Kalaupapa and Hawaii’s Isolation Laws Analysis Research Paper

Abstract

The territorial government discovered the outrageous consequences of leprosy in Hawaii. This made the whole island to be considered as an outcast. There were all kinds of people living in this small village and all of them were actual people in exile. This paper is an attempt to study all these issues and the participation of the US government in the abolition of this state of outcast. There are many instances that are considered in this understanding and all these things are part of this research work.

Introduction

This is an exclusive research work that has been structured for the comprehensive understanding of the factors that have declared the Kalaupapa, of Hawaii one of the outcast islands. I am dealing exclusively with the matter of concern and the issue of the Settlement at Kalaupapa, Hawaii and Hawaii’s Isolation Laws. This is a research work for the demonstrating purpose of making all kinds of expeditions for the discovery of the chief elements that are making this area more adversely separated from the main land.

As a matter of fact ‘Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement, National Historic Landmark summary listing’ declares that all these years there was no attention paid to this land. The whole village of Kalaupapa is in a state that is devastatingly participating in the bustling and tremendously occupied by the exciting tourists. Hawaii being one of the major attractions for tourists, demands for more attention to all its neighboring areas. The government is now getting concerned about the whole scenario. Jeela Ongley, in ‘Part of Kalaupapa’ emphasises over the issue and points out that, as the destinations like Waikiki and the extremely exciting Kilauea volcano, are closer to Kalaupapa; this place is coming under the major consideration of the Government and the steps are taken to bring in more protection and medical attention to its residents. This paper as a whole will concentrate on every possible and related aspect along with the core discussion over the Settlement at Kalaupapa, Hawaii and Hawaii’s Isolation Laws.

The problem

The basic problem is related to the resettlement of the entire group of leprosy stricken patients in this island of Kalaupapa, Hawaii. It has been always a place of exile for all those people who are suffering from leprosy. With the increase in popularity the attention has been directed towards this particular peninsula, and there was severe importance given to the people, living here. These are the people, who are very dangerously affected by leprosy and there seemed to have no solution for them. Added to the matter of the ‘Settlement at Kalaupapa, Hawaii and Hawaii’s Isolation Laws’, Henry Kalalahilimoku Nalaielua and Sally-Jo Keala-o-anuenue Bowman, in ‘No Footprints in the Sand – A Memoir of Kalaupapa’ remark that there are many social and political factors that are ignoring, the habitants of this island. The US government has slowly bringing in some care to the place. There are some medical attentions being forwarded. However being under the law of Isolation, people are very much reluctant to visit this Island. The people of Kalaupapa are in serious need of medical attention and that is something not being made available here. The US government seems helpless in making any major arrangement for this place. The disease is no doubt curable, but the mental block of considering the place as a locality for exile; brings in lots of negation for the medical assistances. Doctors are not willing to come to this place and thus the severity is getting into great concern.

Timothy Egan, brings in his idea in ‘The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American’ and states that the Island is getting into the notice of the visitors. Added to this the demand to be in this island by the tourist is tremendously increasing. With proper speculation and with permanent solution this island can be converted into a great tourist spot, but the problem is to find out means, in order to deal with its inhabitants. ‘Kalaupapa, The Hansen’s Disease Settlement’ brings in the notice over the issue that the public awareness and the global concern are bringing in lots of pressure to the issue. This is something that is again making US government get pressurized under the universal social and political concerns.

Personal interpretation

I personally never supported these kinds of discrimination. No matter what, the effort are, the importance lies in giving more preferences by the society and the government; in making the scene better. Keeping people in exile just because they have got leprosy is inhuman. There is no doubt to the fact that leprosy is contagious and it can well spread. However as I concentrate on the Settlement at Kalaupapa, Hawaii and Hawaii’s Isolation Laws, I make an exploration through the conditions that persists in the recent time. I am trying to justify the matter that ends up leaving people in an isolated island, and that too without any medical assistance and with some isolated law. This can never be appreciated.

