Kalaupapa National Historical Park

January is Kalaupapa Month and we continue to encourage everyone to explore the first hand accounts of Kalaupapa residents. In the 1800s and early 1900s, patients would often participate in civil engagement and advocacy by writing letters to the Hawaiian language newspapers. Later, patients sought to publish their memoirs and stories in hopes of helping to bridge communities and inspire compassion, understanding and acceptance. Celebrate Kalaupapa month by reading a non-ficti...on book about Kalaupapas history. We will be sharing a few suggestions in the coming weeks. Lets begin! Today we highlight "My Name is Makia, A Memoir of Kalaupapa" by Makia Malo with Pamela Young. From the back cover: "Diagnosed with Hansens disease at the age of twelve and exiled to the remote settlement of Kalaupapa, Makia Malo lost his hands, his feet and his eyesight over the years - but never the vision or spirit that have made him a celebrated storyteller and poet. In My Name is Makia, this inspirational Hawaiian now tells his own story - of a child of Kalaupapa who grew up to carry his message of hope and love throughout the Islands and around the world." #makiamalo #kalaupapamonth #kalaupapanhp #readabook

Please join us on Saturday, January 22, 10-11:30 a.m. for the free webinar, The Restoration of Family Ties, presented by Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa and hosted by ...the Damien-Marianne Catholic Conference. There is no charge. Pre-register at: www.dmcchawaii.org This presentation is a narrated slide show of historical and modern-day photographs that show how Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa has helped hundreds of descendants reconnect to their Kalaupapa ancestors. It’s a fascinating look at how the history of Kalaupapa is a living history with the legacies of Kalaupapa ancestors being carried into the future by their descendants. We will also be sharing information about The Kalaupapa Memorial. Mahalo to the Damien-Marianne Catholic Conference! Hope to see you at the webinar!

January is Kalaupapa Month! As we continue to explore the rich history of Kalaupapa and the residents, nothing is more powerful than hearing the firsthand accounts. This video, Soul of Kalaupapa directed by Ethan Vincent, captures the patients sharing of their many struggles, blessings and accomplishments told in their own voices. We invite you to watch it with friends, family or even students in your classroom. Here are some suggested questions to spark dialogue: ... 1. If you were in this situation, what liberty would be the hardest to lose? 2. If you were sent to a new community, what skill or interest would you be most willing to share with others? 3. What brings you peace in times of hardship, struggle or uncertainty? 4. Whose story touched you the most? 5. What can we do to remember patients in their hometowns and communities and reconnect them to the places and people they were separated from? #Kalaupapamonth #soulofkalaupapa #kalaupapanhp #ethanvincent

Yesterday a small ceremony of rememberance was held for the remaining patient residents of Kalaupapa to honor the 8,000 Hansen’s Disease patients sent during the 103 years of exile under the Law of Separation. January 6 marks the anniversary of the arrival of the very first 12 patients to Kalawao in 1866. Their names were recited, prayers and blessings offered and flowers scattered in the water at Kalaupapa pier, while lei were placed in Kalawao in their honor. VC: Miki’ala Pescaia #Kalaupapamonth #KalaupapaNHP #kanaanahou #Sistersofsaintfrancis #Saintfrancis

Our Kalaupapa NHP ranger Miki'ala Pescaia will join a panel of NPS staff for a lightning-round presentation of Indigenous histories in the era of the United States Revolutionary War. The presentations will focus on several regions around what would become the United States. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations. You may also submit questions in advance. Click the link below for more information. This event is hosted by CIRCLE and the Park History Program of the NPS. Wednesday November 18, 2020 9-11am HST

January 5, 1879 Ambrose Hutchison arrives in Kalaupapa. He is the first superintendent of Hawaiian ancestry for the settlement and would go on to live the longest in Kalaupapa, leaving behind a rich legacy. He was known for keeping very good records and journals. Here he shares his experience of arriving in Kalaupapa. On the night of the 4th day of January 1879 about seven p.m. I with 11 other fellow sufferers were lined up in two by two file by our jailer (each of us carry...ing our own baggage) guarded on each side by a squad of policemen were taken from the leper detention station...and put aboard the SS Mokolii lying along side the pier at the foot of Fort Street. After a half-hour wait for two Government Officials, Sam G. Wilder President of the Board of Health and Dr. N.B. Emerson newly appointed first resident physician of the Leper Settlement of Kalawao. When they arrived and came aboard the steamer the line was cast off, the steamer moved out into the harbor and steamed out to sea bound for Molokai and arrived off Kalaupapa the next morning 7 a.m. when the steamer anchored we entered a row boat with the two officials and rowed to the Kalaupapa landing and put ashore and [were] received by the local officials of the Leper Settlement. After our names, ages and places we hailed from were taken down, left on the rocky shore without food and shelter. No houses provided by the then Government for the like of us outcasts. - Ambrose T. Hutchison, resident in the settlement from 1879-1932 Row boat carrying new patients and cargo from steamer, "Likelike," to Kalawao shore, ca 1902. PC: Hawaii State Archives

