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Kalaupapa

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

New Catholic Priest for Kalaupapa

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

New Catholic Priest for Kalaupapa

July 11 marked what Kalaupapa’s new Catholic priest believes is the fulfillment of his destiny. Father Patrick Killilea was installed as the pastor of the peninsula’s St. Francis Church, replacing Father Ambrose Sapa, who was reassigned to serve on Oahu.

“My story really begins in Kalaupapa in the summer of 2004,” said Killilea, a native of Ireland who had been serving in Massachusetts. He had come over to Kalaupapa to visit fellow members of the Sacred Hearts order — of which St. Damien was also a member.

“The words… ‘Damien the Blessed’… nearly brought me to tears,” he said. “I knew [then] I was destined to be here.”…

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Blessings from the Barge

Sunday, July 15th, 2012

Blessings from the BargeKalaupapa receives long-awaited annual barge delivery

The normally calm demeanor of the Kalaupapa settlement was replaced with hustle and bustle on Saturday morning as residents chatted excitedly about what many have dubbed “Christmas in July.” It marked the once-a-year barge that hauls in essential supplies like building materials, fuel, vehicles and other goods from Oahu to the isolated settlement.

Hawaiian interisland shipping company Young Brothers Ltd. currently has a five-year contract to bring in the barge, which costs $200,000 every year, according to Kalaupapa DOH Administrator Mark Miller. This is the only vessel in the state that’s small enough to fit in the remote harbor, and timing is critical.…

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Connecting Kalaupapa

Sunday, June 24th, 2012

Settlement to receive broadband Internet service in July

Next month, Kalaupapa residents can expect to receive broadband Internet service for the first time in the settlement’s history. Workers and patient residents of the famously remote peninsula have often felt isolated, with little or no Internet, sometimes unreliable telephones, and limited physical access.

“This is a major step forward in communications for Kalaupapa,” said Department of Health Kalaupapa Administrator Mark Miller, who added settlement officials have been trying to get high speed Internet to Kalaupapa for the past four years. Miller said the installation will also mark the first time his office will be able to be connected to the state DOH system, rather than operating largely through the postal service.…

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Repairs for Kalaupapa

Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

The Kalaupapa National Park Service (NPS) has been busy with restoration projects both in the settlement and on topside Molokai. For those hoping to get a taste of Kalaupapa without the arduous hike, newly replaced informational exhibits are now displayed at the overlook at Pala`au State Park in Kala`e.

Crews worked last week to repair the rock wall and improve the overall appearance of the overlook area, said Steve Prokop, Kalaupapa NPS superintendent. Improvements included replacing the weather-worn plaques that tell the story of the settlement’s history, which had become difficult to read since their original installation about 20 years ago, said Prokop.…

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Kalaupapa Restoration Recognized

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

Kalaupapa Restoration Recognized

Historic Hawaii Foundation News Release

Paschoal Hall in Kalaupapa is one of the historic preservation projects chosen state-wide to be honored by the Historic Hawaii Foundation. The achievement awards will be presented at the 37th annual awards ceremony on May 11 in Honolulu.

The Paschoal Hall award was presented to National Park Service, Mason Architects, Inc., Encore Seating Restorations and The Teecor Group Inc. for interior restoration of the Kalaupapa social building. Built in 1916, Paschoal Hall is a relatively unaltered example of Hawaiian vernacular architecture. The building is a prominent and significant building in the Kalaupapa National Historical Park district and cultural landscape.…

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Proposed Marine Corps Training on Molokai

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

The U.S. Marine Corps is looking to expand their presence in Hawaii, and some of their proposed operations may take place on Molokai. New aircraft would be based at Kaneohe on Oahu, but the Marine Corp’s draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) calls for increased activity at the Kalaupapa airport, and use of the Ho`olehua Airport for training.

“With new squadrons [coming], it’s important to take a look at all potentially available facilities,” said Maj. Alan Crouch.

The proposed activity was met with unanimous objection from Molokai residents who attended a Marine Corps consultation meeting last week. A public scoping meeting for the project was held on Molokai back in 2010, with a public comment period open last fall.…

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Kalaupapa Storm Damage

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

Kalaupapa Storm Damage

While Molokai residents were battling flooding two weeks ago, Kalaupapa was also hit with damages. This garage was one of 13 structures in the settlement affected by rain and high wind for a total of $300,000 in damages, according to Kalaupapa National Park Superintendent Steve Prokop. While some homes suffered loss of roofing shingles that might require the service of a roofing contractor Greensboro, other damages were more serious; two garages were flattened. Dynamic Roofing Concepts, Inc. committed to roofing excellence in Lakeland Florida can help provide professional roofing services.

“My admin building had a waterfall wall at one point and operations were moved to another location,” said Department of Health Kalaupapa Administrator Mark Miller.…

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Kalaupapa Munitions Clean-Up

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

Kalaupapa Munitions Clean-Up

Not only was Kalaupapa historically known as a place of exile for patients of Hansen’s disease, but the peninsula was also used as a bombing range during the 1940s. As with other Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDs) around the state, efforts are being made to remove the unexploded ordnance. This fall, crews will be working in Kalaupapa to clean up the area.

A 937-acre region on the northwest side of the peninsula is known as the Makanalua Bombing Range. It was used by the U.S. Navy for bombing and rocket training from 1941 to 1946. Now, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Native Hawaiian Veterans, a munitions response company called USA Environmental and others are spearheading the clean-up.…

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Senate Bill Encourages Remote Air Service

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Hawaii Senate News Release

The Hawaii State Senate passed Senate Bill 2960 last week that would suspend landing fees for air carriers that provide interisland service to rural airports, which include Kapalua, Hana, Kalaupapa, Lanai, Molokai and Waimea-Kohala airports.

“This measure encourages commercial air carriers to continue service to the remote parts of our State,” said Sen. J. Kalani English, chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation and International Affairs. “In effect, I hope it increase reliability and stabilize air fares.”

According to a Department of Transportation report, flight activity at Kalaupapa, Kapalua, Hana, Waimea-Kohala and Lanai has steadily declined over the last five years.…

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Kalaupapa Post Office to Remain Open

Sunday, March 4th, 2012

The tiny Kalaupapa Post Office, after being earmarked for possible closure by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), will now remain open. The one-woman office, described as a lifeline for the fewer than 100 residents of the remote settlement, was removed from the list of thousands of offices nationwide being considered for closure because of its necessity to the community, according to USPS spokesperson Duke Gonzales.

“We removed Kalaupapa from consideration [for closure] because it was clear that the Postal Service plays a unique role as a necessary lifeline between the isolated Kalaupapa community and the outside world,” Gonzales said.

With no cell phone service and limited Internet access in the settlement, residents rely on the mail to complete bank transactions, receive medications and do business, according to Department of Health Kalaupapa Administrator Mark Miller.…

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