Now that Hawaii is coming up as a great tourist spot, the government is getting concern about the issue. They are making all kinds of formalities and are bringing in some differences in the lives of the residents. These developments, I feel are all for the reason of extending the Hawaii as a bigger tourist spot. There are people who want to explore every island and thus the importance of Kalaupapa is increasing and as a result people over here are getting the necessary medical attention. These people never had the independence to be with the outer world, but now things are changing.

The basic target of my paper is to concentrate over the Settlement at Kalaupapa, Hawaii and Hawaii’s Isolation Laws and thus I explore the shift and the political and social performance that is happening in this peninsula. I prefer to explore every cause that led to the devastating condition of this island. There are many aspects that are still kept unexplored. Even in terms of media participation, it has been well restricted. There are though few exposures made through some authors, yet the whole issue is still under Government control. Even after exploring so well; there are still very limited precautionary aspects that make this issue more of global concern. These patients, who are living in this particular island are very badly infected by the germs of leprosy and there is hardly any solution left for their recovery. However, there are still some volunteer doctors who are contributing to this aspect and dedicating their duties. It is here that ‘Remembering Kalaupapa, The “Doc” Cooke Years 1925 – 1939’ was of great use to me.

The research initiations are all in terms of making bigger possibilities and broader perspectives. The chief target is to understand and to make people aware of these kinds’ practices. My attempt is to be in more adequate and predominant aspect to the resources, for the supply of medical personal in the island. Like the present few volunteers, there is the need for more people, and more of them have to be a part of it. With the participation of the government with this concern, there can be some possibilities that people will come into the periphery for more support. The tourism section of US too is demanding for some solutions and I hope that will bring in some relief to the whole scenario. The preferences and the participations are the two basic things that I will be exploring in my research paper.

I am making my study exclusive and trying to look into all those aspects that can bring some hope or solution to the issue of the Settlement at Kalaupapa, Hawaii and Hawaii’s Isolation Laws. The US government is under great pressure and that is something making it politically very aware. Added to this the global concern is of great importance in this matter and thus, I am also trying to bring in these things into my research work.

The details

Leprosy is well known for being a Hansen’s disease. It is no doubt contagious but is also spreads very easily through the touch from one person to another on direct basis. It travels from person-to-person contact though doesn’t get that easily transmitted. Skin lesions, along with mangle fingers and toes are the common sufferance. Later on it can make the worst case of being blind. Initially the awareness of being curable disease was not much under popularity. With the development of the highly medicated sulfone drugs; in the year 1940s, people were started being treated by it. The effects were astonishing and the purpose was well served. The best thing about this drug is that it protected the person from getting in to the contagious solution. Hawaii was thus led free from the exile policy in the year of 1969. All the patients who were sent to this island till 1969 are made free to leave the island and to settle down in some other places. Though many realised that returning to the mainland will never give peace to them and as such they decided to stay back and made Kalaupapa, their home land. The elaborative analysis was also very well demonstrated by Jack London, in The Lepers of Molokai. His analysis determines that it is true that the state has agreed over the fact that it will keep the settlement policy entirely open and also declared that it ill provide care to the patients. However the practical scene is something else.

Kalaupapa, Hawaii, is basically a village that has been counted as a site for the leprosy settlement. This was a well planned structure that was activated in order to get hold of the risk that persists in the village. There are lots of problems that are faced in relation to the act of settling this leprosy sequence. The attempts were made from a very long time. The initial settlements were made much really hard for the functionality of the State. As a matter of fact the whole process of settlement was established in the chosen spot of Kalawao, for the first time. It was towards the east, and is very much structured in a place that was opposite to an area in the village corner. It was a spot that was very much a part of the peninsula. In this island people are dying in large numbers and the youngest of all is 67 years of age. It has been decided that after the population further diminishes the National Park Service is going to bring in its management proficiencies to the peninsula for all kinds of rearrangements. The enforcement of the isolation policy was much strictly followed since 1873. This is exactly the place where Father Damien made his settlement in 1873. The island was as barren as it can be. There was no civilisation and people came in here were all supposed to make their own arrangements. It was without housing and without all those things that can make a society. They were not even facilitated with any kind of clothing or food. Strangely enough all these leprosy patients were thrown to die in the island. But with the participation of father Damien, hundreds of people were relieved of this disease.

