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 DEDICATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 KAPIOLANI HOME 
 
 DEVOTED TO THE CARE OE GIRLS, THE CHILDREN 
 OF LEPROUS PARENTS, NOT YET CONFIRMED 
 .IS' LEPERS, AND OTHERS SUSPECTED 
 OF THE DISEASE. 
 
 HONOLULU, NOVEMBER 9, 1885. 
 
 Advertiser Steam Print, Honolulu, H. I. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE 
 
 KAPIOLANI HOME. 
 
 Exercises Commencing at 1 1 A. M., 
 
 NOVEMBER 9. 1885. 
 
 I1.\W.\IIA.\ .\NTHKM KOY.^. 1I.\\V.\I1.\N H.VNI). 
 
 1 — Prayer By Ilis Lordship the Bishop of OUhj. 
 
 2 — Solig : P] Ola ka Moi, (Long Live the King,) ... .By Leper 
 
 Children, accompanied by the Royal Llawaiian Band 
 
 — Address By Ilis Ex. W. M. Gibson, President of the 
 
 Board of Health 
 
 4 — Song : Hoe a Man, (tune : Pull for the Shore) By Leper 
 
 Children, accompanied by the Royal Hawaiian Band 
 
 •» — Presentation ... To Queen Kapiolani, as Lady Patroness, of 
 the Keys of the Home, when Her Majesty will declare the 
 institution opened 
 
 t) — Delivery of Keys By Her Majesty, to the Reverend 
 
 Mother Superior of Franciscan Sisters 
 
DEDICATION EXERCISES. 
 
 7 — Hymn : The Hawaiian Lepers’ Hymn . . Hawaiian version 
 composed hy His Majesty the King, arranged to music hy 
 Prof. H. Berger, and sung hy Leper Children, accom- 
 panied hy the Royal Hawaiian Band 
 
 Hawaiian Lepers’ Hymn 
 
 1 
 
 Kou lima Mana man 
 Na eha i kau mai ; 
 Maluna o niakou na ike, 
 Kona huhu, me ke aloha. 
 
 2 
 
 Karibto! ke Keiki man, 
 
 Aloha i na Lepera, 
 
 Hoopa i na lima, na ino nei. 
 
 Hoola ( na palaho. 
 
 3 
 
 Ma kona Noho Alii, 
 
 I'a ike maluna ae, 
 
 Eha ka naau a hoouna mai 
 I kona Elele Aloha. 
 
 4 
 
 Kipa mai na ViriKini. 
 
 Hoike ko lesu aloha 
 Hooluolu na naau, 
 
 Ke aloha mai ka Lani. 
 
 5 
 
 Na aloha mai luna mai 
 E ola nei makou ; 
 
 E ikaika ka manaolana 
 Ko ka Lani wahi maha mau. 
 
 * 
 
 6 
 
 Na Moi, na Alii pu. 
 
 Me ka Lahui a pau; 
 
 Hoohalike, hoolana ae. 
 
 Hookah! puuwai aloha. 
 
 8 — Address to their Majesties 
 of the Branch Hospital 
 
 1 
 
 The Almighty’s chastening hand. 
 
 A sore affliction sends; 
 
 But trusting still we feel 
 His wrath with mercy blends. 
 
 2 
 
 The Christ: — His blessed Son 
 The Lepers’ woe did feel: 
 
 He touched the unclean sores 
 Th’ incurable did heal. 
 
 3 
 
 Ascended to His Throne 
 He .sees from above. 
 
 Feels for oiTr woe and sends 
 His Messengers of Love. 
 
 4 
 
 They come — Good Sisters come, 
 
 Tlieir love for Christ to prove 
 
 And soothe our stricken hearts 
 With Heaven’s divinest Love. 
 
 5 
 
 These mercies from on High 
 With which our lot is blest. 
 
 Make strong in us the hope 
 Of Heaven’s eternal rest. 
 
 6 
 
 Our King and Queen and Chiefs: — 
 Hawaiians everywhere; 
 
 Unite with loving hearts 
 In this our hope and prayer. 
 
 By Rev. J. Kaaua, an inmate 
 
 9 — Hymn : Home Maikai, (Home Sweet Home) . Sung hy 
 Leper Children, accompanied hy the Royal Hawaiian 
 Band 
 
 HAWAII PONOI, (HAWAIIAN ANTHEM.) 
 COXjX.-A^’T'IOI^. 
 
THE 
 
 DEDICATION CEREMONIES. 
 
 ^hp: formal dedication of the Kapiolani Home took place on 
 Monday, Nov. 9th, 1885, being the anniversary of the 
 landing of the Franciscan Sisters of Charity in Honolulu. 
 
 Eleven o’clock was the time fixed for commencing the ceremo- 
 nies of the day, and shortly before that hour numerous carriages 
 with ladies and gentlemen were driven across the road from the 
 Immigration Depot to the Home. The greatest interest seemed 
 to be taken in the events of the day by the natives who reside 
 along the line of road. The rain of the previous night had laid 
 the dust, and the day was delightfully fresh and cool, with a 
 strong trade wind blowing. The Queen’s Own Volunteers, com- 
 manded by Captain W. F. O’Connor, acted as a guard of honour ; 
 and Colonel E. \V. Purvis, Vice Chamberlain, received the guests. 
 A company of leper children occupied seats under the temporary 
 awning erected for their accommodation in the yard of the Home, 
 the Royal Hawaiian Band occupying the town side of the same 
 structure. The children were clean and neatly dressed, and 
 appeared to be in vigorous health. There was hardly anything 
 visible to the eye to suggest an unpleasant thought, but much 
 
r; 
 
 
 DEDICATION CEREMONIES. 
 
 to encourage hope and kindly pleasure in the hearts of the 
 promoters and patrons of the Kapiolani Home. 
 
 The Royal Standard was unfurled from a flag-staff inside the 
 grounds of the Home, as, promptly at 11 o’clock, their Majesties 
 the King and Queen, accompanied by other members of the 
 Royal Family, drove up to the enclosure and were received by 
 the Vice-Chamberlain, the Queens Own saluting in a soldier- 
 like manner. The President of the Board of Health, His 
 Excellency W. M. Gibson ; the Honorable A. S. Cleghorn ; His 
 Excellency Paul Neumann, Attorney-General ; and the Honor- 
 able Colonel laukea members of the Board, who had previously 
 arrived, received their IMajesties at the entrance to the large 
 school-room where the opening ceremonies were to take place, 
 the Royal Anthem being played by the band. 
 
 The room was tastefully decorated with palms, evergreen 
 wreaths and flowers. A large picture of Queen Kapiolani, 
 presented to the Home by His lilxcellency Mr. Gibson, was 
 luing in the centre of the room, surrounded by wreaths. 
 Underneath this picture a beautiful blue satin banner, having a 
 cross and the letters K. H. worked in gold upon it, presented by 
 Mrs Hayselden, (daughter of IMr. Gibson) was suspended. On 
 either side of the picture was a vase of flowers. The sides and 
 corners of the room were similarly decorated, as was also the 
 veranda at the main entrance. Among those present were the 
 following: Their Majesties the King and Queen, Her Royal 
 
 Highness Princess Liliuokalani, Her Royal Highness Princess 
 Likelike, Her Royal Highness Kaiulani, Her Excellency the 
 Governess of Hawaii, Honorable A. S. Cleghorn, His Excellency 
 Walter 1\I. Gibson, ^Minister of Foreign Affairs ; His Excellency 
 Paul Neuman, Attorney-General, and IMrs. Neuman; ^Irs. C. 
 T. Gulick, i\Irs. J. IM. Kapena and Miss Kaiiena, His Excellency 
 George W. Merrill, United States IMinister Resident, and Mrs. 
 Merrill ; Colonel C. H. Judd, His Majesty’s Chamberlain ; the 
 Right Reverend the Bishop of Honolulu, and IMrs. Willis; the 
 Right Reverend the Bishop of Olba, Mr. Justice McCully, Mr. 
 
