Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 8, 1 August 2009 — COUNTDOWN TO CANONIZATION [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COUNTDOWN TO CANONIZATION

The Father Damien Legacy Dinner raised at least $200,000 to help send 1 1 former Kalaupapa patients and their caretakers to Rome to witness the canonization of Father Damien in October. Organizers of the sold-out 500-seat event unfortunately had to turn people away to the $200-per-ticket gala on July 1 8 at the Sheraton Waiklkl Hotel, said Geraldine Kaleponi, who called the night a "fabulous" success. The evening featured a four-course dinner, silent and live auctions, entertainment by musical luminaries like Robert Cazimero and Amy Hōnaiali'i Gilliom, and hula by Pukaikapuaokalani Hula Hōlau led by kumu hula Ellen Castillo. 0f course, the best seats in the house were reserved for the other stars of the evening - former Hansen's disease patients, the youngest of whom is 68. Some are pictured here, and all are wearing orchid lei. Seated, from left are: Gloria Marks, lvy Kahilihiwa, Barbara Marks, Ellawin Wilk and Makia Malo. Standing, from left, are: Dr. Ben Young of the University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine, Clarence "Boogie" Kahilihiwa, Winnie Harada, Norbert Palea, Catholic Bishop Larry Silva, Sebastiana Fernandez, John Arruda and Sister Alieia Damien Lau. Palea, the youngest of the former patients, said he felt "very humhle and grateful" for the outpouring of support that touches not only the people of Kalaupapa, but everyone to "make a better world because of (Damien's) legacy." In June 2009, OHA awarded $10,000 to 'Ahahui o Nō Kauka to honor the remaining residents of Kalaupapa and their efforts to memorialize Father Damien and the work he did in administering to their needs. 'Ahahui o Nō Kauka is the coordinating sponsor with the Diocese of Honolulu in their fundraising efforts to send nine Kalaupapa residents and their kōkua to Rome for the canonization. - Photo: LisaAsato