ANAHOLA — Once known as the “Living Grave,” a remote peninsula on the island of Moloka’i called “Kalaupapa” housed the largest settlement for leprosy patients in the Nation of Hawaii and the United States. It was a forbidding place of
ANAHOLA — Once known as the “Living Grave,” a remote peninsula on the island of Moloka’i called “Kalaupapa” housed the largest settlement for leprosy patients in the Nation of Hawaii and the United States.
It was a forbidding place of exile, where between 1866 and 1969 some 8,000 victims who were believed to have leprosy. Ninety percent were Native Hawaiians who were forcibly removed from their families and confined against their will. Society feared and misunderstood their condition.
On Wednesday, a prayer gathering was held across the islands of Hawaii. On Kauai, people gathered at the Ko’olau Hui’ia Protestant Church in Anahola for a time of prayer. The gatherings were coordinated by Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa.
Maile Baird, church deacon and island coordinator for Kalaupapa Ohana, is a member of Koolau Hui’ia Church.
“The history of Kalaupapa is not only sad, but ultimately triumphant because the people of Kalaupapa had great strength and spirit. They refused to allow a disease and such drastic separation define their lives,” Baird said. “Their history is incredible and we wish to lift up their lives and stories. Their accomplishments can become role models for us all.”
Past history and knowledge is important, said Baird.
“Too long it was assumed that those sent to Kalaupapa were unconcerned with the world they were forced to leave behind,” Baird said.
But recent studies shows that residents remained actively interested and involved in life beyond Kalaupapa. They petitioned the Hawaii Legislative Assembly in 1874, seeking justice. They fervently supported Queen Liliuokalani and the Hawaiian Kingdom prior to annexation and contributed to the relief effort in Europe following World War I.
In 1997, Kalaupapa residents advocated at the United Nations with people affected by leprosy from around the world.
“It’s amazing how the people confined in Kalaupapa were able to do many things to help themselves, alert the outside world to the hardships and injustices they were facing and stay in touch with their families,” said Kahu Rennie Mau, pastor of Koolau Hui’ia Church.