A beautiful moonset this morning beyond Paschoal Hall in Kalaupapa settlement. We are getting ready to welcome the new year! PC: Pa’oneakai Lee-Namaka’eha/NPS #Kalaupapanhp

Kalaupapa residents sighted whales off the coast today and sent out their aloha! They are like relatives returning home for the holidays, says one resident who looks forward to their arrival every year. Humpback whales arrive for the winter in Hawai’i from the Pacific North and Northwest. Have you spotted any migratory whales this season? Photo Credit: Mei-Lee Kahe'e #KalaupapaNHP #kohola

The Kalaupapa Stamp Club was formed on July 26, 1950 by the patient/residents of the community. This enabled many community residents to receive written correspondence and collect stamps from school children in Hawaii and people all over the world. Imagine longing to see the world, to travel and wonder what life was like beyond the horizon, in a time without internet! Writing letters helped to connect patients with the world, a means to overcome separation. Though the Kalaupa...pa Stamp Club is retired, the collection of thousands of stamps are in the Kalaupapa National Historical Park’s museum collection. To celebrate Kalaupapa month, we invite everyone from around the world to send a postcard to our current patients, who are tracking the cards on a world map. Please feel free to share with them something interesting about where you are, they would enjoy that. Thank you for keeping the tradition alive! Kalaupapa Care Home PO Box 3333 Kalaupapa, HI 96742 Also, if you are interested in more information about the Kalaupapa Stamp Club collection, read this article by Lee Cataluna about the help we are receiving from the Hawaiian Philatelic Society in caring for this unique collection. https://www.civilbeat.org//lee-cataluna-kalaupapas-surpri/ #KalaupapaNHP #Kalaupapamonth #KalaupapaStampClub #Hawaiianphilatelicsociety

Aloha! We are looking for a law enforcement officer to join our team at Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Please see the link below for details. Open to the first 1000 applicants or closes 04/09/2021, whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. Mahalo! https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/596265100#

Kalaupapa National Historical Park is also looking for a temporary part time GS-9 planner. Appointee may be based anywhere in Hawaii, with the ability to report to Kalaupapa as needed. If interested, please email [email protected] with questions or to submit resume by April 7th. Mahalo!

Position Posted for Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

Aloha Mahina ‘lelo Hawai’i! Happy Hawaiian Language Month! Hawaiian is an official language of the state of Hawai’i, and many events are taking place to celebrate. We would like to share a few words today related to wai, water. wailele - waterfall ua - rain noe or khau - mist ua loku - heavy downpour or flashflood ... kahe - flow Noho ke khau ma ka pali. The mist sits upon the cliff. Kahe nui ka wailele i ka ua loku. The waterfall flows strong because of the flash flood. Ola mau ka ‘lelo Hawai’i! The Hawaiian language thrives on! PC: Miki’ala Pescaia/NPS #kalaupapanhp #mahinaolelohawaii

Today is the annual Kalaupapa Christmas event. It is a wonderful tradition for residents, including our staff, to attend the festivities in the historic McVeigh Hall--with a feast, decorations, lucky number prizes, gift exchanges, friends, and the much anticipated live music. This year the Lions are hosting a drive-thru candy cane lane and providing care packages for members of the community. We at Kalaupapa National Historical Park thank the Lions for all their hard work th...is year and for their many years of partnership. The Lions Club International has been a part of Kalaupapa since the 1940s--providing a place for patients and kokua to work together in maintaining Ocean View Pavilion, hosting events, and helping to care for Kalaupapa. We are so grateful that this beautiful tradition of service to the community continues. Merry (Kalaupapa Lions) Christmas to all and to all a good night! #Kalaupapanhp #kalawaocounty #kalaupapalionsclub

