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Kalaupapa

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

Down To Earth

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Community Contributed

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

It was 4:30 a.m. as I stepped out onto the back porch and looked skyward. There it was, clearly visible to the naked eye and moving rapidly in my direction from the western sky, the International Space Station. Its sight took me back to that night in my freshman year in St. Joseph’s secondary school when we, in our pajamas, stuck our heads out the dormitory windows to catch a glimpse of the Russian Sputnik as it passed by overhead. Now, as the space station swiftly moved past my range of vision, Bailey and Titus, my longest serving mouseketeers, brought me back to earth as they showed up at my feet.…

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The Heart of the Matter

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

Community Contributed

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

I had been attempting to entertain the accompanying nurses when the anesthesiologist stuck this gadget in my mouth, presumably to keep me quiet. Then he told me to take a deep breath and then to exhale which I did. He then repeated the command which I obeyed and I swiftly slipped into the land of nod, trusting my heart to my lovely cardiologist, Dr. Carol Lai. She would zap my ticker back into a normal rhythm and would take pictures of that same ticker. When I returned to wakefulness, she had disappeared but I saw an angel hovering over me in the person of a most tender, loving care nurse.…

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Kalaupapa Memorial to Get $5M

Thursday, May 19th, 2022

Kalaupapa Memorial to Get $5M

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

For almost 20 years, families and members of nonprofit Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa have been working to make the Kalaupapa Memorial a reality, honoring the men, women and children who were taken from their families and exiled on the peninsula because they were diagnosed with Hansen’s disease. That dream came one step closer to completion when the Hawaii State Legislature approved $5 million in funding for design, planning and construction of the memorial on May 5. 

“Today was monumental for all those exiled to Kalaupapa,” said Charmaine Woodward, President of the Board of Directors of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa.…

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He is Risen

Thursday, May 5th, 2022

Community Contributed

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

With no regard for his own safety, he discarded his jacket and some of his equipment and jumped into the water. He did not know who the people were who were struggling in the water. He did not know why they were risking their lives by trying to cross the river. He did not know whether they were trying to get to a better life or were attempting to smuggle drugs into the USA. All he knew was that they were in deep trouble. So, he jumped into the water to save them.…

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Celebrating Kalaupapa Month

Wednesday, February 9th, 2022

Community Contributed

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

You may have noticed that I’ve been AWOL from these pages for the past several weeks. The reason is that my computer died a sudden and unexpected death several weeks ago, perhaps as a result of the acidity of my writings. So, last week, I spent several hours in Honolulu (make that several days) under the tutelage of our man, Bill Pimental, learning computer. Power to the Portuguese! Bill gave me a crash course on how to use my new computer as well as my new Apple smart phone. He was very patient with me, seeing that I am not the brightest bulb in the room.…

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Remember Kalaupapa This Month

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

Remember Kalaupapa This Month

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

On Jan. 6, 156 years ago, 12 people were sent to Kalaupapa as the first of an estimated 8,000 exiled there because of the government’s policies for those diagnosed with Hansen’s disease. The nine men and three women, along with those who followed, were forcibly taken from their family members, many of whom they would never again be able to see. 

Last June, Gov. Ige signed into law a bill that designates January as Kalaupapa Month in Hawaii, serving 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.…

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Soul of Compassion

Wednesday, December 15th, 2021

Community Contributed

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

At a recent convocation, the speaker told a story about two Irish priests who were out for a stroll one day in the Irish countryside. They came to the River Shiven and there standing on the riverbank, looking across the shimmering water, was a lovely young woman. She had long golden hair and a figure like an hourglass. It was clear to the two priests that she wished to cross the shallow river but she did not want to get her dress wet. So, one priest said to the other, “The compassionate thing to do would be to carry her across.”…

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Mahalo for the Meal

Wednesday, November 24th, 2021

On behalf of the Kalaupapa community, I wish to say a big mahalo to Brian Kamimoto and Scott Pires of the Department of Transportation for the delicious Thanksgiving chicken dinner from Costco that they provided for us on Nov. 17.  Thank you and God bless you.

Father Pat Killilea ss.cc.…

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Passing The Baton in Kalaupapa

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

I have lost a step or two since my high school running days 60 years ago, but I still enjoy watching track and field on television. I particularly like to watch the relay races where the first runner takes a stick (baton), takes off like a bat out of hell, passes the baton to a team mate, who in turn passes it on to another team mate, who passes it on to a fourth, who sprints to an exciting finish, baton in hand. This is no easy feat as disaster can happen in an exchange and the baton is dropped.…

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Thank You, Mokulele

Wednesday, October 20th, 2021

Greetings from Kalaupapa! On behalf of the Kalaupapa community, I wish to offer a special mahalo to the officers of Mokulele Airlines  who provided us with a special lunch/dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 22. It was most filling and delicious. I personally enjoy free lunches and dinners. So please feel free to gift us any time you wish. Go raibh mile maith agaibh. (Mahalo nui loa).

Blessings,

Father Pat Killilea ss.cc.

St. Francis, Kalaupapa.…

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