 L Fred. H. Hayselden and Mrs. Hayselden, ]\Ir. J. Nakamura, 
 
DEDICATION CEREMONIES. 
 
 Japanese Consul; Reverend George Wallace, Reverend C. E. | 
 Groser and Mrs. Groser, Fathers Leonor, Clement and Svlvester. * 
 
 Reverend J. A. Cruzan, Reverend J. Waiarnau, Honorable H. ^ 
 
 M. Whitney and Mrs. M’hitney, the Marshal of the Kingdom, | 
 
 Mr. J. H. Soper and Mrs. Soper ; Honorable W. J. Smith, | 
 
 Honorable W. G Parke and IMiss Parke, Colonel the Honorable | 
 
 C. P. laukea. Majors Antone Rosa and J. D. Holt, Jr., of the | 
 Governor’s Staff ; Mrs. S. G. M’ilder, Captain and IMrs. Tripp, j 
 Mr. J. D. Strong and ^Irs. Strong, Doctors E. Arning, ^1. Goto . ] 
 and E. C. Webb ; Professor M’. D. Alexander, Honoralile J. Keau, j 
 Mother Superior IMarianne and six Sisters, Miss Gardiner, Mrs. | 
 
 Ailau, Mrs. J. A. Hopper and IMiss Hopper, Mrs. J. M. Damon, | 
 
 Mrs. A. T. Atkinson, Miss von Holt, IMessrs. S. M. Damon, F. | 
 
 W. Damon, Colonel Mark P. Robinson, W. W. Hall, Honorable | 
 R. H. P>aker, J. M. Poepoe and wife, J. Wahineaua and wife, J. | 
 
 \\'. Naukana and daughter, J. S. Kekukahiko, B. Kaaua, H. | 
 
 Kaumialii. L. Xaauao, Pekelo, J. P. Hanaaumoe, J. S. Kapolena, | 
 
 A. P. Kalaukoa, T. Heu, D. M'. Pua. J. Akina, J. Kanui I 
 
 and others. | 
 
 It may be mentioned in this place that, as a delicate compli- j 
 
 ment to the Kapiolani Home, which was to be opened formally j 
 
 by Her Majesty, the King and Queen, His Excellency W. IM. j 
 
 Gibson, and Colonel Judd, the King’s Chamberlain, wore the i 
 
 Star of the Order of Kapiolani. His E.xcellency Mr. Gibson 
 also wore the Star and Ribbon of Pius the Ninth. The Bishop ; 
 of Olba and Father Leonor likewise wore their decorations, of 
 the Royal orders of Kalakaua and the Crown of Hawaii. 
 
 The Bishop of Olba read the dedication prayer in Hawaiian) 
 after which the children sang the song “Long Live the Kin^’’ : 
 in the Hawaiian language, accompanied by the hand. • : 
 
 

 
 ADDRESS BY THE 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH 
 
 Excellency Mr. Gibson, the President of the Board of 
 Health, then delivered an address in the Hawaiian 
 language, after which he spoke in English as follows ; 
 
 Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, My Lord Bishop, ladies 
 and gentlemen — The memorable occasion which unites us to-day 
 not only marks another day’s advance in the onward march of the 
 Hawaiian Kingdom on the highway of humanity and civilization, 
 but records in a notable manner in the dedication of this building, 
 an anniversary which should ever be remembered by the Hawaiian 
 nation wdth deep interest and grateful hearts. I allude to the 
 coming of the Sisters of Charity on November 8, 1883, to assist 
 in caring for and nursing the lepers, and other sufferers among 
 our people. As the 8th of this year fell upon a Sunday, we were 
 constrained to arrange for the dedication on this day, the 9th, 
 instead of upon the actual anniversar}'. Let me briefly narrate 
 the history of the benevolent mission of the Sisters among us> 
 for it would seem to be peculiarly appropriate upon this doubly 
 interesting occasion. It had been felt for some few' years 
 previous to their coming that many sick among us were afflicted 
 w ith a disease so peculiarly objectionable in its character an d 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 9 
 
 conditions that to cope with it, with any possibilities of relief, it 
 was not alone sufficient to be provided with skilled physicians 
 and remedies, but with experienced and devoted nurses — es- 
 pecially women, endowed with that rare devotion to the cause 
 of the sick and suffering that arises solely from the highest 
 inspiration of Christian charity. The hope was entertained that 
 possibly some of those self-sacrificing religious women, who had 
 devoted their lives to the care of the lepers in such institutions 
 as that at Tracadie in Canada, might be induced to exercise 
 their great charity in these Islands. In furtherance of the reali- 
 zation of this hope, I had the honor to address the Bishop of 
 Olba a letter, dated .January 4, 1883, in which I informed His 
 Lordship that the care of the sick poor of this Kingdom had 
 most earnestly enlisted the sympathies of Their Majesties the 
 King and Queen and awakened the solicitude of the Government, 
 that they appreciated the necessity for trained and faithful nurses, 
 and felt that nowhere could such invaluable assistance be ob- 
 tained so readily as among the ranks of those blessed Sisterhoods 
 of Charity, who have, in various parts of the earth devoted them- 
 selves to the care of the sick, and I concluded with these words : 
 
 “ My Lord, as I am aware that eminent institutions of charity, 
 such as I have referred to, and which this country needs, 
 abound in the Catholic Church ; and as I feel assured that your 
 representation would be all influential, I make an appeal, and 
 offer an invitation through you to Sisters of Charity of your 
 Church to come to the help of the sick of this country ; and I 
 doubt not I may proffer to them in advance the profound ob- 
 ligation and gracious recognition of Their Majesties, the thanks 
 of His Majesty’s Government, and the blessings of the Hawaiian 
 people.” 
 
 The Bishop responded promptly and favorably. The Rev. 
 Father P. Leonor was designated as the agent to go forth on a 
 mission to seek the much needed help ; and His Majesty gave 
 to the Rev. Father a Royal Commission to assist him in his 
 quest. After arduous, and for a long time baffling endeavors in 
 his many applications to the various religious orders in the 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 n: 
 
 United States, he found at last, after petitioning over fifty 
 different religious Sisterlx)ods, a favorable hearing at the 
 Franciscan Convent of Saint Anthony, in the city of Syracuse, 
 in the State of New York. At this Convent the question of the 
 great mission of charity to care for the lepers of the Hawaiian 
 Islands was discussed and deliberated in a solemn Chapter of 
 the Sisterhood, and I am happy to say as a result of the 
 rei^resentation made, and of the noble enthusiasm awakened, 
 that no less than tweYity-four volunteers among the Sisters 
 offered themselves as willing and anxious to go forth and help 
 the hopeless sufferers in the far distant Isles of the Pacific. Of 
 this number six were selected as a pioneer band, and accompanied 
 by the Mother Superior of the Convent, Sister Marianne, arrived 
 in Honolulu on November 8th, a. d. 1883, by the steamship 
 Mariposa. This little band of heroic and faithful women 
 divided its forces, the Mother Superior and three of the Sisters 
 taking their post of watchful duty and unremitting toil at this 
 Hospital, and the three other Sisters going to the Malulani 
 Hospital established at Wailuku. An additional recruit of four 
 Sisters from the Convent at Syracuse arrived here on the 22d 
 day of April, 1884, per steamship Alameda. Shall I speak in 
 praise of the work done by the Sisters? I think not. Mere 
 praise for such work as theirs would be entireh' out of place, 
 but I will say that they have won the hearts of our sufferers 
 whom they care for ; and in return let us revere them in our 
 memories and never forget the coming of this American mission 
 of charity and the “ Landing of the Sisters” Day. 
 