However later there was an entire shift made to the specified location that is now the current village for settlement. This was the village that was initially recognized as Hawaiian fishing village and was quite a popular spot. As the whole settlement gets preceded there were many distinctive personalities comes in. one of the major roles was initiated by Mother Marianne Cope. ‘Settlement History – Why Here?’ is an elaborative piece about this process and is a well structured note on the declaration that there was a participation of about, say not less than 1,200 people. The crowd was comprised of men, women and children.

The colony

The colony is now declared as an integral part of Kalaupapa National Historical Park. This is an official announcement and that appropriately suits it. Alan Brennert, in ‘Moloka’I’ makes a remark over the mandatory terms of isolation; and comments that it was very abruptly stopped, short after the State Legislature considered the closing of the facilities in its entirety. The purpose was to pave the way for the settlement programs and the initiations. Don Ho and Don Picken, the prominent entertainer and TV newsman respectively were the dominant figures who participated in the intervention of this settlement process. The media always tried to present that there were basically no active cases related to leprosy, still the findings show that the residents were physically and mentally shattered and scared by the disease. The fear was so devastating that it was a trouble to the integration of the island. The mainstream society was not expecting any support and there were no instance of any further demonstration over it. It was indeed difficult for the existing community to be with the infected patient.

Deaths in leprosy

In the initial days this particular village was of less concern to the US governance. However as soon as, it started participating in the tourism sector and is continuously rolling in lots of money to the state, its importance is increasing. Audrey McAvoy, in ‘Hawaii leprosy settlement faces sainthood dilemma’, states that it is actually a very sacred ground and there are lots of believes associated with it. The most unwanted and the pathetic thing about this land is that it has got the history of leprosy disease. These people are suffering and added to this, the isolation law is making them suffer more. There are lots of aspects that are making this people suffer both physically and mentally. Added to all these aspects the death rates was also very alarming. Till the latest report, more than 8,000 people were suffering from leprosy and have died in severe consequences. There was lack of almost all kinds of support and medical attention in this remote peninsula. As determined by Jaymes Song, in his ‘Kalaupapa’s vanishing faces’, the estimation shows that there are only 40 elderly residents are found alive in the community of endangered leprosy patients.

As Hawaiian Kingdom had taken the initiative for the exiling leprosy patients to this particular village and implemented the isolation law, the things turn worse. Kluciole, in ‘Hawaii leprosy settlement in Kalaupapa faces sainthood dilemma’ states that it was a practice that was been offered since 1866. The instances of being torn away from the family are very common. There were who were scrounging for the isolated shelter and were left without clothes and food and all sorts of medical facilities. People who were dying out of leprosy were basically buried in various points and in unmarked graves in almost every single place of the peninsula. The situations are so adverse that there were all kinds of controversies that were making the place more politically and socially concern.

Visiting doctors

Apart from few volunteer doctors there are hardly anyone else who will prefer to go to this island. The major contributions were made by Dr. Brady and his fellow partner Dr.John A. Burns. The School of Medicine was also making lots of contribution with the physicians like those of Martina Kamaka and people like Peter Donnelley. They were providing personal care and were yielding the necessary medical attention to them. These were like the last doctors in the island and are very much active in making participations for social welfare. Added to all these things there were many other supports that were provided to the disease stricken people of Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

This is the dedicated attitude that makes these people supportive for all kinds of consequences. They dedicate their lives and make it worth for these people who are suffering from leprosy and are pain stricken. The discoveries have been made in a very large percentage, regarding the number of people who are suffering here. According to National Register Information System, all those people who were sent here to the island were basically those people who are originally from Polynesian. Candice Millard, in ‘The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey’ remarks these people as descent people who found their pain through the family separation and in the effort to settle under the law of isolation. Their attempts are all very dynamic and they believe that they can make things better. All these people who are providing volunteer medical services are overwhelmed with western culture. They are into Christianity and understand the distribution of pain.