From all of us here at Interior, we're wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Park Announces Public Scoping Period The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public feedback on a proposed rehabilitation and upgrade to the existing electrical system at Kalaupapa National Historical Park (the park) on the island of Molokai in Hawai’i. At this time, the park is initiating a 45-day public scoping period in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). As part of the comment period, NPS would lik...e to solicit input on two proposed alternatives. The NPS will also host one virtual public scoping meeting using Zoom on December 17, 2020, at 10:00 AM HST. You are invited to attend this meeting to learn more, discuss your thoughts, and ask NPS representatives any questions you may have. Please use the following hyperlink to join by PC, Mac, tablet, or smartphone: https://zoom.us/j/92529223600 Or join by phone by dialing one of the numbers below and entering the Webinar ID: +1-669-900-6833 +1-833-548-0276 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 925 2922 3600 # For additional information on the project background, proposed alternatives, and how to attend the virtual meeting, please visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/KALA. Until January 29, 2021, there are a variety of ways you can provide feedback during the public scoping process. On the web (preferred method) at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/KALA By email at: [email protected] By mail: Rehabilitate and Upgrade the Existing Electrical System EA Superintendent Erika Stein Espaniola P.O. Box 2222 Kalaupapa, HI 96742

Mahina ‘lelo Hawai’i - Hawaiian Language Month continues! Kalaupapa peninsula is a perfect habitat for many special l’au and holoholona. One exciting malihini has been visiting for ‘eh kau ho’oilo, and we hope will noho a kupa with it’s ipo soon! This is a ml or Laysan Albatross, and efforts to establish a colony on Molokai are underway with several partner organizations along the northern coastline of Molokai. l’au - plants holoholona - animals malihini- visitor, ...outsider, stranger ‘eh - four kau ho’oilo - winter season noho a kupa - reside permanently, inhabit, make this place home ipo - mate Image credit: Kelly Moore/NPS #kalaupapanhp #mahinaolelohawaii

On December 25, 1900 Frank Champman published a humble tally of bird counts taken by 27 people in 25 locations across North America, starting what is now a world-wide count known as the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. This census has been carried out year after year for 120 seasons! Novice birders, avid birders, and government agencies alike come together to compile this crucial data on bird populations worldwide. Kalaupapa National Historical Park's team has joined in the tall...ying of birds on the peninsula and Molokai each December and 2020 was no different. This data adds crucial information about migration of birds, water and food supply, animal populations, and other environmental and weather patterns to our knowledge of the land we care for. This year our small and socially-distanced team reports 498 sightings in 2.5 hours time along a 15 mile corridor: Most common sighting - Zebra Doves. Common Sightings: Spotted Doves, Common Mynah, Nutmeg Mannikin. Migratory Kolea who winter in Hawaii had a strong showing. Seabirds spotted include 'A and Koa'e, they nest outside of Kalaupapa but frequent the shores. Though there are a number of birds who reside in Kalaupapa that were not observed on the day of the count, we still capture an important snapshot that contributes to a larger picture worldwide. Thanks to our KNHP staff who continue to make observations of our various bird populations year round. Here are some birds who live here but weren't spotted on CBC day, the grey heron that hunts at Papaloa, and the noio who nest in the caves near Kaupikiawa. PC: M. Pescaia/NPS #KalaupapaNHP #audubonCBC #Hawaiibirds

Hau’oli 40th L Hnau to Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Here’s to 40 more years!

Greetings to 2022! January has been designated as Kalaupapa Month, a time to reflect on, celebrate and honor the sacrifices and contributions of the many residents of Kalaupapa across the years. We will be sharing opportunities to learn and engage in the many mo’olelo about Kalaupapa that are being provided by different organizations throughout the month, and invite you to participate, engage and find ways to connect to Kalaupapa. Hanohano Kalaupapa, ola ka lhui e! #KalaupapaNHP #Kalaupapamonth #kalawao

INTERN! How would you like to do a weather report from a rinky-dink island in the middle of the ocean as a favor to my cousin?" - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2010). All kidding aside, understanding weather and climate is critical to help inform both short and long-term Park management. Kalaupapa National Historical Park maintains three weather stations, which despite being in close geographic proximity to one another, are located in vastly different environments from ...hot and windy to cool and wet, and from sea level to 4,000 foot elevation. So different in fact, that their access requires different modes of transportation. The first station is located a few steps from the Natural Resource Office in historic Bay View, and is literally a step out the door. The second is located at Makapulapai near the Kalaupapa Lighthouse and can be reached by a short car ride. The third station occupies perhaps the most dramatic setting at Pu’u Ali’i on top of the Earth's tallest sea cliffs and reached via helicopter. All three give Park Managers a big picture of what is going on with both the day-to-day weather, and longer-term climatic patterns on the peninsula and the surrounding areas. The stations record data such as relative humidity, rainfall, solar radiation, and temperature, among others. These data provide important information to answer questions ranging from how the weather looks for field work, visitor tours, and flights on any given day, to hypothesizing whether certain species be able to survive in the same area 100 years from now, to assessing the risk of increased shoreline erosion degrading historic features such as a cemetery in close proximity to the coastline. The stations transmit basic data via satellite each hour, and store more detailed data on a ‘logger’ within the station. Our NPS team conducts annual maintenance for each station which includes downloading fine-scale data, replacing sensors, batteries, and other important station components as they age, taking photos, cleaning solar panels, and generally keeping sensitive electronics located in harsh environments in working order! All to better help in our understanding of this amazing place we live and work. Pretty cool assignment, huh?! PC: Glauco Piug-Santana/NPS #kalaupapanhp #weatherstations #puualii

Happy Holidays from the many hard working people who care for our special places alongside the staff of Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Aloha!