 Another anniversary in connection with our sad national 
 calamity is rapidly approaching, for it is now within a few weeks 
 of twenty t’ears, since this little State was first called upon to 
 gird up her loins and do battle with the most gigantic, and sup- 
 posed to be incurable, malady that has followed the birth of 
 man — a disease that was eating away the very vitals of a once 
 numerous people, and one the nature of which continues to baffle 
 the researches of the most learned and persevering of physicians 
 in all parts of the civilized world. Leprosy may be said to 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 11 
 
 have first struck this nation about thirty years ago, or, at least, 
 it had not attracted the attention of medical men at an earlier 
 period. As soon as the disastrous effects of the disease were 
 manifest among the people, the Hawaiian Government, in a 
 brave and philanthropic spirit, bent its energies to stay its 
 ravages. It was a great task in view of the limited resources of 
 this small State and the other important demands upon its 
 finances. On account of the rapid increase*and apparent epidemic 
 character of the disease, segregation was determined upon by 
 the Government, and the first step taken was to secure a suitable 
 isolated retreat where, by as humane as possible a system of 
 separation from the healthy portion of the community, the un- 
 fortunate lepers would receive such care and attention as would 
 alleviate as much as possible their unhappy condition. In 
 January, ISGfi, was first commenced the Leper Settlement of 
 Kalawao, a beautiful domain of about 6,000 acres in extent, on 
 the island of IMolokai. Since the establishment of the Settlement 
 up to this date there have been cared for within its bounds, as 
 sick wards of the nation, 8,101 lepers, and there are of this 
 number 689 living at this day. The wants of these unfortunate 
 people have been attended to in a manner which, considering 
 our resources, would do credit to the most powerful, wealthy and 
 enlightened of foreign States. 
 
 In thus briefly referring to the work of comparatively but few 
 years it must he always borne in mind that the calamity came 
 upon the nation somewhat by surprise, and certainly with an 
 unanticipated virulence, which required very extraordinary 
 efforts to counteract in our then state of inexperience. Little by 
 little we gained more knowledge, and with it confidence. We 
 called in men of experience to investigate, assist and advise, 
 and have sought far and wide for all the information that would 
 enable the Government to deal intelligently and humanely 
 with a great calamity affecting the health of the people. In the 
 endeavor to conquer or control this malady by segregation and 
 care at Kalawao alone, the Government has expended during 
 the last twenty years no less a sum than •1'613,756. To this 
 
12 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 I must be added the cost of the establishment and current 
 I expenses of the Branch Hospital during a period of four years, 
 I and then adding cost of medical services and various incidental 
 I expenses swells the expenditure on account of leprosy for the 
 I period mentioned to a total of fully if 1,000,000. The Government 
 I now expends in the care and promotion of the health of the people 
 I at least one-tenth of the annual revenues of the Kingdom. I 
 I cannot recall to mind any other country in the civilized world 
 I that can, in comparison, make such an unhappy statement, and 
 I yet one which is so much to the credit of the humanity of the 
 I nation. The mind of the Legislator and philanthropist can rise 
 I to no nobler work than to benefit the sick and helpless of his 
 I fellowmen, and to provide for the general health of the people. 
 I Such is, and ever should be, the foremost aim of those who are 
 I entrusted by His Majesty with the administration of the affairs 
 I of this Kingdom. 
 
 I This is not the occasion and I am not a proper authority to 
 I consider the nature of the disease of leprosy, or to express a 
 I decided opinion upon the question of contagion and consequent 
 I segregation. I have no hesitation, however, in saying that the 
 I question is one that has a remoter interest than what is popularly 
 I entertained, especially abroad, inasmuch as while admitting 
 I that the malady is contagious underthe most favorable conditions, 
 I yet it does not seem to be more so than many common diseases, 
 I the result of an impaired condition of blood, which are generally 
 I accepted as being non-contagious, and only become so through 
 I peculiary favorable and strongly corresponding circumstances. 
 I Certainly there is nothing in the history of the disease, or 
 I attaching to it, to cause the foreigners visiting our shores to be 
 I in the slightest degree apprehensive of danger, inasmuch as 
 I only seven out of about eight hundred lepers now cared for in 
 I our hospitals are foreigners, who have all been long resident in 
 I the country, and very intimately associated with the native 
 I people. It is very hopeful, also, to bear in mind, upon this 
 I occasion especially, that the medical wisdom of the wmrld is 
 I being daily iircreased and enriched by patient research and 
 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 13 
 
 assiduous study, that many diseases long deemed incurable, and 
 the causes of which'were long thought to be untraceable, inde- 
 finable and inexplicable, have been brought under medical 
 subjection by the concentration of the intellectual forces of the 
 age. So ma}' it be with the mysterious malady of leprosy. I 
 trust that modern scientific investigation will solve the problem 
 that has puzzled the world for ages and as far back as humanity 
 possesses records and traditions. 
 
 In this Kingdom every effort is being made — under the 
 direction of Ilis Majesty’s (Tovernment — by able men and 
 devoted women, working in the midst of the dreadful disease 
 it.self, to unravel its mysteries and to soften its horrors. Not 
 only are they by their faithful efforts striving to ameliorate the 
 condition of our own peojjle, but they are gathering light and 
 compiling valuable data and information to be sent forth for the 
 benefit of the sufferers of other nations. By exchange and 
 comparison of cases and experiments with the other leper 
 alllicted sections of the earth, important and beneficial results 
 are surely, if slowly, bound to ensue. These Islands are watched 
 with a lively interest in this connection, and in this great labor 
 the Kingdom of Hawaii, limited though she is in area, population 
 and wealth, marches nobly and creditably along side by side 
 with the most enlightened and influential nations, ^ly personal 
 observation leads me to believe that we have passed through 
 the worst of this disease, and that there is every reason to ho])e 
 that its virulence is now on the decline, I am led to judge so 
 from the facd that of the total number of cases sent to the Leper 
 Settlement and to the Branch Hospital during my tenure of 
 office, since May 1882, barely three per cent, of the number 
 indicate an origin more recent than within one or two years. 
 
 Let me now pass more directly to the affair on hand. We all 
 appreciate most deeply the injurious effect this malady has had 
 upon this nation. More especially has the condition and the 
 future of the children affected by it touched the hearts and won 
 the sympathy of all feeling people. It was felt by all who have 
 considered the matter to be almost an outrage that young 
 
