KŌKUA: HELP, HELPER. Although Saint Damien and Saint Marianne are world renown for their examples of compassion, faith and service, many others also came to Kalaupapa to kōkua. Some were relatives and some were strangers. One man was named Ira Barnes Dutton, a veteran of the Civil War who decided to devote his life to [...]
Molokai History: [from the Internet and history files at St. Damien] Andrew Kapalaau Poaha was born in Waikapoki, Kaneohe, Kingdom of Hawaii on May 17, 1856 to Edward William Bishop Kapalaau Poaha and Kalena Kamauoha. Andrew married Elizabeth Keakakulani Kapiioho and had 8 children. He knew Father Damien from when Father Damien was building Our [...]
Molokai History: [from Honolulu Advertiser, obituaries, March 11, 1931] Life of 115 Years Ends on Molokai Kamalo, Molokai - March 9 After residence on Molokai for more than 100 years, Mrs. Kailiohe Kameekua, age 115, died at her home here yesterday afternoon following an illness of about a month. The aged matriarch was born at [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, May 20, 1966] In 1963, a small catechetical center was built by Father John Van Gils on the right side of St. Sophia's church. He also found it necessary to enlarge the church in 1965. According to Father John, the parish of St. Sophia and its missions of Our [...]
Molokai History: (From "Father Damien's Letters", Congregation of the Sacred Hearts SS.CC., Rome, 2017) From a letter from Father Damien to Father Gabriel Germain ss.cc., procurator of the Congregation, from Kalawao, March 1876: The gifts received last year for the leprosarium have been used in great part to cover the costs of a beautiful chapel, [...]
Molokai History: (taken from "Father Damien's Letters", Congregation of the Sacred Hearts SS.CC., Rome, 2017) From a letter from Father Damien to his superior, Father Modeste Favens ss.cc., from Kalawao, December 28, 1874: Dear Reverend Father, I spent $8.25 for a trip and a small room at Kaluaaha. In Kaluaaha I spent $100 for the [...]
Molokai History (taken from: "Father Damien's Letters", Congregation of the Sacred Hearts SS.CC., Rome, 2017) from a letter from Father Damien to his superior, Father Modeste Favens, ss.cc., from Kalawao, September 1, 1874: Dear Reverend Father Will you be so kind as to send each article necessary to celebrate the Holy Mass -- enclosed [...]
Molokai History: (from "Father Damien's Letters", published by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, Rome, 2017) From a letter from Fr. Damien to his superior, Fr. Modeste Favens, ss.cc., April 19, 1874 from Kaluaaha: Father Andre will take charge of the leprosarium while I work in his district. I hope that the boat will continue [...]
Molokai History: (taken from "History of the Catholic Mission in the Hawaiian Islands" by Father Reginald Yzendoorn, SS.CC., Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Ltd., Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, 1927) (continued from July 13th) Father Damien continues the following description of the leper settlement at the time of his arrival, dated March, 1886: In previous years, having nothing but [...]
Molokai History: (from "History of the Catholic Mission to Hawaii" by Fr. Reginald Yzendoorn, SS.CC., Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Ltd., Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, 1927) Father Damien gives the following description of the settlement at the time of his arrival, in an official report which he addressed to the President of the Board of Health in March, [...]