By Valerie Monson Special to the Herald “Despite the separation from family, it was a fabulous life and it was a fabulous world.” So pronounced Makia Malo as he greeted everyone at a meeting of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa in 2015. Those were unlikely words from someone diagnosed with leprosy who was taken from his […]
Kalaupapa’s Barbara ‘Bobbie’ Marks: ‘I wanted to learn’
By Valerie Monson Special to the Herald Barbara “Bobbie” Marks did not allow her love for learning to be shelved when she suddenly had to leave her cherished Sacred Hearts Academy in Kaimuki in 1946 because she was diagnosed with leprosy. Throughout her many years at Kalaupapa and Hale Mohalu in Pearl City, Barbara was […]
Governor signs bill designating January as Kalaupapa Month
By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Imagine if, for the health of the community during an epidemic, you were asked to quarantine, not for 10 days, not for 14 days, not for one year, but for the rest of your life. That is what 8,000 Hawaii citizens were forced to do between 1866 to 1969, […]
Bishop to celebrate memorial Mass for ‘Boogie’ Kahilihiwa
Bishop Larry Silva will celebrate a memorial Mass for the late Kalaupapa patient Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa at 10 a.m. April 20 in the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. Kahilihiwa was a resident for more than 60 years in Kalaupapa where he had emerged as a leader and advocate for those quarantined there for […]
CLARENCE ‘BOOGIE’ KAHILIHIWA | 1941-2021
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 […]