14 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 children especially girls only suspected .on the ground of 
 heredity of being tainted and yet giving no sign of this disease, 
 hut the rather evidence of being qualified to acquit themselves 
 well in the career of life, should be doomed to lose their 
 opportunities, and be forced to associate with those only 
 in whom the malady had pronounced itself. Consequently 
 the idea of a home for such unfortunates seemed an 
 appropriate suggestion. When spoken of, it at once engaged 
 the warm sympathies and interest of Her Majesty the Queen. 
 Such an establishment seemed to be both feasible and advan- 
 tageous, and I had the honor myself to propose in the Legislative 
 body of 1884 the advisability of founding a refuge to be styled 
 the “ Kapiolani Home,” and to advise a vote for the appropriation 
 of $15,000 for its establishment which was carried, but the 
 amount was not immediately available. — In view of the action of 
 the Legislative body and of the great interest to the people in the 
 establishment of such an institution, it was thought proper to 
 lay the matter before the community to enable the generous and 
 charitable to participate in the benevolent enterprise. A ready 
 response was made characteristic of an ever-generous public, 
 and the liberal sum of $6,575 has been subscribed for the Home 
 by Their Majesties and the foreign residents of Honolulu. With 
 the means in hand I, with the sanction of my colleagues of the 
 Board of Health, was enabled to enter upon the construction of 
 this building in which we are now seated, and which to-day is 
 hereby, by the presence and wish of Their Majesties the King 
 and Queen, to be dedicated to the care and training of young 
 girls not confirmed lepers, but who are suspected of the taint of 
 the disease. Many persons have regretted, and somewhat 
 naturally, that such a home could not have been established in 
 some choicer location, more remote from those who are unhappily 
 suffering under the worst forms of this incurable malady. But 
 under the surrounding circumstances this could not be, however 
 much the fact may be regretted. The Government were well 
 assured that for the proper and beneficial administration of such 
 a home it was neceesary that it should be cared for by women, 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 15 
 
 who, with all the knowledge, and experience and apprehensions 
 connected with such a fearful malady, would be willing to take 
 charge of the home. Ladies of this noble and self-denying 
 type — of whom I have already spoken — were already in charge 
 within these hospital grounds. As with their aid alone it was 
 possible to carry out the idea of such a home, and as their 
 numher was not sufiicient for a division of forces, it was found 
 to be absolutely necessary to place the home here within this 
 enclosure, where it is possible for the Sisters of Charity to give 
 their attention to it along with the care of the other lepers. And 
 here the Home has been erected, and of its details you can 
 judge. The building has been well constructed, and fitted to 
 lodge conveniently, with a view to their health and comfort, 
 about fifty girls. Here, although tabued from the general society 
 of other children, they may enjoy all the advantages that may 
 be obtained by healthy girls in a well ordered boarding school 
 e.stablishment. With my experience of the past two years of 
 the labors of the Sisters in this Hospital, I entertain bright 
 hopes of a result the most satisfactory to the most exacting 
 philanthropist’s mind and desires. 
 
 In the establishing of benevolent institutions for the sick and 
 infirm of all kind, it should be remembered that they are not so' 
 established on the promise or assurance or the belief that the 
 infirm will be cured or restored to society ; but it is ever the 
 hope and the desire of Christian and philanthropic spirits that 
 their condition be ameliorated and human suffering relieved ; 
 and that those who have left their homes and friends under such 
 sad and distressing conditions, and almost weighed down with 
 despair, may with kind and considerate treatment, be led to 
 enjoy life to the extreme degree permitted by their afflictions 
 without the possibility of their being injurious to their fellow 
 beings. Thus, then, we have not founded our Leper Institutions — 
 any more than we have founded this Home — with any assurance 
 of cure and restoration to home and family ; but as we have seen 
 within this Hospital enclosure those who, but a while ago, showed 
 too visible marks of this loathsome disease, and were dragging 
 
<VV^;^VV^;VV^yVV"»^V^^ V ^^^^ VV *■^VV■^>»^<«»»*^/VVVVV ^ V VVV M M ^‘ V » ^ 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 out a most miserable, horrible and gloomy existence under the 
 most unfavorable circumstances, very much improved in per- 
 sonal appearance, and not merely contented, but cheerful, and I 
 might almost say happy — if it were permitted to any in such a 
 condition to be happy — and so we have reason to hope for a 
 greatly improved condition of the girls placed in this Home 
 under the care of the sisters. 
 
 The physicians forbid us to hope for cures here ; but fortunately 
 their adverse opinions do not for one moment deter the faithful 
 workers engaged in their labor of love, inspired by Him who 
 healed the lepers, from pursuing their kindly ministrations, their 
 self-allotted work being largely to serve those who are without 
 hope and without friends. 
 
 My task is ended, but let me add a few' words. Hawaii has 
 taken her stand among the nations. W'e are honored by the 
 Sovereign Powers of the earth. Our size is not regarded so much 
 as our spirit — our spirit of enterprise and justice. We are invited 
 to the councils of nations to consider questions of international 
 interest. We are guided and inspired by a sentiment of 
 national independence in the promotion of all public measures, 
 whether of agriculture, of immigration, or of commerce, and in 
 all our diplomatic relations. And the nations of the earth 
 honor our King and this Kingdom for the attitude we take. 
 But there is one thing in our course and action for wdiich, I 
 appreciate, the enlightened pow'ers and philanthropic thinkers of 
 the world will honor us -beyond anything else, and that wdll be 
 the care and interest we take in sufferers among our people ; and 
 that King Kalakaua and the Government of His Majesty make 
 it a chief feature of their public action and policy to provide for, 
 to comfort and nourish the tabooed outcasts — the hopeless and 
 helpless sick of their country. [Applause.] 
 
 At the conclusion of the speech, which was well received 
 throughout, the native children sang a song, “ Hoe a Mau” 
 (“Pull for the Shore,”) with band accompaniment. The voices 
 of the children were sweet and melodious, and they apparently 
 entered into it with much spirit. 
 
I 
 
 OPENING OF THE HOME. 
 
 17 
 
 FORMAL OPENING OF THE HOME. 
 
 .< 
 
 His Excellency INlr. Gibson then stepped forward and presented ^ 
 
 the keys of the Home, attached to a gold chain and ring, on a 
 crimson velvet cushion, (presented by Mrs. Gulick wife of 
 
 1 
 
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 ) 
 
 7 
 
 i 
 
 t 
 
 f 
 
 r 
 
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 i 
 
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 s 
 
 \ 
 
 7 
 
 
18 
 
 OPENING OF THE HOME. 
 
 A collation was spread in the refectory, and done full justice 
 to by the company ; after which the Band and the Queen’s Own 
 participated. The inmates of the Branch Hospital had a treat 
 provided for them in their own quarters afterwards. The Royal 
 anthem was played on the departure of the Royal party. At 
 the request of His Excellency Mr. Gibson, the Queen’s Own 
 gave an exhibition drill before the inmates of the Hospital^ 
 who were delighted with it. 
 
 Thus terminated an event that should be memorable in 
 Hawaiian annals for all time. 
 
SETTLEMENT, 
 
 ON THE ISLAND OF MOLOKAI. 
 
 VISIT OK HIS EXCKLIvENCY 
 
 Walter M. Gibson, 
 
 f 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH. 
 
 NOVEMBER 2, 1885. 
 
TThk Lbper Sbtxlkmbnt 
 
 f Revised Report of the P. C. Advertiser. ) 
 
 ’r. Gibson, the Premier, in the exercise of his duties as 
 President of the Board of Health, paid a visit to the 
 Leper Settlement on Molokai. In company with Mr. Fred. H. 
 Hayselden, Secretary of the Board ; Mr. R. J. Creighton, Editor 
 P. C. Advertiser ; Mr. J. Thompson, Capt. "Wm. H. Tell and 
 ]\lr. H. Dole, of the Honolulu Police Force, he embarked on the 
 Government tug Eleu, at 5 a. m. on Monday, Nov. 2, 1885, and 
 arrived at Kalaupapa, the landing of the Settlement, after a run 
 of ten hours and thirty minutes. 
 
 Arrived off the landing at Kalaupapa, a remarkable and 
 interesting scene presents itself. A tongue or point of low land 
 runs out seaward from the precipitous cliffs or palis which 
 continue in a straight line until they touch the sea again at 
 Kalawao, three miles distant. On the sheltered slope fronting 
 the landing is seen what appears to be a neat and pleasant 
 village, the frame cottages, scrupulously white, surrounded by 
 fences, with more or less attempt at cultivation inside the 
 enclosures. The spires of at least two churches were ^^sible ; a 
 store-house at the landing, and a bell tower and band-stand also 
 
LEPER SETTLEMENT. 
 
