Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Workshop 9 presented as part of the 200th ‘Aha Pae‘āina
Valerie Monson, Executive Director of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, narrates a slideshow of historical and modern-day photos that show how the people of Kalaupapa and their families have sought justice since the first people were forcibly isolated there in 1866 because they had been diagnosed with leprosy, now also called Hansen’s disease.
The presentation focuses on three of these efforts: (1) the founding of Siloama Church by the early residents and how faith gave them hope and strength, (2) the work of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa in helping descendants reconnect to their Kalaupapa ancestors, (3) and plans to establish The Kalaupapa Memorial that will display the names of each of the nearly 8,000 people who were sent to the peninsula.
Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization organized in 2003 at the request of the Kalaupapa residents, family members and friends to advocate for the community, develop educational programs and preserve this important history. For more information: kalaupapaohana.org
Presenter:
Valerie Monson is an award-winning journalist who began visiting Kalaupapa in 1989 and has been interviewing the people of Kalaupapa and writing about them ever since. She is a founding member of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa and serves as Executive Director.
Workshop 9 presented as part of the 200th ‘Aha Pae‘āina
Valerie Monson, Executive Director of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, narrates a slideshow of historical and modern-day photos that show how the people of Kalaupapa and their families have sought justice since the first people were forcibly isolated there in 1866 because they had been diagnosed with leprosy, now also called Hansen’s disease.
The presentation focuses on three of these efforts: (1) the founding of Siloama Church by the early residents and how faith gave them hope and strength, (2) the work of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa in helping descendants reconnect to their Kalaupapa ancestors, (3) and plans to establish The Kalaupapa Memorial that will display the names of each of the nearly 8,000 people who were sent to the peninsula.
Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization organized in 2003 at the request of the Kalaupapa residents, family members and friends to advocate for the community, develop educational programs and preserve this important history. For more information: kalaupapaohana.org
Presenter:
Valerie Monson is an award-winning journalist who began visiting Kalaupapa in 1989 and has been interviewing the people of Kalaupapa and writing about them ever since. She is a founding member of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa and serves as Executive Director.