Below is an update to the Kalaupapa National Historical Park's project to update the unsafe and failing electrical distribution system. It includes a brief project overview, status of the project and next steps. If you have questions about the project, please contact the park utilizing this email address: [email protected], phone: 808-567-6802, ext. 1100 or via post letter to: Kalaupapa National Historical Park, P.O. Box 2222, Kalaupapa, HI 96742. Opportunity to comment on the project design will occur in summer of 2022. https://www.nps.gov//rehabilitate-failing-electrical-syste

Freedom. Liberty. Honor. All who have lived in Kalaupapa know how much these things are worth fighting for. Today we take an extra moment to recognize and express our gratitude to our former Hansen’s Disease patients who served in the armed forces to protect the people and places they loved. We also recognize all of the veterans on staff here at Kalaupapa National Historical Park, mahalo for your service! Papaloa and ’liopi’i Cemeteries... PC: Miki’ala Pescaia/NPS #kalaupapanhp #hawaiiveterans #papaloacemetery

November is Native American Heritage Month! Last week Park Ranger Mikiala Pescaia spoke on a panel addressing Native Hawaiian access to parks and public lands in relation to public health. (see our last post for a link). This week we highlight another staff person perpetuating Hawaiian culture and legacy in Kalaupapa. "Aloha, my name is Leimomi Hooper, I am the cultural resource laborer here at Kalaupapa National Historical Park. I enjoy caring for this heiau and all the s...pecial sites that were important to my kupuna and still are to us today. I feel blessed to keep our culture alive in this way." Leimomi is responsible for caring for cultural resources on the landscape, like ancient house sites, rock walls, fishing koa, heritage/historical trees, cemeteries, and heiau. Continuing to maintain these places is important for telling the story about the many people who have lived here. Some sites are still used for traditional purposes, like celestial observations that indicate seasonal changes, wayfinding, agricultural and fishing appreciation. This heiau Leimomi is cleaning here sits on the border between the ahupuaa of Kalawao and Makanalua and is a part of an intact boundary wall that extends from uka to kai, from cliff to sea, and is one of the few examples of such that exists today. PC: Leimomi Hooper/NPS #KalaupapaNHP #Makanalua #Kalawao #heiau #culturalresourceshawaii #huliikoupaka

November is Native American Heritage Month! This year, the National Park Service and the United States Public Health Service are celebrating their centennial partnership to protect, promote, and advance health in parks. As part of this celebration, the NPS Office of Public Health and the National Environmental Education Foundation are illuminating the stories and experiences of Native communities in connection to health and the outdoors through the fifth Power of Parks for H...ealth Roundtable on Thursday, November 4 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. EDT. The panel will discuss approaches to increasing visibility, representation and relevancy of Native history and communities in parks and public lands. Registration is free and open to all. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PANEL at https://www.nps.gov//he/novemberpopforhealthroundtable.htm **For a recording of the presentation click here: https://youtu.be/hHREbJJuwtk Moderator Gerard Baker (Yellow Wolf) Former Assistant Director for American Indian Relations National Park Service Panelists: Miki’ala Pescaia | Interpretative Park Ranger Kalaupapa National Historical Park Maria Givens | Co-Founder Tahoma Peak Solutions Jaclyn Roessel | Director Decolonized Futures and Radical Dreams at U.S. Department of Arts & Culture Ty Smith | Project Director Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio (NAICCO)

Kalaupapa National Historical Park is partnering again with KUPU to hire 3 full time one year interns beginning in January 2022 to assist us in our plant nursery and out planting sites at the trailhead. Duties would include vegetation and weed management, labor duties associated with managing the nursery, fence work, and occasional assistance of marine data collection. Applications are being accepted until November 15, 2021 through KUPU at https://www.kupuhawaii.org/conserva...tion/. Applicants must be 18 years and older (for Kalaupapa NHP site only), have complete vaccination for Covid-19, have a resume to upload and two references to complete their portion of the application by November 15 (once they receive the link from KUPU). For more information specific to Kalaupapa NHP as a work site, including the nature of accommodations, feel free to contact Kali Arce at [email protected]. See more