On April 30, 2015, four of our students along with Executive Director, Pualani Enos, STEM teacher, Kevin Lauterbach, and language arts teacher, Tammy Tanaka, were provided with the opportunity to experience the history and beauty of Kalaupapa, Moloka’i. They visited both Kalawao, the original settlement for patients, and Kalaupapa. The students were able to experience the places they have been reading about in their language arts class— Damien Road, St. Philomena’s Church, Siloama Church, Kauhako Crater, St. Elizabeth Chapel, and Bishop Home among other places. We would like to send a big, warm mahalo to their sponsors, Albert and James Espaniola and Luana Ka’aihue, for helping our students and staff to make memories that will last a lifetime. In the upcoming days we will share excerpts of writing from the travel journals of the students and staff.
“I am thankful to our two sponsors, Uncle James and Uncle Albert, for our trip to Kalaupapa and showing us around Kalaupapa and Kalawao. I really took in all of the history of Kalaupapa and what all of the people went through. Before I went to Kalaupapa, I thought that it was going to be another Maui, but it wasn’t. It was so peaceful there. If you asked me if I had one wish, it would have been to stay at Kalaupapa for two weeks. It was so beautiful there and quiet.”—Justin M.