There are all kind supports that are now being bestowed to the island. Earlier lots of ignorance was predominating the peninsula. Slowly the attentions over the issue of the Settlement at Kalaupapa, Hawaii and Hawaii’s Isolation Laws are being shared and people are getting more into the matter of sharing their experiences and sympathy to these leprosy stricken people. The participation of media and social welfare teams are coming up in large numbers and from all over the globe. The missionaries and the young doctors are contributing to this field. They are all of great concern and are making it a bigger issue for universal attention and solution. Terry Gross recalls an era of 100 years, of sufferring of all those who are engraved by leprosy and banished to Molokai. Mary Adamski made some of the descriptive instances of people like Glenn Harad, and coins their state as “untouchable hero.”

Related work

Apart from the exclusive work of John Tayman, ‘The Colony: The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai’, there are many literary contributions made in this particular topic. These are all very much related all kinds of diversified issues related to the concern topic. The contributions made from the Hollywood film making industry are having a great impact over the act of bringing in more attention from the public. There are specifically two films that bring in the topic to a great controversy within the social structure of US and the world as a whole. These two films are ‘The Father Damien Story – An Uncommon Kindness (2003), starred by Robin Williams, from the studio of Allumination and ‘Molokai: The Story of Father Damien’ starred by David Wenham, Kate Ceberano, and was directed by Paul Cox. Added to this Wilhelmina’s Gift, ‘Remembering Kalaupapa’, too has got an effective elaborationabout the whole settlement.

Added to these two films there are many literary contributions made by various writers. These are Alan Brennert’s ‘Moloka’I’, Timothy Egan’s ‘The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American,’ Candice Millard’s ‘The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey’, Audrey McAvoy’s ‘Hawaii leprosy settlement faces sainthood dilemma’ and Jeela Ongley’s ‘Part of Kalaupapa, UH alumni and faculty reflect on a special community’. These entire write ups are contributing a lot in bringing in the social and global awareness to the case. The US government can now really feel the pressure. These books are also meant to dedicate to al those people who contributed a lot in making this Island their home town and dedicating their loves in serving all the leprosy stricken people. ‘Settlement History – Why Here?’, along with ‘Kalaupapa, The Hansen’s Disease Settlement,’ and ‘Remembering Kalaupapa, The “Doc” Cooke Years 1925 – 1939,’ are getting tremendous response world wide. These write ups are very strong in bringing in the real image and the sufferance of all the disease stricken people in the island. The target of all these write ups to bring the relevant concern to the actual field of analysis. It is through this contribution that the people all over the globe are making bigger participation over the issue. There are lots of people who are trying to bring in the difference and added to which the people will also make a difference to the contributions and the major steps as has been taken by the US government. The issue of the Settlement at Kalaupapa, Hawaii and Hawaii’s Isolation Laws is a very sensitive issue and it is the basis of the actual and concrete reference that can change the image of US government.

