g for a place to pay tribute and find closure and healing often go away brokenhearted.
Kahilihiwa said that the Memorial will bring the people of Kalaupapa back into history – and make the history of Kalaupapa a more complete history.
“When you see all the names, it will be just like all of the people of Kalawao and Kalaupapa will be right there before you,” he said.
Anticipating the day when the Memorial will be unveiled, Kahilihiwa said simply:
“It will bring tears to my eyes.”
Hirono praised the ‘Ohana for the years of “hard work, perseverance and patience” to get the Kalaupapa Memorial Act passed.
“I would like to thank the members of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa for their ongoing efforts in establishing this memorial. I will continue to work with them until the Kalaupapa Memorial becomes a reality,” said Hirono.
The ‘Ohana is beginning the Environmental Assessment process with Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Among the components of the Memorial that still need to be decided are the location and the design guidelines. The ‘Ohana is responsible for all the fund-raising. This website will updated as progress happens.
"It is good for people to remember
who were there before us. It is just like those who
went to war and had died, there are monuments with their
names on it. There were thousands who were sent to Kalaupapa.
My mother was also sent to Kalaupapa"
Peter Keola Jr., 82
who was sent to Kalaupapa In 1940