 21 
 
 close by, did not suggest the idea of a leper settlement, but 
 rather a prosperous and happy seaside community. The 
 appearance of a steamer in the offing at an unlooked for time 
 was evidently an event of some importance, as the inhabitants — 
 men, women and children — were seen trooping down to the 
 landing, or selecting places where they could observe what was 
 going on. Presently a man came off in an outrigger canoe, and 
 having ascertained who were on board the steamer, paddled 
 ashore and spread the news. Upon His Excellency jMr. Gibson 
 stepping ashore, he was surrounded by an eager crowd of native 
 Hawaiians, who manifested in a variety of ways their gladness 
 and satisfaction at his visit. Three rousing cheers were given; 
 and His Excellency was escorted by his demonstrative guard 
 to a spacious storeroom, where he was received by the Deputy 
 Superintendent or luna, Ambrose Hutchison, a half-white in- 
 mate of the Settlement. Soon after Dr. Mouritz, M. R. C. S., Eng., 
 resident physician, and the Rev. Father Damien, of the Mission 
 of the Sacred Hear?, rode over from Kalawao, where they reside; 
 and mounted men and women were seen hastening toward the 
 landing. They were all well dressed and appeared to be con- 
 tent, and to want for none of the comforts of life. 
 
 Mr. Gibson Addresses the People. 
 
 A general desire having been expressed that the President of 
 the Board of Health should address the people, who had 
 assembled in large numbers around the store. His Excellency 
 proceeded to do so from the steps of that building. The people 
 sat down in rows upon the grass, and presented a very cleanly 
 appearance. A majority of those present certainly showed 
 visible marks of the terrible disease with which they are afflicted ; 
 but not a few were without spot or blemish. Indeed, there are 
 several children, as well as many adults, at Kalmipapa who are 
 not lepers. About forty residents on Kuleanas, original landowners, 
 whose claims the Government has not yet bought out, reside on 
 their land, and they are not generally afflicted with leprosy. 
 
22 
 
 LEPER SETTLEMENT. 
 
 
 Added to these are the Kokuas, (helpers) or those who volunta- 
 rily reside at the Settlement to attend to leper relatives, although 
 themselves free from disease. This accounts for the apparent 
 healthfulness of quite a number of those who sat facing the 
 Prime Minister as he stood up to address them. 
 
 His Excellency reminded them of his visit seven years ago, 
 remarking that probably there were not many present now who 
 met him upon that occasion. He had contemplated a special 
 visit, in company with Sisters of Charity, for which arrangements 
 had been made. This had been postponed, and now he had 
 come alone on short notice, in consequence of a sad event that 
 had taken place among them. This had awakened serious 
 apprehensions and anxiety in the minds of the King and his 
 Government ; but he was happy to learn from the evidence be- 
 fore him that however sad this particular event might be, 
 nothing in their conduct indicated that there was in the slightest 
 degree any spirit of lawlessness in the Settlement. He saw before 
 him a cheerful and law-abiding people, though suffering under a 
 very heav}'’ malady. There were many matters he wished to 
 inquire into to satisfy his own mind and the minds of his 
 colleagues in the Government, that the Settlement was properly 
 managed, and during his short stay he would be glad to meet 
 with them again, and learn fully from them all that might require 
 his attention and possibly need correction. 
 
 At the close of His Excellency’s remarks an old leper said in 
 substance : “ I remember perfectly well when the Prime Minister 
 came here as a legislator in 1878. Then our living was not very 
 good. We had no lights ; we had no ration of soap, and other 
 things were deficient. Afterwards kerosene and soap were sup- 
 plied to us, and we had an increase in the ration of beef.” This 
 remark had reference to the visit of a Legislative Committee, of 
 which Mr. Gibson was Chairman. The Committee chartered a 
 special steamer and nine of its number visited the Leper 
 Settlement. As a consequence of the report presented by the 
 Chairman of this committee, the changes mentioned by the old 
 leper were brought about. Thus there was a very substantial 
 
 
LEPER SETTLEMENT. 
 
 23 
 
 reason why old residents at the Settlement should remember the 
 former visit of Mr. Gibson. 
 
 Then followed a cordial greeting and an anxiety to shake the 
 Minister by the hand, while he evidently did not avoid their 
 touch. Indeed, with all present His Excellency’s visit seemed 
 to awaken feelings of the liveliest satisfaction. 
 
 After looking at the neat cottages, churches and school house 
 near the landing, and holding an informal conversation with the 
 people, many of whom still lingered around, horses and vehicles 
 were procured and the visitors proceeded to Kalawao to spend 
 the night, where His Excellency and party were hospitably en- 
 tertained by Dr. and Mrs. Mouritz. 
 
 Inspection of Kal.\wao. 
 
 On the morning of the 3d an early start was made, and the 
 serious business of the day began at Kalawao. His Excellency 
 visited all the Government buildings, and inspected the stores, 
 hospital, dispensary, etc., most thoroughly, inquiring minutely 
 into the details of management, and asking the people whether 
 they had any complaints or suggestions to make. A more com- 
 plete investigation it would hardly he possible to make during 
 the time at His Excellency’s disposal, and it possessed the 
 further merit of disclosing most fully the normal condition of 
 affairs at the Settlement. There was no opportunity to prepare 
 for the visit, which was wholly unexpected — a surprise, in fact, 
 to officers and inmates as well. For this reason, the result was 
 all the more satisfactory, giving complete assurance of careful 
 and efficient administration in every department. 
 
 The Hospital 
 
 Was the first place visited. It consists of fourteen detached 
 cottages and buildings in a grass enclosure, in which the worst 
 cases of leprosy are lodged and cared for. Several are in very 
 advanced stages of the disease, but there was no offensive smell 
 
 t 
 
24 
 
 LEPER SETTLEMENT. 
 
 
 about the apartments occupied b}' them, which were scrupu- 
 lously clean and well ventilated. Their cots and beds were 
 neatly made up, although the hour was early, and the orderly 
 arrangement of everything about the dormitories would do credit 
 to a City Hosjutal. There are fifty inmates of the Leper Hos- 
 pital at Kalawao, of whom eight are females. The w'omen were 
 all seated beside their beds, which, as a matter ot preference to 
 them, were neatly spread upon the floor. The men were all 
 provided with cots, and in one apartment the inmates, on being 
 asked if they wanted for anything, expressed a wish for iron 
 bedsteads instead of the old wooden cots used by them, which 
 harbored vermin. At another cottage, occupied by men in an 
 advanced stage of leprosy, the only request preferred was the 
 simple one that a veranda be erected, upon which they may sit 
 in the shade and enjoy the glorious sunlight. This request, 
 from men who are slowly rotting to their graves, was a touching 
 one. It showed that their love of life had not been quenched, 
 and that although their bodies were decaying by inches, they 
 still had a lingering affection for the beauties of Nature, upon 
 which they are themselves so foul a blot. There were nine of 
 these unfortunates in this cottage. Close by, in a small cottage, 
 sat an old man and his wife, crooning together near the door, 
 and greeting with lugubrious “Alohas ” the visiting strangers. 
 It was a sad and pitiful sight, this picture of conjugal affection 
 within the wards of a leper hospital. Death would have been 
 a happy release for them ; but these aged people did not appar- 
 ently want to die. They looked contented, clothed with sores 
 and permeated by rottenness, and the only request they had to 
 make was that their cottage roof might be patched in places, 
 the late wind storm having displaced some of the shingles. 
 Their modest request will be complied with, and they will at 
 least spend the heavy burden of their days in a well roofed cot- 
 tage. And here, by the way, it may be remarked that the storm 
 referred to compelled the Board of Health to use 40,000 shingles 
 in repairing the roofs of cottages and buildings in the Settle- 
 ment owned by the Government. 
 
