The telephone was ringing at the rectory with pilgrims arranging visits. [The visits must be arranged in advance and through one of the residents. On Topside, where St. Damien’s presence is also felt, many visitors who planned to fly or walk down to Kalaupapa without prior authorization- find out that this is so.]
Francican Sisters Alicia and Barbara Jean come to daily mass and volunteer at the National Park Store and the Kalaupapa general store. They give tours at their convent near the remains of the Bishop Home for Girls. The resident priest and religious sisters are integral parts of the fabric of life in Kalaupapa.
Saints Marianne and Francis before St. Francis Church
I met a young nurse Aaron who just started at the care home, and is enthusiastic about serving there. There are staff maintaining the property and a young man who scuba dives as he researches the monk seals. Apparently, they are celibate and contemplative.
Besides wonderful time for prayer and meditation on the inspiring witness and service of Sts. Damien and Marianne and many other SS.CC. and Franciscan religious, Brother Joseph Dutton, and of the lives of thousands of patients, and good fraternal time, I heard some of the update on the status of Kalaupapa and Kalawao.
After the passing of beloved resident and patient Meli Watanuki, the National Parks Service resumed tours to the Kalaupapa and Kalawao, but were met with protests, and stopped giving tours after two tours.
Memorial to Auntie Meli at the Kalaupapa store- she is dearly missed
It was also moving to see the photos in St. Damien Hall. One can feel the pain and joy, the love nurtured by Sts. Damien and Marianne- as people lived full and meaningful lives under difficult and extraordinary circumstances. And people are still interested in visiting to walk on this holy ground, and paid respect to the residents whose stalwart hope is keenly felt.
Compilation of photographs at Damien Hall, Kalaupapa
God bless all who have walked in, sought the Lord and served in Kalaupapa/ Kalawao.
By Bill Gural, ss.cc.
Links to related news stories:
Tours were resumed by the National Park Service, but then halted by protest.
Protest Delays National Park Service’s Reopening Of Kalaupapa Tours - Honolulu Civil Beat
Legal transition of the Kalawao County: transition period has not officially begun, but planning is underway. Presence of the churches is highly valued.
Questions Surround Kalawao County Transition | The Molokai Dispatch
A memorial is being planned near St. Philomena’s to the nearly 8,000 patients buried on the peninsula (only about one thousand are marked). Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa (family of Kalaupapa patients) is a strong proponent of this memorial. They hope to have it begun while the last few patients are alive.
Governor Ige Signs Bill Appropriating $5 Million for The Kalaupapa Memorial | Historic Hawai‘i Foundation
Governor Ige Signs Bill Appropriating $5 Million for The Kalaupapa Memorial | Historic Hawai‘i Foundation
Effort to honor Kalaupapa patients with permanent memorial moves forward | Hawaii News Now
