Voices for Kalaupapa

Ka ‘Ohana takes a stand on the General Management Plan

Press Release

The Board of Directors of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa has prepared a preliminary Position Paper that includes recommendations for Kalaupapa National Historical Park for the General Management Plan process that’s getting underway. Park Service officials will hold public scoping meetings beginning this week.

The paper can be viewed and downloaded on the ‘Ohana website – www.kalaupapaohana.org — by clicking on “Position Paper” in the main menu.

From 1866 to 1969, Hawaii residents affected by leprosy were forced to their homes to be isolated, most often at the place known as the Kalaupapa peninsula on the north shore of Molokai. In the mid-1970s, fearing developers would force them to be relocated again, residents asked the National Park Service to preserve their lifestyle and their history. The Park Service has been at Kalaupapa since 1980. 

Ka ‘Ohana, which was established in 2003, was the idea of the late Bernard Ka‘owakaokalani Punikai‘a who was sent to Kalaupapa as a young boy in 1942 and who went on to become an international advocate. Punikai‘a saw a need to bring together the Kalaupapa residents with family members, descendents and longtime friends to make sure that the community’s voices would be heard and that the history would be accurately told.

After the scoping sessions conclude next month, the ‘Ohana position paper will be reviewed by the Board to consider any additional ideas presented before the final document is submitted to Kalaupapa National Historical Park by July 15. To submit a comment or obtain more information, email info@kalaupapaohana.org

Scoping sessions were held in Kalaupapa earlier this week. Topside meetings will be held at Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai on April 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.