LEPER SETTLEMENT. 
 
 25 
 
 The Kitchen and Yard. 
 
 The kitchen within the Hospital enclosure is clean and neat 
 in its appointments. There is a large army cooking range in 
 use, and other necessary appliances are provided. The food for 
 Hospital inmates and attendants only is cooked here. The fuel 
 is bought at $2.50 per cord, of kukui wood. It is procured in 
 the gulches, cut and delivered at the Hospital for that price. 
 The outside residents of the Settlement provide their own fuel, 
 but they use very little, making a fire not more than once a 
 week or so to cook their beef or rice ration. 
 
 The poi house was next visited. It is within the Hospital 
 enclosure also, and was clean and sweet smelling, and the stores 
 of paiai, or pounded taro, done up in 25-pound bundles, from 
 which the poi is prepared, were sweet smelling also. 
 
 The Hospital yard is well grassed, and an attempt is made to 
 cultivate flowers. Sweet scented honeysuckle climbs up the 
 porch of one of the cottages, while a few banana and a great 
 many papaia trees are growing, their fruit being greatly relished 
 by the unfortunate people. It is not like an abode of desolation 
 and despair, purified as it is by the health-giving ocean breeze 
 that ever blows, nestling in the shadow of the everlasting hills, 
 and surrounded by fragrant blossoms of fruit and fiower. Cross- 
 ing the Hospital yard, such of the inmates as were able to leave 
 their apartments were standing or sitting in the sunshine, and 
 looked pictures of doleful content, if one may use such a phrase 
 with propriety, hut it is precisely the one which appears to apply 
 to their case. 
 
 The Store and Dispensary. 
 
 Across the road from the Hospital is the market or general 
 store, managed on account of the Board of Health by a white 
 leper. It was well patronized apparently by the residents W'ho were 
 inside and outside in considerable numbers, arguing a gratifying 
 activity of business. The profits from the goods go back into the 
 store, which is a great convenience to the residents at Kalawao. 
 The people at Kalaupapa, the steamboat landing, may obtain 
 
I their supplies at the point from an indej)endent store, but some 
 I of them send direct to Honolulu. If absolute segregation could 
 I be effected, the Government market store would be the only 
 t place where extras could be purchased. This is hardly possible, 
 I however, while Kokuas or helpers are permitted to reside any- 
 f Avhere at the Settlement. 
 
 ? The Dispensary is situate in a detached cottage outside the 
 > Hospital grounds. It is here that Dr. Mouritz dispenses medi- 
 
 I cines to the lepers, who, however, as a rule, do not obey instruc- 
 y tion. In short, they are a very difficult people to manage, and 
 I cannot be compelled to attend to sanitation unless they become 
 I inmates of the Hospital, and then they are too far advanced 
 I with disease to admit of any great amelioration of their condi- 
 I tion by medical treatment. In the earlier stages of the disease 
 I much may be accomplished in this way ; but in nearly every 
 I case the native Hawaiian has more faith in his own kahunas 
 I (native doctors and sorcerers) than in the scientific treatment 
 I of a medical man. 
 
 I The Water Supply and Condition of the Hospital. 
 
 I The water supply is obtained from a gulch at the eastern 
 I termination of the tongue of land upon which the settlement 
 I is located. A dam has been built and pipes laid to a reservoir. 
 I It is thought that the supply may be considerably increased at 
 I a comparatively moderate expenditure. 
 
 I The condition of the Hospital, as has been shown, is now 
 I satisfactory. In 1878, on the occasion of the visit of the Legis- 
 I lative Committee, of which Mr. Gibson was Chairman, and at 
 whose instigation that official visitation was made, its condition 
 i was very offensive. The buildings and general arrangements 
 1 were very bad, the poor people being in a deplorably neglected 
 i condition. From that time dates the improvement of the Hos- 
 I pital and of the Settlement generally, and it has gone on until 
 I both have reached their present very high state of excellency. 
 I During the past three years the Leper Settlement on Molokai 
 I has been under the control of Mr. Gibson, as President of the 
 
LEPER SETTLEMENT. 
 
 27 
 
 
 Board of Health, and he has given unwearied attention to the de- 
 tails of its management, as well as to those at the Branch Hos- 
 pital at Kakaako. 
 
 Father Damien’s Mission. 
 
 Leaving the Hospital and store at Kalawao His Excellency 
 proceeded towards the cliffs that lie eastward of the Settlement 
 to get a view of the source of water supply. The road passed 
 through what was the original leper colony of Kalawao, close 
 to a little bay at which there is an easy Winter landing, and 
 where fish may be caught. Frame houses are numerous on 
 either side, some of them being surrounded by flowers and 
 shrubs within the enclosures, while here and there were banana 
 and papaia trees, the latter in full bearing, while the former did 
 not look so thrifty. He was accompanied by Father Damien, 
 who pointed out with laudable pride his own residence and ad- 
 joining church together with the boys’ school or home which he 
 has established close by. The boys appeared to enjoy themsel- 
 ves, and certainly manifested affection towards their teacher 
 and friend. The effect of leprosy upon the young is more re- 
 markable by far than upon peoj)le of mature years. It gives 
 them a prematurely aged and elfish-like expression when the 
 disease affects the head and face. Several of them were in an 
 advanced stage of the disease. There are thirty boys in the 
 Home established by Father Damien, where their food is cooked. 
 Here they live under his direct care and influence. Close by is 
 the Calvinist Church, recently built ; but there was no sign of 
 life or work around or about it. The Church of the Sacred Heart 
 Mission, however, was surrounded by flowers, and had as appan- 
 ages thereto the Boys’ Home and Father Damien’s hospitable 
 residence. A little farther on goin^ eastward towards the bluff 
 is the Girls’ Home, founded by Father Damien, and under the 
 charge of a married couple, also lepers. The poor children, of 
 whom there are twelve, ran indoors at the approach of strangers, 
 and speedily robed themselves in their best dresses. Their 
 hopeless affliction had not robbed them of this feminine trait. 
 
28 
 
 LEPER SETTLEMENT. 
 
 but several of them bent their heads and liid their faces in their 
 hands to hide their distorted and unnatural features. Surely 
 this is a terrible blight not only upon individuals but on a race ; 
 and too much cannot be said in praise of the intelligent foresight 
 of their Majesties the King and Queen, the Ministry of the da}', 
 and the Legislature for founding Kapiolani Home, in which fe- 
 male children of leper parents may have a chance to escape the 
 curse which has blighted so many of their blood and sex. 
 
 In this connection it may be added that Father Damien has 
 a spacious and really tastefully decorated church at Kalaupapa, 
 where he conducts religious service every Sunday morning, hav- 
 ing previously conducted Divine service in the church at Kala- 
 w'ao. He has also a cottage at Kalaupapa, where there is a 
 school. Father Damien landed at the Kalawao leper colony in 
 1873, where he found 800 unfortunates huddled together in grass 
 huts, living in the most abject misery. The condition of things 
 may be inferred from the fact that he found hogs devouring the 
 dead body of a leper that had been placed in a shallow' grave 
 without a coffin. He set strenuously to work among this w'retched 
 people, and the result is the flourishing mission of to-day, built 
 up at the sacrifice of his own personal comfort and happiness, 
 surrounded only by the sickening and repulsive objects of his 
 solicitude. 
 
