Molokai History:
(From “Father Damien’s Letters”, Congregation of the Sacred Hearts SS.CC., Rome, 2017)
From a letter from Father Damien to Mr. Rudolph W. Meyer from Kalawao, March 20, 1877:
Dear Sir,
Father Andre wishes me to go up today to your place and help you survey the Kaunakakai and Halava church lots.
Trusting to your good will and long experience and having just now much priestly occupation with my people, I ask your pardon for not accompanying you. At the same time I beg of you dear Sir, please settle as soon as possible those two lots and get their deeds signed because our Bishop is just waiting for them in order to send up the materials and I to attend to the work and, if possible, first in Halava.
Yours truly,
J. Damien
[Note: Damien did not build a church at Kaunakakai. Rather, he built a church at Kamalo, a few miles to the east.]
Blessings, pono and pule!
Fr. Brian, ss.cc.
Priest
Molokai