Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the value and dignity of every individual who was separated from their families and isolated on the Kalaupapa peninsula from 1866 to 1969. ‘Ohana members include the patients at Kalaupapa, their family members, friends, church leaders, officials and others who have a longtime interest in the community and its legacy.

Since Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa organized in the summer of 2003, one of the priorities has been to establish a Memorial on the peninsula that would list the names of the approximately 8,000 people who were forcibly sent there. A bill was introduced to Congress in late 2005 that would create the Memorial in two phases: the initial phase would list the names of the first 5,000 people who were sent to Kalaupapa between 1866 and 1896. Although there was a hearing before a House of Representatives subcommittee in September, 2006, the session ended before the bill could be brought to the House floor. On behalf of the ‘Ohana, Rep. Mazie Hirono introduced a similar bill to establish a Memorial on Aug. 2, 2007.

For the 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 gravesites of the approximately 8,000 people who have died at Kalaupapa. The vast majority have no tombstone -- their families have no real place to find closure or to pay tribute. It’s heartbreaking to walk through the cemeteries with family members who cannot find a grave of their loved one and feel that they have no way to honor their memory. 

While we wait for the authorization by Congress, the ‘Ohana believes we need to move ahead with compiling the list of the first 5,000 names. We feel  a certain sense of urgency because we want the current residents of Kalaupapa to be able to see that this effort has officially started and, most importantly, to enable them to be part of this important process while they are still with us.

All of these early names are in the public domain and can be accessed from various registers at the Hawaii State Archives and elsewhere.

In addition, she has developed an understanding of the location of additional information in private collections in Hawaii and elsewhere that will help to ensure that the list of 5,000 names is as complete as possible, since not everyone sent to Kalaupapa was listed on an admission register.

Henry was the first National Park Service employee at Kalaupapa and the first Superintendent of Kalaupapa National Historical Park.  He understands the federal policy necessary to create a Memorial in a National Park area and has also worked with the records at the Archives and elsewhere previously.  In addition, Henry has the capability to create a database that will include information on the first 5,000 people who were sent to Kalaupapa, but then be expanded to include more information in the future that will serve as an important means by which family members can bring their Kalaupapa relatives back into their family histories.  Anwei and Henry also plan to enlist the aid of Kiki Mookini, whom they have worked with before, who would help to ensure that the spelling of the Hawaiian names are accurate. Pauline Puahala Hess, vice president of the ‘Ohana whose mother still lives at Kalaupapa, would participate in the process, as well, so she can help family members in the future access the information. Piolani Motta will also be involved.

Anwei, Henry, Kiki and Pauline are all acquainted with Susan Shaner, the head archivist at the Hawaii State Archives. They would work closely with Susan, who also had family at Kalaupapa and who is very familiar with records that contain names.

The first phase of the Kalaupapa Memorial will serve as a testament not only to the first 5,000 people who were forcibly isolated at Kalawao/Kalaupapa, but also to their families and descendents, many of whom are only just learning about them.

We believe that the Kalaupapa Names Project and the Kalaupapa Memorial will help to guarantee that the legacy of the people of Kalaupapa will be passed down to future generations and reconnect family members to their past.

We are seeking donations for the Kalaupapa Names Project and the Kalaupapa Memorial. This is your chance to be part of preserving this very important component of the history of Kalaupapa.  Send your tax-deductible contribution to
Names Project/Memorial
Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa
PO Box 1111
Kalaupapa, HI 96742.