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ABOUT US

Mission Statement

Future leaders of Ka 'Ohana O Kalaupapa mapped out their kuleana during a Leadership Training training workshop on Oahu.

Photo: Henry Law

THE ‘OHANA MISSION STATEMENT
OUR VISION
GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, an ohana of Kalaupapa patients,  their family members and friends, is dedicated to promoting the value and dignity of every individual exiled to Kalaupapa since 1866.  As an ‘ohana, we cherish and look for guidance from our kupuna of Kalaupapa and we believe in the values of aloha, lokahi,  malama, kokua, and pono.  The goal of the ‘Ohana is to ensure that the state and federal laws are carried out to guarantee that all patients can live out their lives in Kalaupapa with all the necessary support and services. We will also work with and serve as a resource for other entities to help shape the community’s future, assist with the interpretation of history, educate the public and make certain that the legacy of Kalaupapa will remain a living inspiration and testament for generations to come.

Together, the kupuna of Kalaupapa, their family members, friends and supporters will:

  • Honor with pride the people who were exiled to Kalaupapa;
     

  • Always remember how the world has been enriched through the legacy of the lives of the people of Kalaupapa, their experiences and their contributions to society;
     

  • Work in partnership to ensure that the Kalaupapa patients can remain in their homes and live out their lives with a level of staff support and quality of services to maintain their comfort, health and dignity;
     

  • Serve as a resource to the state Department of Health, The National Park Service and other agencies on issues affecting the community now and in the future to preserve, protect and perpetuate the history, the way of life, the values, the cultural heritage and the environment;
     

  • Assist those individuals who want to find out moreinformation about their family members who were banished to Kalaupapa;
     

  • Educate staff, visitors and the public at large through programs, brochures and outreach sessions;
     

  • Combat prejudice, discrimination, segregation, rejection, the use of derogatory terminology and the stigma associated with leprosy through support, respect, dignity and public awareness programs;
     

  • Remind the public that human rights are a basic part of life, guaranteed to every person.

During our initial workshop, participants were asked to express, in a single word or phrase, what they hoped the `Ohana would stand for and represent. That list of words, has served as our building blocks and helped form the foundation of the mission statement and our goals.

Pono

Direction

Understanding

Communication

Cherish

Effort

Love

Unity

Remember

Getting along

Continuity

Respect

Honor

Compassion

Legacy

Advocate

Community

Conservation

Ho`oponopono

Mana

Commitment

Awareness

Lokahi

Justice

Educate

Dignity

Malama

Cultural heritage

Living Memorial

Perpetuate

Promote

Dedication

Family

Environment

Hope for the best

Aloha

Empowerment

Perseverance

Support

Humility

Integrity

Trust in the Lord

CATHRINE PUAHALA

“I think we deserve to be remembered. We are part of this world.”

—  Cathrine Puahala

artisan and international advocate, sent to Kalaupapa in 1942

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