Bill emphasizes dignity and liberty of Kalaupapa patients

The Maui News
Friday, April 15, 2005

By VALERIE MONSON, Staff Writer

WAILUKU – A bill that calls for the state Department of Health to promote and protect the personal liberty, autonomy and dignity of people who were sent to Kalaupapa as leprosy patients has been passed by the state Legislature and sent to Gov. Linda Lingle for her signature.

"I feel like I'm free again," said an emotional Olivia Breitha, who has been at Kalaupapa since 1937 after being diagnosed with leprosy (now called Hansen's disease) a few years earlier. "I haven't been free in 70 years. There's always somebody else telling me what to do."

Breitha said she spoke repeatedly with Sen. J. Kalani English about introducing the bill to ensure her human rights at Kalaupapa, the remote Molokai peninsula where Hawaii's leprosy patients were isolated from 1866-1969 after being torn from their families.

Everyone at Kalaupapa has been long cured of the disease, but many residents who were sent there as patients have chosen to remain because the settlement has become their home. The Health Department is required by state law to allow those who were shipped to Kalaupapa to remain there for the rest of their lives with adequate services.

More than two years ago, the State Auditor's Office issued a highly critical report, which said that while the Health Department was meeting the medical needs of the patients, it had failed to properly address nonmedical needs.

Dr. Linda Rosen, a deputy health director, said Thursday that, since the audit came out, officials have been working hard to correct the situation and have submitted quarterly reports and a yearly summary on what actions have been taken.

"We completely support the intent of this bill," said Rosen about the new legislation. "We believe we are making efforts in this area. I have a great deal of respect for Olivia. If this bill makes her feel that there will be more emphasis on the dignity of the patients, then that makes me happy, too."

Rosen didn't know "what would actually happen" if the bill becomes law.

The measure recognized the "disruptions and hardships experienced over the course of their lives by the former Hansen's disease patients residing at Kalaupapa."

Breitha, when reached at her home, said she did not push for the legislation only for herself.

"It's important not only to me, but to others, too," she said.

English announced that the measure had been approved by both bodies of the Legislature.

"The swift passage of this bill shows that Hawaii's lawmakers recognize the importance of protecting the personal liberty, autonomy and dignity of patient residents at Kalaupapa," he said.

The law could have impacts that extend beyond Hawaii.

Anwei Law, a University of Hawaii graduate who has studied the history of Kalaupapa for more than 30 years, told English that the measure was a landmark. Law now lives on the Mainland and serves as international coordinator for IDEA, an organization that has united people affected by leprosy from around the world.

"I don't think there is a law like this anywhere in the world," said Law. "From my experience, this is the first of its kind. We will circulate information around the world, and it will set a precedent. We all have inherent dignity. This is a legislative body requiring people to treat others with dignity."

English said he was grateful to the people of Kalaupapa for "embracing me as their senator and educating me about their unique needs and their quest for dignity."

Valerie Monson can be reached at vmonson@mauinews.com.

Copyright © 2005 The Maui News

Original article URL: http://www.mauinews.com/print_version.aspx?id=7927

Return to Sen. English Home Page - KalaniEnglish.com

Home Bills and Resolutions About Senator English Committees Community Profiles Newsletter Archive News Archive Capitol Web Site Media Photos

Connect with Senator English

OUR DISTRICT