Work of many successful

The men and women of Kalaupapa — both those living there now and those who were forced to live there — have finally received their due, but it took the work of a volunteer organization, the people on Kalaupapa themselves and Maui’s senators.

Sen. J. Kalani English was particularly cited for getting Senate Concurrent Resolution 208 passed by the 2008 Legislature.

The resolution traces the history of misery suffered by victims of Hansen’s disease and the fear of leprosy that prompted Kamehameha V’s Board of Health in 1866 to establish a segregated settlement at Kalaupapa, a largely inaccessible peninsula on Molokai’s north side. The intent was to supply housing and treatment.

Those who were transported to Kalaupapa had no choice, but, as the resolution points out, “these heroic individuals did not want anyone else to experience this disease, which was not only physically painful, but also emotionally difficult to bear.”

The resolution also says “the people of Kalaupapa have been remarkably resilient and have responded to their situations with kindness, generosity and forgiveness rather than anger, bitterness and despair.”

The resolution was the offspring of the late Paul Harada, who thought Hawaii should thank the residents of Kalaupapa for their sacrifices. After his death, his brother, Glenn, suggested Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa introduce a resolution to the Legislature. Drafts of the resolution were discussed with Kalaupapa residents, who suggested it include an apology, and it does.

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa contacted English, who enthusiastically agreed to be its sponsor. Sen. Roz Baker asked to co-sponsor it. The group had the active support of English and his staff in addressing concerns of the Department of Health and getting it approved by the attorney general and the Governor’s Policy Advisory Committee.

With the success of what English called landmark legislation, Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa can return to pursuing congressional approval for a monument to all the 8,000 individuals who made homes on Kalaupapa.