Conclusions and further work

After the popularity of Hawaii, all the islands that are adjacent to it are getting all the attention from the tourists. Indeed for the tourism sector, this Island in particular, no doubt will roll in lots of foreign currencies to the state. It is as stated by KALAUPAPA MEMORIAL ACT OF 2008, Section 15 that the government of US is getting into its interest and is making real arrangements for the settlement of the leprosy patients in this island. However, John Tayman, in his ‘The Colony: The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai’ states that it is never going to be appropriate enough and there are lots of mechanical, technical and above all political and social hindrances on its way. There are no doubts that some volunteer doctors are serving in this island. However they are not enough for sure. People are dying here in great numbers and that is very pathetic and beyond any solution. The main problem of relocating these people is increasing day by day. Added to this the disease too is having a good grip over every possible solution. Father Damien’s Canonization a Step Closer made a distinctive elaboration of the situation. It is all about the transformation that can bring in some basic difference to this age old place that is suffering enormously. In my research all these things are going to be dealt with more specifications are there will be more elaborative understanding of every possible aspect. All kinds of social and political participation will make the paper more elaborative and the attemopt will be made to bring the issue under specific global notice. H.R. 3332: Kalaupapa Memorial Act of 2008, was forwarded for the establishment of a memorial in Kalaupapa National Historical Park. It is located on Molokai, Hawaii, in order to honor in those who were forcibly relocated at the Peninsula of Kalaupapa during 1866-1969.

For more insightful understanding of the issue the predominant films named ‘The Father Damien Story – An Uncommon Kindness (2003), starred by Robin Williams, from the studio of Allumination and ‘Molokai: The Story Of Father Damien’ starred by David Wenham, Kate Ceberano, and was directed by Paul Cox are must watch.

References

Alan Brennert, Moloka’I, Hardcover: 384 pages, ISBN-10: 031230434X.

Audrey McAvoy, Hawaii leprosy settlement faces sainthood dilemma, 2008. Web.

Candice Millard, The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey, Publisher: Broadway (2006), ISBN-10: 0767913736.

Father Damien’s Canonization a Step Closer, 2008. Web.

H.R. 3332: Kalaupapa Memorial Act of 2008, (110th Congress). Web.

Henry Kalalahilimoku Nalaielua, Sally-Jo Keala-o-anuenue Bowman, No Footprints in the Sand – A Memoir of Kalaupapa, Publisher: Watermark Publishing; 1st edition (2006), ISBN-13: 978-0977914302.

Jack London, THE LEPERS OF MOLOKAI, The First Letter in the Important Series of First-Hand Impressions for Which the Companion Has Sent Mr. London. Web.

Jaymes Song, Kalaupapa’s vanishing faces, Web.

Jeela Ongley, Part of Kalaupapa,UH alumni and faculty reflect on a special community, 2008. Web.

John Tayman, The Colony: The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai, Publisher: Scribner (2006), ISBN-10: 074323300X.

KALAUPAPA MEMORIAL ACT OF, The United States House of Representative, 2008, Section 15.

Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement, National Historic Landmark summary listing, National Park Service, 2008. Web.

Kalaupapa, The Hansen’s Disease Settlement, 2008. Web.

Kluciole, Hawaii leprosy settlement in Kalaupapa faces sainthood dilemma, Posted by kluciole at 2008.

Mary Adamski, Sheriff of Kalaupapa demystified disease, PAUL HARADA /1926-2008, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Web.

Molokai: The Story Of Father Damien, Starring: David Wenham, Kate Ceberano Director: Paul Cox, Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Language: English, Subtitles: English, Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1, Number of discs: 1, Studio: Vision Video

National Register Information System, National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service, 2008. Web.

Remembering Kalaupapa, The “Doc” Cooke Years 1925 – 1939, Web.

Settlement History – Why Here? 2008. Web.

Terry Gross, Fear and Loathing in Hawaii: ‘Colony’, Global Health, 2008. Web.

The Father Damien Story – An Uncommon Kindness (2003), Starring: Robin Williams, Actors: Robin Williams, Format: Dolby, NTSC, Language: English, Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.), Studio: Allumination.

Timothy Egan, The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American, Dust Bowl (Edition 001), Publisher: Mariner Books (2006), ISBN-10: 0618773479.

Wilhelmina’s Gift, Remembering Kalaupapa, Web.