Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 3, 1 March 2016 — Remembering the first 12 sent to Kolaupapa [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Remembering the first 12 sent to Kolaupapa

This month 's eohmm is written by Vaīerie Monson, staunch advocate and Board Member ofKa 'Ohana O Kaīaupapa.

This year marks a somber event in Hawaiian history: the 150th anniversary of when the first people were taken from their families and sent to Kalaupapa because of government policies regarding those affected by leprosy (now also called Hansen's disease). These isolation laws would not be abolished until 1969. The first 12 people landed at

Kalaupapa on January 6, 1866: nine men and three women. A young child was with them as were some family members to provide assistance. They were the first of nearly 8,000 men, women and children - 90 percent of them Kanaka Maoli - whose lives would be torn apart over the next century. They would leave behind thousands of grieving family members. How do you observe such a painful oeeasion, but maintain hope and dignity? Ka 'Ohana O Kalaupapa decided the best way to acknowledge this day was to remember the names of those first 12 forced to forever leave their homes: Kahauliko, Loe, Liilii, Puha, Kini, Lono, Waipo, Kaaumoana, Kainaina, Nahuina, Lakapu and Kepihe. Their names - long forgotten - would resonate throughout the day. Commemorations were planned not only at Kalaupapa, but across the islands where descendants could partake in events held in communities large and small. At 9 a.m., 35 Kalaupapa residents, workers and some fortunate visitors eame together in a bracing rain near the wharf that was being pounded by rolling surf. Thoughts immediately drifted back to 1866, wondering if the first 12 were rowed ashore in similar weather - or even worse conditions. Suddenly, a rainbow appeared, almost symbolizing how so many of the people sent to Kalaupapa overcame the sorrow of the separation and injustices to live remarkable lives.

Pauline Chow, Vice President of the 'Ohana, read aloud the first 12 names. Holding hands and filled with

emotion, everybody spoke aloud the name of someone who had died at Kalaupapa who continues to inspire them. A procession continued to the original settlement at Kalawao where the bell of Siloama Church chimed 12 times and Miki'ala Pescaia of Kalaupapa National Historical Park offered a blessing. At the same time at Kewalo Basin on O'ahu, descendants looked across the sea to Kalaupapa, reminiscent of the thousands

of families who said mournful farewells at the harbor. A dozen red roses - eaeh carrying the name of one of the first 12 people - were placed in a vase along with a white rose to represent all of the others who were sent away. At the Kalaupapa Overlook on upper Moloka'i, descendant Timmy Leong stood alone where he saw the rainbow that Kalaupapa residents were watching from the cliffs below. The commemorations began shortly after dawn at Lahaina Harbor where Kalapana Kollars, whose ancestors died at Kaluapapa, conducted an 'awa ceremony for the first 12 people. Later, Kahu Rennie Mau led a remembrance service at Ko'olauhui'ia Protestant Church in Anahola; Kumu Hula Paul Kevin Keali'ikea o Mano Neves held a 12-minute ceremony at Pu'uhuluhulu on Hawai'i Island and, further north, Kalaupapa descendants living in Kohala gathered near the King Kamehameha Statue. Prayers were offered at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Moloka'i residents marked the oeeasion at the Moloka'i Museum & Cultural Center where a photo exhibit about Kalaupapa is on display. The final event was held just before sunset at Kahului Harbor with everyone forming a circle of prayer around 12 candles. The day of reflection was complete with the 12 names - and the names of so many others sent to Kalaupapa — living again. ■

Cūlette Y. Machadū Trustee Muluka'i and Lāna'i