Last updated: May 6, 2024
Article
“Working in Our People’s Footsteps”: NPS Employee Trains Future Generation of Stewards at Kalaupapa National Historical Park
NPS Photo/Rob Ratkowski
NPS Photo
Molokai Light served as a gray area, a place where exiled Hansen’s disease patients could steal away for a chance of seeing the outside world. Now, thanks to Kaiama’s leadership and the hard work of his crew, the restored buildings can proudly serve the needs of Kalaupapa’s remaining residents. We sat down with Kaiama to learn about the project and its significance.
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Kaiama on preserving the legacy of Kalaupapa
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Kaiama shares why working at Kalaupapa NHP and preserving its historic buildings is important to him.
Kalaupapa National Historical Park preserves the Hansen’s disease settlement on Molokai, a windswept Hawaiian island in the Pacific Ocean. Historically known as leprosy, Hansen’s disease is a contagious condition that affects the skin and nervous system. The disease was brought to the Hawaiian island by colonizers, along with other diseases the indigenous people had limited resistance to. Until the 1940s, there was no cure.
Hawaiians referred to the disease as ma‘i ho‘oka‘awale, “the separating sickness.” People thought to be infected were banished to live in isolation on the island. From 1866-1969, the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, and later the territory and state of Hawai‘i, exiled approximately 8,000 people here. These individuals were separated from their families and children under the rationale that this would halt the spread of the disease. Patients were stigmatized by the outside world. Ideas about leprosy became intertwined with notions of racial difference that characterized Hawaiians as dirty, backwards and uncivilized, justifying the United State’s efforts to exert political and economic control over the islands.1 In spite of all this, the resident of Kalaupapa transformed their place of exile into a home and community. Residents fought for dignified treatment of people affected by Hansen’s Disease and asserted their right to maintain control over their own lives.
Hawaiians referred to the disease as ma‘i ho‘oka‘awale, “the separating sickness.” People thought to be infected were banished to live in isolation on the island. From 1866-1969, the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, and later the territory and state of Hawai‘i, exiled approximately 8,000 people here. These individuals were separated from their families and children under the rationale that this would halt the spread of the disease. Patients were stigmatized by the outside world. Ideas about leprosy became intertwined with notions of racial difference that characterized Hawaiians as dirty, backwards and uncivilized, justifying the United State’s efforts to exert political and economic control over the islands.1 In spite of all this, the resident of Kalaupapa transformed their place of exile into a home and community. Residents fought for dignified treatment of people affected by Hansen’s Disease and asserted their right to maintain control over their own lives.
NPS Photo/National Historic Landmarks Program
Molokai Light was a place that existed “outside” the settlement, and thus outside its restricting rules. No one under the age of sixteen was allowed in the settlement. Family members have shared stories with the park about patients driving out to the lighthouse to see children playing, often passing candy through the fence to them.2 This brief contact filled a void created by quarantine policies, which mandated that any children born to patients be taken away at birth. In more ways than one, Molokai Light was a beacon of hope for many patients.
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Kaiama on historic preservation
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Kaiama shares the craft involved in historic preservation.
Left image
Windowsill in need of repair
Credit: NPS photo
Right image
Final restored windowsill
Credit: NPS photo
The lightkeeper’s houses were in disrepair from being vacant for so many years. They were full of rats and termites and damaged from the intense winds and rains that batter the island. Kaiama and his crew face a unique set of challenges when planning for a historic restoration project like this. Large building materials don’t fit on single-engine planes and instead are brought to the island once a year on a barge. Kaiama and the park had one shot to get the building supplies they needed for this project. Additionally, to restore historic buildings to their original look and feel, the crew often needs to make the materials themselves in the park workshop. For example, to get the proper historic trim for a window, they order rough lumber of various sizes then Kaiama and the crew mill down the wood to the appropriate size and shape to fit the building. Despite these challenges, they were able to restore two of the lighthouse keeper’s buildings from the foundations to the roofs in three months.
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Kaiama on training his crew
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Kaiama shares why he takes the time to pass on his craftsmanship to his younger crew members.
NPS Photo
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Kaiama on inspiring the next generation of stewards
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Kaiama talks about the importance of carrying on the legacy of Kalaupapa into the future.
The people of Kalaupapa created a strong community that was able to overcome trauma, stigma, and racism. The National Historical Park was established in 1980, jointly managed by the NPS and the Hawai’i State Department of Health. The bill establishing the park guaranteed patients the right to live at Kalaupapa as long as they wished. The mission of the park honors their resilience. Kaiama and his crew continue that tradition daily.
NPS Photo
- David Shepherd
- Eddie English
- Edison Makekau
- Joseph Kaheʻe V
- Joseph Mollena
- Lansen Kaupu
- LeAnna Lang
- Makana Kaholoa’a
- Matt Padgett
- Paʻone Lee-Namakaeha
- Pu'uhonua Pescaia
- Rob Pascua-Pelekai
- Cheyne Naeole
- Ka’ohulani
The Regional Awards for Cultural Resources have been announced each spring for 50 years. More information about this and past years’ winners can be found on the National Park Service Website.
Citations
1 National Historic Landmark Nomination, updated documentation, January 12, 2021.2 Personal communication between Kalaupapa NHP Cultural Resource Program Manager and Ka'ohulani McGuire, family member of Kalaupapa resident. Shared with author via email April 2023.