Olivia Breitha, 90

An idea for a monument honoring the approximately 8,000 people sent to Kalaupapa since 1866 is not a new one. It has been much discussed over the years, but previous attempts have not gathered the momentum or widespread support that the present effort has generated.

The current proposal began in 2002 when Piolani Motta, the hanai daughter of legendary Hawaiian singer Lena Machado, went to the Kalaupapa community to ask their permission to begin pursuing her desire to see a monument erected on the peninsula. Piolani had only recently learned that her grandmother, Becky Perry, had been sent to Kalaupapa in 1898 and died in 1917. Since she became aware of that, Piolani began trying to find the grave of her grandmother, but to no avail. Concerned that other family members were left with the same frustration and disappointment at being unable to locate the final resting places of their ancestors, Piolani proposed erecting a monument that would become a place of healing for descendants of Kalaupapa residents who were seeking closure. She got early support for her idea from Senator Daniel Inouye and Senator Daniel Akaka.

In the summer of 2003, U.S. Rep. Ed Case met with the Kalaupapa community to discuss various needs and priorities. Among the subjects talked about was the proposed monument. A few months later, Rep. Case sent a letter to Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa President Kuulei Bell indicating his support for the monument, as well. Two years later, when Case asked to attend the ‘Ohana’s annual meeting and workshop, he presented the group a challenge: he needed a detailed proposal from the ‘Ohana before he could introduce a bill to Congress that would authorize the establishment of a monument at Kalaupapa.

For these first 5,000 people, the memorial will serve as a type of tombstone. Very few people sent to Kalaupapa before 1900 have a marked grave. Tombstones, wooden crosses or other markers that once existed have deteriorated over time. In addition, because of the harsh conditions faced by those early residents, many of them probably did not have tombstones in the first place. The National Park Service has been able to locate just 1,300 graves of the approximately 8,000 people who have died at Kalaupapa. The vast majority have no tombstone – their descendents have no real place to find closure or to pay tribute. It can be heartbreaking to walk through the cemeteries with family members who cannot find a grave of their loved one.

The first phase of the Kalaupapa Memorial would, essentially, return these first 5,000 people to their place in history. As Bernard Punikai`a recently said: “If we forget the names, we have lost a piece of our past.”

The second section of the monument – the last 3,000 names – would come later. The ‘Ohana has every intention of adhering to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Names could be added in increments of 500 or 1,000. The wishes of any Kalaupapa resident today who does not want their name on the monument will be respected.

A hearing was held on Sept. 28, 2006, before a House subcommittee where the bill received bipartisan support. Piolani Motta presented testimony on behalf of the ‘Ohana and told her own poignant story to the legislators who responded with bipartisan support. At the same time, the ‘Ohana elicited a massive drive for support of the monument. Within days, signed petitions or statements of support come from nearly every resident who had been sent to Kalaupapa.

Powerful letters in favor of a monument also came from family members, Governor Lingle Lingle, the leaders of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Bishop of the Honolulu Catholic Diocese, the Conference Minister of the Hawaii Conference United Church of Christ and the Pu`a Foundation `Ohana along with a resolution from the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

Because the hearing was held late in the session of an Election Year, the bill failed to make it to the floor of Congress before adjournment. Rep. Case recommended that his successor, Rep. Mazie Hirono, re-introduce the bill during the 2007 session. Rep. Hiirono said she was excited to do so. The ‘Ohana has been working closely with office of Rep. Hirono. It is believed that the bill will be re-introduced to Congress shortly.

It should also be noted that just a few months ago, Piolani Motta found the grave of her grandmother and was able to rub her hands on the name of the woman she never knew, but who has so greatly impacted her life. Discovering the grave has only made Piolani more determined to see the monument erected on the Kalaupapa peninsula so other family members who have no tombstones can likewise rub their hands across the names of their loved ones who deserve to be remembered.