Women of Kalaupapa

Mother Marianne Cope Grave Marker at Kalaupapa

Photo by T. Scott Williams

A History of Healing and Hope at a Hawaiian National Historic Landmark

Article Written By Christopher E. Johnson, NPS Historian

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For this Women’s History Month, the National Historic Landmark (NHL) Program recognizes the lives and legacies of the women of Kalaupapa. Designated as an NHL in 1976, the Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement on the north coast of the Hawaiian island of Molokai preserves the stories of the more than 8,000 people affected by leprosy (now also known as Hansen’s Disease) who were exiled there between 1866 and 1969 under the belief that this would halt the spread of the disease. Throughout Kalaupapa’s history, women have played vital roles in improving conditions at the settlement and advocating on behalf of the community.

Mother Marianne Cope (now Saint Marianne) of the Sisters of Saint Francis is notable as the first member of an American religious congregation to travel to Hawai‘i to provide nursing services and religious counseling to Hansen’s Disease patients. From 1888 to her death in 1918, Mother Marrianne presided over the Bishop Home for Girls at Kalaupapa where she became known for her kindness, humility, leadership, and for treating all people with dignity and respect.

Queen Kapi‘olani, ca. 1877

Photo by A. A. Montano, Hawaii State Archives

Women of the Hawaiian royal family also made contributions at Kalaupapa. In her campaign against David Kalākaua in the 1874 election, Queen Emma, whose cousin Peter Ka‘eo had been sent to Kalaupapa, expressed her intent to end the policy of forced isolation on Molokai. Queen Kapi‘olani visited Kalaupapa in 1884, stopping at every household to ask what the patients’ needed for their comfort. Afterwards, she sent care packages addressed to each of the residents with the items they requested. She also raised funds for the establishment of the Kapi‘olani Home for Girls on O’ahu where girls born at Kalaupapa could live before reentering society at age twenty-one. Queen Lili‘uokalani made three trips to Kalaupapa from 1881 and 1891. Between visits, she raised funds and implemented reforms to improve conditions at the settlement. She also assisted the Board of Health in acquiring land for a branch hospital on O‘ahu.

Women occupied various roles in healing and spiritual leadership at Kalaupapa. This included Reverend Alice Kahokuoluna, the first woman ordained as a Congregational minister in Hawai‘i. Known as “Mother Pastor,” Reverend Kahokuoluna ministered at Kana‘ana Hou Church from 1938 until 1956, leaving shortly before her death the following year. During this time, she organized the restoration and rededication of the Siloama Church, the first Protestant church at the settlement, established in 1866. She also initiated the practice of holding Easter sunrise services at the rim of Kauhakō Crater which afforded sweeping views of the settlement and the ocean. Although she primarily served Kalaupapa’s Protestant congregation, Reverend Kahokuoluna regularly made visits to patients of all denominations at their homes and the hospital.

View from Kauhakō Crater where Reverend Alice Kahokuoluna held Easter sunrise services

NPS Photo/Christopher E. Johnson

The women of Kalaupapa also advocated for themselves, their community, and other people affected by Hansen’s Disease. In 1969, Anita Una represented the people of Kalaupapa as a member of the Citizens’ Committee on Leprosy. The committee’s recommendations led to the rescinding of the mandatory isolation policy after more than a century of injustice. Una was later recognized for her contributions with induction in the National Women’s Hall of Fame Book of Lives and Legacies along with five other women from Kalaupapa: Rose Marks, Catherine Puahala, Elaine Remigio, Olivia Breitha, and Winnie Harada.

Women continued to promote justice and healing for the people of Kalaupapa after the end of the segregation policy. In 1988, Olivia Breitha published Olivia: My Life of Exile in Kalaupapa, the first autobiography by a patient. Her story raised awareness of the stigmatization she and others experienced while highlighting the inherent humanity and dignity possessed by all. In 2003, Kalaupapa’s long-time postmaster Elizabeth Ku‘ulei Bell became the first president of the non-profit Ka ‘Ohana o Kalaupapa. Today, the organization continues to work to improve medical services, preserve the community, and educate the public about Kalaupapa’s history.

For more information, visit the Kalaupapa National Historical Park website.