[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 160 (Wednesday, December 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ESTABLISHING A MEMORIAL WITHIN KALAUPAPA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2005

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a bill 
introduced by my colleague, Representative Ed Case. His bill to 
establish a memorial within Kalaupapa National Historical Park would 
serve to honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who were 
forcibly relocated to the Kalaupapa Peninsula from 1866-1969.
  The sad history of Kalaupapa is well known within the State of 
Hawaii. Two tragedies occurred on the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north 
shore of the island of Moloka`i. The first is the removal of indigenous 
people in 1865 and 1895. The removal of Hawaiians from where they had 
lived for 900 years cut the cultural ties and associations of 
generations of people from the `aina (land).
  The second tragedy is the forced isolation of sick people to this 
remote place from 1866 until 1969. The establishment of an isolation 
settlement, first at Kalawao and then at Kalaupapa, tore apart Hawaiian 
society as the Kingdom of Hawaii, and subsequently the territory of 
Hawai`i, tried to control the feared disease of leprosy, now known as 
Hansen's disease. The impact of broken connections with the `aina and 
of family members ``lost'' to Kalaupapa are still felt in Hawai`i 
today.
  Kalaupapa National Historical Park, established in 1980, contains the 
physical setting for these stories. Within its boundaries are the 
historic Hansen's disease settlements of Kalaupapa and Kalawao. The 
community of Kalaupapa, on the leeward side of Kalaupapa Peninsula, is 
still home for many surviving Hansen's disease patients, whose memories 
and experiences are cherished values. In Kalawao on the windward side 
of the peninsula are the churches of Siloama, established in 1866, and 
Saint Philomena, associated with the work of Father Damien (Joseph De 
Veuster), a great humanitarian who gave his life to minister to the 
physical and spiritual needs of those banished to the settlement.
  Kalaupapa retains the memories and spirit of all those who lived 
there. Someday, the last Hansen's disease patient living in Kalaupapa 
will pass away. A memorial will be a permanent tribute to the brave 
souls who called Kalaupapa home. I support this legislation and hope my 
colleagues will also extend their support.

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