Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 11, 1 Nowemapa 2005 — Ka ʻOhana o Kalaupapa: E ho'ohanohano a e hoʻomau-- to honor and to perpetuate [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ka ʻOhana o Kalaupapa: E ho'ohanohano a e hoʻomau--to honor and to perpetuate

Cūlette Y. Machadū TrustEE, Mūlūka'i aud Lāna'i

I a»i £ u emember1-^ ing our past lVto guide the future" served as the motto for day one of the two-day annual meeting and workshop of Ka 'Ohana o Kalaupapa. Patients, extended family and friends, and clergy members gathered together on Oct. 14 and 15 to discuss issues affecting the eommunity now and in the future. Established in August 2003, the organization, as expressed in its mission statement, "is dedicated to promoting the value and dignity of every individual who was exiled to the Kalaupapa peninsula beginning in 1866. As an 'ohana, we cherish and look for guidance from our kūpuna of Kalaupapa, and we believe in the values of aloha, lōkahi, mālama, kōkua and pono. The goal of the 'ohana is to ensure that state and federal laws are carried out to guarantee that all patients ean 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 eome." Guided by principles like dignity, mālama, rememberance, compassion, respect, legacy and numerous others, the 'ohana has brought to light lively discussions about Kalaupapa's past, present and future. Written on laminated placards, these values and statements were passed around the room for every participant to take turns reading. "This exercise is to help us all remember why we are here," board member Valerie Monson said. Like previous years, the meeting, whieh drew a sizable crowd, was held at McVeigh Hall. The meeting

was called to order by Aunty Ku'ulei Bell, president of the 'ohana's board of directors. "I am so proud to be a part of Ka 'Ohana o Kalaupapa," she said. "This organization is wonderful - it's not just patients, but it's family members and people who have supported us for so many years. We are an 'ohana, working together to make life better for the patients and to preserve the history so people in the future will remember those who have passed on. We have to remember the history of all of us who were sent here, we have to remember the families who we had to leave and the families who might not even know about us. I hope this organization grows and becomes even stronger, and that more people learn about their family members at Kalaupapa." A quick summary of the organization's activities brought participants up to date on the 2004 year. Quarterly meetings were held in whieh informative presentations were sponsored by the 'ohana for issues relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the National Park Service and the state Department of Health. During the first quarter of the fiseal year, the 'ohana applied for and was awarded a small grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for technieal support, a newsletter, a website and other start-up expenses. The 'ohana was excited to announee its recent designation as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Day two was titled "Inspiring Future Generations" and focused on the memories of people at Kalaupapa and how they could be preserved for future generations. While patients continue to enjoy a peaceful, secluded lifestyle, eoncerns about the future weigh heavily on their hearts. With the pali looming in the distance as a reminder of an isolated past, and the vast oeean as a reminder of an uncertain future, patients remain positive that Ka 'Ohana o Kalaupapa will bring commitment and preservation to their unique history. E2