting, representatives from DOH, DHHL, DLNR, DOT and NPS will share their current roles and responsibilities in Kalaupapa and Kalawao County and how they are working together to support the patients and steward this special place.…

Kalaupapa Tree Preservation Project

Thursday, September 19th, 2024

Kalaupapa Tree Preservation Project

Over the summer, arborists from Windward Community College made the trip to Kalaupapa in the hopes of preserving elements of the unique community on Molokai’s northern coast. Funded by a grant from the National Park Service, The Arboriculture Workforce Training and Development Program is a five-year program looking to ensure that the trees and cultural landscape of the peninsula continue to thrive. It’s focused on training park workers in tree care techniques, natural mulching, proper staking and planting methods, grafting, air layering and more. If you need help maintaining your landscaping trees, you may consider seeking Lynchburg tree services.

“The goal is to provide the workers with the skills and knowledge they need to maintain the park,” explained Maria-Elena Diaz, director of career and community education at Windward Community College.…

Kalaupapa Barge Day

Wednesday, September 11th, 2024

Kalaupapa Barge Day

By Jack Kiyonaga | Editor 

Each year, Christmas comes early for the residents of Kalaupapa. In unique tradition, members of the smallest county in the U.S. patiently await the annual arrival of new kitchen appliances, recliner chairs, gasoline, gravel for road repairs, trucks, non-perishable foods, and everything in-between via the Young Brothers barge. 

“It’s a big day,” explained National Park Service Community Engagement Specialist Mikiala Pescaia. 

Taking place on Saturday, Aug. 31, this year’s barge was loaded with “anything that doesn’t fit on a Kamaka airplane,” explained Pescaia. The barge also allows for Kalauapapa residents to ship out larger items, including remnants from former patients’ estates, as well as pump out their septic tanks. …

New Deputy Superintendent for Kalaupapa

Friday, June 28th, 2024

New Deputy Superintendent for Kalaupapa

National Park Service News Release

Please join us in welcoming Linh Anh Cat as Kalaupapa’s new deputy superintendent. We are looking forward to exercising her skills to enhance the park’s management capacity at this critical time.
Linh Anh Cat started in her new role as deputy superintendent at Kalaupapa National Historical Park earlier this month. She was the integrated resources management lead at Cabrillo National Monument before joining Kalaupapa National Historical Park as the natural resource management division lead in July 2022. Within the National Park Service, Linh Anh has worked on furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion goals at park, network, regional, and service wide levels.…

Once in a Century

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Community Contributed
By Fr Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

The chatter of excited voices was momentarily hushed, then broke into loud cheers and applause as he entered McVeigh Hall, weighed down by numerous leis and topped by a colorful hat. The setting compared with the aftermath of the super bowl when Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs was showered with accolades. It was like those die-hard fans greeting the second coming of King Elvis. It was reminiscent of the president entering the Hall of Congress prepared to give the State of the Union Address. He took his seat at the head table.…

New Fuel Facility at Kalaupapa

Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

NPS News Release

The National Park Service (NPS) is requesting public input on a proposal to construct a new fuel facility at Kalaupapa National Historical Park and is releasing an environmental assessment (EA) for a 30-day review period from April 19 to May 19, 2024. The EA has been prepared to meet both the project implementation requirements of the state and federal government in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act, and analyzes the environmental impacts of a no action alternative and the proposed action alternative.
The proposed facility would be located east of Staff Row and the Damien Loop intersection.…

Happy Birthday, St. Marianne

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Community Contributed
By Fr. Pat Killilea ss.cc., St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa
Glory be to God, Mokulele Flight 999 touched down and taxied to a stop at Kalaupapa Airport only a few minutes behind schedule. We had neglected to lay down the red carpet, but who needs that when there is a warm welcome awaiting. Down the steps came Msgr. Robert Sarno, his golden dome glowing in the morning light. He was accompanied by Dr. Maria DeVera, Sisters Joan Souza, Davilyn Chick and Margaret Burnett, James Jackson, and Fathers Andrew Baranski and Paul Houlis. They received a standing ovation on arrival at Terminal 1.…

Dutton on the Path to Sainthood

Wednesday, January 10th, 2024

Dutton on the Path to Sainthood

Molokai is one step closer to having its third Catholic saint. Joseph Dutton, who served in Kalaupapa for 44 years, will be submitted to the Vatican for canonization consideration on Jan. 21. If approved, Dutton would join St. Damien and St. Marianne Cope as Catholic saints serving Hansen’s disease patients exiled in Kalaupapa.

A formal cause of canonization for Dutton was opened by the Diocese of Honolulu in May of 2022. Now, the nearly 2,000 pages of evidence gathered since then will be reviewed by the Church. Dutton needs proof of one miracle after his death to be named as “Blessed,” which is one step before sainthood.…

Kalaupapa Month

Thursday, January 4th, 2024

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa News Release

January is Kalaupapa Month.

Two years ago, Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa proposed designating January as Kalaupapa Month to the Hawaii State Legislature which gave the bill unanimous approval. Governor David Ige signed the legislation into law.

Ka ‘Ohana President Charmaine Woodward, whose great-grandparents are buried at Kalaupapa, sees Kalaupapa Month as a “time of remembrance and celebration — it is the time we celebrate their lives, their legacy, and their love. By overcoming adversity, the people of Kalaupapa guide us on how to traverse difficult situations by portraying characteristics of unconditional love, true faith, and family.”…

The Gathering Place

Wednesday, November 1st, 2023

Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

The Irish parliament (Dail) members were gathering for an important legislative session. As they all filed in to take their seats, there was a lot of semi-formal chatter with some money being exchanged. One member rushed in somewhat late, sat down, then unsure what already happened, he leaned over to his neighbor and asked, “Has the meeting started yet?” 

The other member chuckled and said, “No. This is the time for placing of bets for the Sunday game.” 

Well at least the Irish members of parliament get their priorities straight, unlike other gatherings of government representatives!…