Annual Barge Reaches Kalaupapa

Sunday, July 13th, 2008

By Jennifer Smith

Kalaupapa’s July monthly meeting provided updates about upcoming developments on the peninsula including the recent barge arrival, next month’s visit from U.C. Berkeley archaeologists, and the upcoming landfill closure and increased recycling efforts.

Kalaupapa is currently in a transition to shut down its landfill by the end of December, and will begin a recycling program in November. Residents can begin recycling efforts on a small scale now, but it is not required. The National Park Service (NPS) recently received necessary materials to complete construction of the composting and recycling facilities on this week’s barge.

Barge & Airport
Three barges made their annual visit to Kalaupapa this week carrying resident requested items such as cars and appliances. Construction material including rock and trucks were also delivered to aid in airport improvements which include runway upgrades and fence maintenance, but not a firehouse, according to Michael McCarten, administrator for the Department of Health.

Several of the residents expressed their disappointment with the June 30 removal of firefighters from the airport. The airport received a waiver to remove the position after the Federal Aviation Administration ruled that airports servicing planes carrying less than 10 passengers are no longer required to have fire personnel present.

"We all agree we need the firefighter position here," McCarten said. National Parks Superintendent Steve Prokop said he filed a major complaint with the airport division concerning the need for the position at Kalaupapa's remote airport.

Residents also reiterated their frustrations with the peninsula's only air carrier, Pacific Wings. Customers have found unreasonable rate increases, and a general lack of schedule accommodations to be an ongoing problem with the airline. However, as long as the airline continues to provide services without a government subsidy, there is little legal action that can be taken.

Damien
An exciting announcement came from the Vatican just days before the July 8 monthly meeting: Pope Benedict XVI’s confirmation of Father Damien's second miracle will allow him to proceed to canonization.

If all goes well, the pope is expected to announce an official date to declare Father Damien a saint during an annual gathering in February 2009 in Rome. 

"The real scoop is that it has happened," said Father Felix, Vandebroek. He said while the process began several decades ago, followers of the process need to remain patient a little while longer until Father Damien's sainthood can be confirmed.

"(It is) not only an honor for the Roman Catholic Church, but it is an honor for the whole community of Kalaupapa," Father Felix said. "We are thankful and we are grateful that we can live where he lived."

While waiting for Father Damien's sainthood to be confirmed, the church and the NPS are hoping to work together to restore Father Damien's physical legacy, St. Philomena church in Kalawao. Father Felix said they are expecting many visitors and pilgrims to the site, and hope to have it restored in time for celebrations to take place.

Archeology
A U.C. Berkeley team of archeologists will return to Molokai in August. The group headed by James Flexner will focus on Kalawao sites. Excavation work is intended to look at aspects of everyday life in the early days of the settlement.

All work will take place in areas believed to be home sites, and will not involve the study or disturbance of human remains. The team has a tentative date of August 26 set to have a meeting with residents, prior to beginning work.
The next monthly meeting will be on August 12 at 11:30 a.m., and will feature a visit from Senator J. Kalani English. He will visit the peninsula to read a resolution that offers an apology to the people who were forcibly quarantined in Kalaupapa between 1866 and 1969, after being diagnosed with Hansen’s disease.

Firefighters Leave Kalaupapa

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

State removes airport’s only first responders.

For the past year residents of Kalaupapa have rested a little easier knowing that first responders were manning their secluded airport. However, a recent change in federal regulations will leave the peninsula without firefighters.

“We are very, very disappointed that the airports division has eliminated firefighter services at the airport in Kalaupapa,” said Steven Prokop, National Parks Service (NPS) superintendent.

As of July 1 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) no longer requires the presence of fire personnel at Class III airports, serving planes carrying less than 10 people.

Residents Respond
“I think it is important (to have firefighters) because right now we only have 26 patients left,” said Gloria Marks, Kalaupapa resident. She was off-island when she heard of the removal of the firefighters, and said she feels the services are needed.

“A lot of accidents happen at the airport,” Marks said. “By the time (NPS) reach down there, it is too late.”

Marks runs Damien Tours, the only tour provider in Kalaupapa. She said with the recent canonization of Father Damien the company is expecting an increase in visitors to the peninsula. “We are going to have a lot of people coming in, and we are going to need a lot of security, a lot of help.”

“If the fire station is there at the airport they can solve a lot of problems,” Marks said. “It is good for the people; they know they are on the safe side.”

Senator J. Kalani English commented that residents of Kalaupapa should not be alarmed, because the peninsula did not have firefighters previous to 2007 and he could not recall any airport incidences that required the assistance of emergency personnel. 

Firefighters at Work
Firefighters arrived in Kalaupapa in June 2007 as part of an FAA certificate requirement of Part 139. Crews from Molokai, Maui, and Lanai started from scratch, helping to maintain the area and provide services when needed.

“Working in Kalaupapa was probably the most satisfying job I’ve ever done,” said Emerson Makekau, Ho`olehua Airport Fire Captain. He worked in Kalaupapa throughout the past year, and said the firefighters were needed and appreciated.

The services were primarily limited to daytime operations on the airfield, with one firefighter coming in every three days. However, it was not unheard of for the fire personnel to volunteer after hours, according to Emerson.

Agency Response
“I like the fact that we have been able to support the airport operations and community down there,” said Marvin Moniz, Maui District Airport manager. He said while there have been staffing and costs issues, “overall I think community has been happy to have medical responders.”

Moniz said he has received calls from concerned residents wanting personnel down there to provide extra assistance in times of need. He said something may change at the executive level, but as of July 1 no firefighters are manning the Kalaupapa airport.

According to Moniz, Airport Operation and Maintenance employee Bob Florek will take over airport operations that may have previously been handled by the firefighters. He will have access to equipment, and receive certification in CPR.

NPS Not the Answer
“We are very concerned that the airport no longer has an onsite emergency response capability,” Prokop said. “Our main concern is for the traveling public.”

While NPS is currently working on hiring additional first aid and emergency medical and fire responders, the agency “does not have the expertise or staff to adequately respond to an incident at the airport,” Prokop said.

The peninsula is “fully staffed and serviced with a hospital with top medical care,” Sen. English said, adding that should there be a need, “Kalaupapa is small enough that the medical care can get there in time.”

However, according to Prokop, it would take at least an hour for a major medical emergency or fire to receive outside aid. The surrender of the certificate under Part 139 will also affect airports in Waimea on the Big Island and Hana on Maui, but the two locations both have emergency responders in close proximity to the airports.

Prokop said there have been several instances where firefighter services have been required at the Kalaupapa airport. Most recently, on May 14 an airplane with a flat tire made a hard landing. He said the firefighter assessed the situation, evaluated the passengers, and coordinated the removal of the passengers.

Fortunately no one was injured, but Prokop said it is this sort of situation where trained personnel are required. “It’s been an extremely positive experience at the airport (having firefighters),” he said. “The primary benefit is the health and safety of the traveling public.”

While he feels it is the responsibility of the state, Prokop said, “the NPS looks forward to working with the state airport division in finding a way to reinstate the firefighter position in Kalaupapa.”