E Ho`ohanohano a e Ho`omau" August 10, 2011

Members of Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa, a non-profit organization, will be making a two days visit to Hilo on August 10-11, 2011. Special programs will be held at the Hilo Palace Theater on August 10th at 1100am to 1145am during the weekly “Hawai`iana Live” program and again at 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
The evening program is free to the public and will feature music, a video documentary and a panel discussion. On August 11th, Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa will be at The Papa Mu Hawaiian Fine Art Gallery from 10am to 4pm. The purpose of their visit is to provide information and discuss concerns and challenges relating to all past and present residents of Kalaupapa, Kalawao County on Moloka`i. They will be bringing a database of names to assist families in locating residents buried at Kalaupapa and to verify names of those who have been located.
Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa was officially organized as a non-profit organization in the summer of 2003. The `Ohana was the idea of Bernanrd Ka`owakaokalani Punikai`a, who was sent to Kalaupapa as a boy in 1942 and who went on to become one of Hawai`i`s greatest leaders. Bernanrd was worried that, as the Kalaupapa community got older and their numbers got smaller, that their voices would no longer guide the future of Kalaupapa. Bernard felt the best way to perpetuate the wishes of the Kalaupapa residents was to reach out to family members, descendants and longtime friends of the community to work with the residents on important issues. Unfortunately, bernanrd died two years ago, but the organization continues to be guided by his wisdom and determination.
From 1866 to 1969 an estimated 8,000 people, 90% of which were full blooded Hawaiians and 10% other ethnicities, were forcibly sent to Kalaupapa when the Kingdom of Hawai`i with the approval of Kamehameha V passed “An Act to Prevent the Spread of Leprosy”. The challenges faced by these people are well documented and present a sad chapter of Hawaiian History. Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa has the names of 7,100 people who died on Kalaupapa. The names of those individuals who have died since 1930 are not available to anyone other than family members due to public domain restrictions. Of the 7100 people identified thus far less than 1,000 graves have markers or tombstones identifying their final resting place. With this in mind, Ka `Ohana O Kalapuapa’s primary goals are to help make the connection between family members of today with their ancestors by “Taking the families of Kalaupapa back to their homes”. Their current project is the Kalaupapa Memorial which will eventually list the names of everyone who was sent to Kalaupapa to serve as a permanent tribute to the estimated 8,000 people who died at Kalaupapa and as a place of closure, healing and pride for family members.

Point of contact is Manu Josiah, (808) 306-6008. Events are sponsored by Hilo Palace Theater, Papa Mu Art Gallery and LeiManu Designs.

Official Website: http://www.kalaupapaohana.org