 “ There are at least a thousand carcasses lying there,” he said, 
 as he pointed to the old Kalaw'ao burial enclosure. “ The con- 
 dition of these people is happy now' comjjared to w'hat it w'as in 
 the past.” 
 
 Mr. Gib.son’s Address at Kalawao. 
 
 On the return of His Excellency to Kalaw'ao, the people as- 
 sembled in front of the Hospital, from the veranda of the main 
 building of which he addressed them substantially as follows : 
 After reminding them of his former visit he exjDressed the sat- 
 isfaction he felt in observing such a cheerful and contented 
 spirit. Their condition was the object of the special solicitude 
 of the King and his Ministry. Whilst they might be occupied 
 with important questions of state, w'ith the development of im- 
 
LEPER SETTLEMENT. 
 
 29 
 
 migration, commerce and agriculture, yet the condition of the 
 unfortunates at this Settlement and Ivakaako was ever a primary 
 consideration in their minds. They had done the best they 
 could with the means at their command to provide for them a 
 sufficient living, and he was happy to see, on looking around at 
 the neat looking dwellings, and at their own contented look, 
 notwithstanding their great misfortune, that the provision which, 
 had been made for them rendered their condition as comfortable 
 as possible. He had hastened here on account of the sad event 
 that had recently taken place. They were all saddened in Ho- 
 nolulu and fearful that there was a spirit of lawlessness existing 
 here, at least to some ektent. Now, he was satisfied after in- 
 quiry, after listening to the story of many, after listening to 
 their hearty alohas, after looking at their good-natured faces, 
 that His Majesty had no better disposed subjects to abide by 
 the law of this Kingdom than themselves ; and for that reason, 
 as well as for their special misfortunes, they were deserving of 
 special care and consideration by the Government. He would 
 say in connection with that event that it was never intended 
 that any of their children should be taken away from the Settle- 
 ment without the full consent of the parents. The officers were 
 so instructed by the Secretary of the Board of Health, and they 
 must have so understood it, because two of the parents of the 
 children went with them and were perfectly content with the 
 excellent prospects for their children at Kapiolani Home. They 
 had told him that when they returned to Kalawao they 
 would be glad to tell them all of the good condition of things 
 prepared by the Government, so that they might feel well content 
 if any of their children should be removed to Kapiolani Horae. 
 
 There was then a general murmur of satisfaction, and many 
 remarks made substantially as follows : “ We feel assured that 
 
 arrangements have been made for the good of our children, and 
 we are sorry that any one of us should have misunderstood what 
 
 Reply from the Inmates. 
 
LEPER PE'fTLEMENT. 
 
 was proposed, or tliat there should have been any misapprehen- 
 sion about it. Our hearts’ are sad at what has been done.” 
 
 Mr. Gibson then invited some of the leading natives to state to 
 him anything that was deserving of his' consideration, and also 
 to state to him any ground of complaint they had to make on 
 account of any matter or thing at the Hettlement. There being 
 no complaint made. Father Damien, raising his voice, asked 
 them to particularize : Was their poi or beef insufficient, and 
 good or bad? What liad they to say about their treatment by 
 the officers? Let them make their complaint now ; there was no 
 restraint and no one to prevent them. Still no complaint was 
 made. Everything was perfectly satisfactory to them, only one 
 or two asked to be permitted to have an occasional change of 
 rations, and something was said about the slaughterhouse, which 
 Mr. Gibson promised to have attended to. 
 
 Address and Leave-taking at Kalaupapa. 
 
 This terminated the investigation at Kalawao, and His Ex- 
 cellency and party drove away from the Settlement amid cheers 
 and alohas, crossing the low ridge of land dividing the communities 
 and descending the western slope to Kalaupapa, where the 
 people were summoned, by ringing the Church bell, to listen to 
 the parting words of the Premier. This was the largest gather- 
 ing yet assembled, and it presented a much more animated 
 appearance than that at Kalawao. The grass plot in front of 
 Father Damien’s cottage was filled with people who squatted 
 upon the ground. 
 
 The Prime IMinister spoke from the veranda. He referred to 
 the estahlishment of the Kapiolani Home, and pointed out the 
 necessity for such an institution. He said : A home was wanted 
 especially for girls of the native race, who, being suspected of 
 this disease, are not permitted to attend any schools, and suffer 
 from the stigma in society. It was felt that your children who 
 had contracted the disease, or who were barely suspected of being 
 so afflicted, might have their condition greatly ameliorated and 
 their lives brightened by special care and treatment, especiall}' 
 at the hands of the devoted Sisters of Charity, who came from 
 
 i 
 
LEPER SEtTLEMENT. 
 
 31 
 
 America, inspired by their faith and love of good to give their 
 lives for the hope of ameliorating your condition and especially 
 that of your children. >Vith that end in view it was deemed 
 essential and proper to establish a Home which would provide a 
 decent shelter for your female children especially, where they 
 could be educated and kindly treated, and where they would 
 live comfortable and contented lives, which would otherwise be 
 denied to them if they were cast adrift with all the odium of 
 this disease attached to them. Now, whilst we are doing our 
 best for your children we also feel that you are not to be neg- 
 lected. We have sought medical aid in all parts of the world 
 for the treatment of this disease. We have received the assist- 
 ance of a man of science from Europe to study it. We have 
 engaged the services of an able and faithful medical man. Dr. 
 Mouritz to remain with you here, and in our endeavors to render 
 you every assistance we have recently engaged the services of a 
 physician from Japan, who is said to have special skill in the 
 treatment of this disease, in the hope that if we cannot ulti- 
 mately eradicate it we may at least make your lives more en- 
 joyable. 
 
 Mr. Gibson then asked those present to state fully to him any 
 grievance they might have which, in their condition, it would be 
 reasonable to entertain. Three or four spoke in reply and said 
 that they had no complaint to make about food or clothing, but 
 complained of the abrupt conduct of the Assistant Superintendent. 
 They did not, however, accuse him of any injustice toward them. 
 
 Mr. Gibson said in reply that the matter spoken of would be 
 brought before tbe Board of Health and fully considered. Any 
 reasonable grievance would be removed. 
 
 This appeared to give the large concourse of people entire sat- 
 isfaction, and the time for departure haHng come, it was with 
 difficulty that His Excellency made his way through the good- 
 natured crowd which gathered around him, and by handshaking 
 and alohas manifested their regard and good will. The landing 
 was crowded, and hearty cheers were given as the boat contain- 
 ing the Prime Minister and his party proceeded to the Eleu, 
 which had steam up waiting to depart. 
 
 
 ] 
 

 
 *1 
 
 MOLOKAI. 
 
 Description of the Leper Colony 
 
 ON THIS ISLAND. 
 
 Social Condition of the Leper s-— Their Mode 
 of Living, Rations, Ete.--- Contagious 
 or Mon- contagious— - Conclusion. 
 
 By ROBERT J. CREIGHTON, Esq,, 
 EDITOR P. C. ADVERTISER, 
 
 . HONOLULU. 
 
 
MOLOKAI. 
 
 « 
 
 The Island of Molokai is the fifth largest of the Hawaiian 
 Group and contains 200,000 acres. The northerly coast line is 
 very bold, precipitous cliffs or palis coming down to the water’s 
 edge except about midway between the eastern and western 
 points, where an irregular tongue of land projects from the cliffs, 
 enclosing about six thousand acres. There is evidence in the 
 general configuration of this piece of land, and in its formation 
 
 ) 
 
 s 
 
 y 
 
 a 
 
 s 
 
 r 
 
 r 
 
 e 
 
 e 
 
 e 
 
 i 
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE LEPER COLONY. 
 
