Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 6, 1 May 2008 — Kalaupapa [ARTICLE]

Kalaupapa

Mahalo for the beautiful, inspiring cover story "Huna o Kalaupapa" in the March issue of KWO. It was my privilege to serve these patients as a hospital nurse hired by the state of Hawai'i Department of Health, 1980-'90. It was also when the team eame from KWED-TV (of San Francisco) to make the first and finest video, called "Kalaupapa the Refuge." The spontaneous eloquence of the many patients interviewed simply amazed me; and I felt the honor of being at such a wonderful job. In those days, there were 120 patients and a hospital team of 12 (one leprologist, eight nurses - four of them the Sisters of St. Francis - two patient-nurses' aides, and one secretary). A DOH lab worker and dietitian visited routinely, from Honolulu. Two Sisters manned our dialysis room. And referrals for advanced care, X-ray, surgery, etc., were sent to Hale Mōhalu in O'ahu, and to Carville, Fouisiana. Although retired from there, I will always have a plaee in Kalaupapa; and they with me. There are many ways to still serve them. 'Ohana is forkeeps. Ruth Freedman The Kalaupapa Connection 1503 Punahou St., 3( HonoluluHI 96822

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