Kalaupapa

Visitors Bring Special Connection to Kalaupapa

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020

A group taking a tour at Kalaupapa was treated to a nice surprise last week. Two visitors in the group were relatives of a nun who lived in the Hansen’s disease settlement more than 70 years ago. With help from two resident nuns, the visitors were able to find their ancestor’s picture on a convent’s wall.

“Sometimes, people come to find their ancestors’ grave, and that is very exciting,” Kekaula Tours guide Rick Schonely said. “But this was the first time that we found an ancestor that was a nun who served there and had her picture on the wall at the convent.”…

‘Last of the Summer Wine’

Wednesday, August 7th, 2019

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

He is short and scrubby. She is tall and rock jawed. He lives on the first floor, while she lives on the second level right above him. For some unexplained reason, she is his heart throb, while he is her most constant nuisance. For him love is blind, so it is not unusual for him to appear at her door or to climb a ladder to her second-floor window just to catch a kiss from her. Perhaps I should say “snatch a kiss” from her reluctant lips. This duo are but two of the characters in the British TV comedy “Last Of The Summer Wine.”…

A Kalaupapa Commemoration

Thursday, July 11th, 2019

On June 26, the Kalaupapa community celebrated the Lei Hali’a Ho’olaulea, commemorating 50 years since all remaining patients were released from the settlement to live wherever they chose.

For 103 years previously, the Act to Prevent The Spread of Leprosy exiled those afflicted with Hansen’s disease to Kalaupapa. In 1969, after a cure was found and the disease was declared no longer a threat, the forced isolation was lifted. June 30th marked 50 years since the repeal. Some patients left, some remained living in Kalaupapa, and many have since passed away. Lei Hali’a, meaning a Lei of Remembrance.

“The Kalaupapa community, friends and relatives joined together in five days of events that helped deepen our understanding and appreciation for the sacrifice made by over 8,000 people, to ensure the survival of Hawaiians today,” stated the Kalaupapa National Historical Park Facebook page.…

In Memoriam

Thursday, October 25th, 2018

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

The morning meeting started right on time — Kalaupapa time that is — which usually means after the participants have done hugging, kissing, talking story and visiting the cooler for some libation. This day’s libation was cold, clear, refreshing Kalaupapa water, the best water I have tasted since my childhood days in the west of Ireland. It is almost as good as Uisce Beatha (water of life), the Irish version of Jim Beam or Jack Daniel’s — not that I am a connoisseur of either. Then the fun began. Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa president and Kalaupapa resident Boogie Kahilihiwa welcomed the gathered assembly as only Boogie can.…

And Then The Rains Came

Wednesday, September 26th, 2018

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

“When the rains came, I looked to heaven. When they washed away my dreams, I cried all night. In my heart I knew you’d be there because I felt the love and then I saw the light.”
As a lover of good vocalists who give us good music and meaningful lyrics (I do sing in the shower on occasion), I have been haunted in recent days by these lyrics, sung by singer and song writer, Beth Rowley. Beth, born in Lima Peru to missionaries, grew up in their native city of Bristol, Wales and has been giving voice to both soul and gospel music.…