FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senator J. Kalani English
Chair, Energy and Environment Committee
State Capitol, Room 205
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 587-7225

Contact: Chris Martelles (808) 587-7225

PRESS RELEASE
January 26, 2004

KALAUPAPA: A LONG TRAIL WITH A HOPEFUL FUTURE

SENATOR ENGLISH TREKS TO MEET WITH KALAUPAPA RESIDENTS

KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT, MOLOKA'I Ñ Kalaupapa residents gathered Saturday morning, January 17, 2004, to prepare for another meeting of the newly formed Ka 'Ohana O Kalaupapa, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of this historically important community on the remote northern shore of Moloka'i.

As the number of permanent patient residents declines in the infamous settlement founded for victims of Hansen's disease, many Kalaupapa community leaders are concerned what the future will hold for their home. To prepare for the eventual changes that will occur once the National Park Service assumes authority over Kalaupapa, Ka 'Ohana O Kalaupapa has begun the process of creating guidelines for preservation of their legacy.

Once known and feared as a prison with no escape for the victims of Hansen's Disease, Kalaupapa took on a different image after the reversal of the State's involuntary isolation policies in 1969. Now a quaint and less isolated community, visitors are allowed by invitation from community residents, and a variety of State and National Park Service workers have taken up residence to provide various support services on the peninsula. Regularly scheduled tours provide visitors the opportunity to explore historic sites from the time of Father Damien and the first of the patients with Hansen's disease.

Helping the residents of Kalaupapa design their future goals was board member and State Senator, J. Kalani English, 6th District (Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i & Kaho'olawe). "I am honored that I can help our cherished residents at Kalaupapa organize and prepare for the future of their choosing. It is important that the legacy of Kalaupapa reflect the true values, aspirations and sacrifices of all the Kaulapapa patient residents," he remarked.

Senator English arrived at the meeting after walking the muddy and perilous three-mile trail down to the settlement. Remarking that all flights to Kalaupapa, and even all mules, were sold out for the day of the meeting he added, "It was very important for me to attend this meeting today, even if it meant walking down the cliffs and back again. The people and place of Kalaupapa remind me of everything that is best about these islands I call home, and I am pleased that I can be of service."

Ka 'Ohana O Kalaupapa works to assure that all Hansen's Disease patients who lived and died on Kalaupapa, whether in the times of isolation or freedom, are remembered and honored in the proper way. Expecting no reward but the correct preservation of their legacy, Ka 'Ohana O Kalaupapa forges forward with their future.

END

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