Kalaupapa resident of over 60 years taught the importance of ‘giving back’ By Valerie Monson Special to the Herald Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa, one of the youngest of the Kalaupapa community who evolved into a strong leader, delivering his powerful words to the State Legislature, the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Iolani Palace, died […]
Kalaupapa concert to be rebroadcast into the new year
The virtual concert, “The Music of Kalaupapa,” which celebrates the often-forgotten musicians of Kalaupapa, will be rebroadcast from Dec. 19 through Jan. 3 on Facebook and YouTube. The 90-minute concert, produced by Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, debuted in October to high praise and virtual applause from hundreds of viewers. “This is Ka ‘Ohana’s holiday gift […]
Kalaupapa concert a tribute to settlement’s composers
By Valerie Monson Special to the Herald Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa will present a virtual concert, “The Music of Kalaupapa,” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, on the Ohana Facebook page and YouTube. The concert features some of today’s musicians paying tribute to the often-forgotten musicians and composers of Kalaupapa by playing their songs. Throughout […]
Father Patrick Killilea, SSCC: Treasures in the hold
KAPAUPAPA DIARY: BARGE DAY It appeared on the horizon Aug. 22 at about 7:30 a.m. At 8 a.m. approximately it arrived in the inner harbor, and by 9 a.m. had settled in next to the pier at Damien’s Landing. Looking at it from my front porch brought to mind these lines from a Girl Scout […]
Father Patrick Killilea, SSCC: COVID coping in Kalaupapa
KALAUPAPA DIARY Legend says that “trees are the record keepers of the earth. They are busy gathering information and holding volumes of wisdom and knowledge. Branches layer themselves with information and their leaves capture your words and actions as you walk by them.” It is also written that “the banyan tree represents a time of […]
Father Patrick Killilea, SSCC: Under the banyan tree
KALAUPAPA DIARY It was about 10 a.m., Kalaupapa time, on June 10, as we gathered in the shade of the giant banyan tree on Staff Row. Some of us sat on metal chairs, others sprawled on the grass, while others stood on in the outer rim of the shaded area. We observed the proper social […]
Forever gracious: Remembering Kalaupapa advocate Pi‘olani Motta
Pi‘olani Motta fought hard to honor the legacy of her grandparents and other forgotten Kalaupapa souls By Valerie Monson Special to the Herald In describing Pi‘olani Motta, certain words keep coming to mind: Gracious. Elegant. Determined. Others before self. Motta died Feb. 14 at the age of 90 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor […]
Father Patrick Killilea, SSCC: Wind in the willows
KALAUPAPA DIARY Some people awake to the sound of an alarm, some to the call of one or more roosters and some have a natural awakening. It was that way for me last week during this lockdown because of the coronavirus. One morning I awoke to the memory of childhood days and “The Wind in […]
Kalaupapa diary: To bee or not to bee
By Father Patrick Killilea, SSCC Special to the Herald KALAUPAPA, Hawaii — I had just finished sharing the Gospel of the day when I felt this thing on my left hand and figured it was just a pesky fly. So I swatted it with my right hand only to feel a sharp sting and then […]
Early Kalaupapa Christmases
“Christmas is coming and a New Year approaches and I send you my best wishes.” – Father Damien writing to his family in 1885 By Anna Weaver Hawaii Catholic Herald Christmas in Hawaii in the mid- to late-1800s was a much simpler holiday than today. On Molokai’s isolated Kalaupapa peninsula, where those suffering from Hansen’s […]