 35 
 
 
 ejected from it, into two divisions, the eastern slope giving its 
 name to the entire district, while the western slope is called after 
 the steamer landing, Kalaupapa. Of course both are ancient 
 Hawaiian names ; hut Kalawao was the name of the district, 
 Kalaupapa being a local name. The soil is very fertile. It was 
 originally overlaid with scoria boulders. Underneath this soil, 
 which is simply volcanic ashes and decomposed lava, lies a bed 
 of hard volcanic rock that crops out occasionally, and forms a 
 solid barrier against the sea along its northerly and easterly 
 aspects at least one hundred feet high. There is access to the 
 beach at the extreme eastern point of Kalaw’ao, where it joins 
 the ancient shore line, and at Kalaupapa which, being more 
 sheltered from the sea and wind, does not need such an effective 
 natural breakwater. But except at the points ruimed the 
 peninsular of Kalawao stands full a hundred feet above the ocean 
 along its shore line. The shelter and protection it gives to the 
 main land along its entire breadth is evidenced by the luxuriant 
 vegetation on the face of the palis hack of it and in the gulches, 
 where oranges and figs grow to perfection, as well as valuable 
 timber trees. But for its ameliorating influence the palis in the 
 rear of Kalawao peninsular would be as bare and weatherbeaten 
 as those on either side of it. 
 
 K.\l.\wao. 
 
 Kalawao was an old ahupuaa, or district of land, belonging to 
 the ancient chiefs of Molokai, and as its name implies — “hog” 
 and “ dress” — was probably held subject to a yearly tribute to 
 the superior chief of a lard hog and a robe. It was evidently 
 the seat of a dense jjopulation, and the old natives speak of it 
 as being famous for its production of sweet potatoes and hogs. 
 Indeed, there is no doubt whatever that it could supply the 
 entire population of these Islands to-day with these food com- 
 modities were it applied to that use. It is heavily grassed with 
 Bermuda or manienie grass, and could easily carry 10,000 sheep. 
 The ancient population have left traces of their occupation in 
 numerous stone walls, stone fences and break-winds ; there being 
 
36 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF THE LEPER COLONY. 
 
 certainly not less than from thirty to forty miles of such fences. 
 Every little holding or kuleana was securely fenced off with 
 stones gathered from the surface of the ground. Where the ex- 
 posure is open to the strong trade wind, miles upon miles of low 
 parallel stone windrows extend across the land about four feet 
 apart, to shelter the sweet potato plants ; and so dense was the 
 population and so precious appears to have been the land, that 
 little clearances, about a yard si]_uare, are carried along the rocky 
 sides of the crater of Kahukoo to its very summit. Yet this busy, 
 industrial population has disappeared. About forty of the 
 ancient landholders remain and wage perpetual lingual war with 
 lepers and Kokuas about metes and bounds, and that is all there 
 is to show for them except the stone walls and windbreaks. It 
 is a sad comment upon the past, and points a moral which intelli- 
 gent readers will not fail to draw for themselves. 
 
 The crater of Kahukoo has a subterranean vent connected in 
 some Avay with the sea, because the water which is always in its 
 bottom is slightly brackish and is evidently influenced by the 
 action of the tides. The settlement at Kalaupapa obtains water 
 from wells, while that at Kalawao has water brought from a gulch 
 in pipes. Close by this source of water supply is excellent taro 
 land, hut it is unused as the lepers could not cultivate taro, and 
 it would not be expedient to permit Chinese or others to do so 
 under existing conditions. 
 
 Social Condition of the Lepers. 
 
 The Leper Colony at Kalawao, using this name for the entire 
 district, is in many respects unique. Cut off by nature from the 
 outside world, the condition of the lepers has been made as 
 favorable as circumstances possibly admit. They are well housed, 
 comfortably clothed, and provided with abundance of wholesome 
 food, medicines and medical attendance. Although isolated, 
 they are recognized by the Government and society at large in 
 the Hawaiian Kingdom as wards of the Nation, whose misfortune 
 entitles them to greater consideration and kindness than is ac- 
 corded to less afflicted persons. By the nature of their malady 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE LEPER COLONY. 
 
 37 
 
 they become outcasts from society ; hut to the infinite credit of 
 the Hawaiian Kingdom, be it said, they are not neglected on 
 that account in the slightest particular. By tacit consent it is 
 assumed that the lepers on the Molokai reservation and at 
 Kakaako Branch Hospital have lost their civil rights, but 
 statutes nowhere declare it, and it is doubtful whether any C 
 in the Kingdom would sustain this “ unwritten law.” Nevei 
 less, the point is not at all likely to arise, as the lepers do 
 apparently concern themselves with public affairs, being wl 
 engrossed with their own bodily ailments and requirements 
 As has been already stated, there are about forty indivi 
 holdings on Kalawao outside the Government reservation. T 
 will in time he bought by the Government, thereby extingi 
 ing all independent title. The lepers are free tenants on 
 Government land. They have no rent or taxes to pay, and 
 enclose and cultivate a patch of land at j)leasure. Many oft 
 do so, and little colonies of them are formed who squat an 
 the sheltered rocky land some distance from the villages 
 plant and cultivate sweet potatoes for their own use. A sui 
 might very easily he raised, but prejudice among people on 
 outside would deny them a market. What is done is then 
 on a limited scale. 
 
 The Government provides the lepers a liberal ration, consif 
 of twenty-one pounds of ])oi, or of rice and poi, with seven poi 
 of beef, and occasionally mutton. Although the wholesc 
 meat of the two, the lepers as a rule prefer beef to mutton. Sal 
 
 IS nlsn SPTVPrl mif ns nn nr*r»nsmnnl rnfinn in linn nf Koof nr i 
 
 How THE Lepers Live. 
 
38 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF THE LEPER COLONY. 
 
 ! 
 
 also a supply of clothing eqivalent to a couple of blankets and 
 two suits given to each individual. This ration is drawn by 
 young and old alike. Those who have the means or whose friends 
 take an interest in them, erect comfortable frame houses for them- 
 selves, and upon their death the house is sold for account of 
 their heirs to some other resident, or is bought by the Board of 
 Health and used for housing those who are without money or 
 friends. The Government seesihat all are provided with com- 
 fortable homes. Those living outside the Hospital do their own 
 cooking and washing ; the fifty inmates of the Hospital are 
 attended to by paid help. 
 
 Taking a rough estimate there are between 300 and 400 frame 
 buildings in the Settlement, which is divided into two commu- 
 nities, the more numerous and more active living at or near the 
 steamer landing at Kalaupapa. There is a “live public opinion” 
 at Kalaupapa, which does not exist in such marked degree at 
 Kalawao, where the people are more subdued in manner and 
 tone. Frequent intercourse from without may account for this 
 in jiart at the former place, but it is also largely owing to the 
 presence there of a rather numerous class of people who are not* 
 lejiers. There may be in the Settlement about 150 of this class, 
 some of whom are there to attend upon their friends, some own 
 land, others are merely visitors, and others again are employed 
 by the Board of Health. Of the former, or Kokuas, there are 
 ten on the lej^er roll from charity, thus enabling them to draw 
 rations. 
 
 There is a Catholic and a Calvinistic Church building at 
 Kalaupapa. and similarly also a Calvinistic and a Catholic 
 Church at Kalawao. The Rev. Father Damien ministers in the 
 Catholic Churches, while a native preacher conducts divine 
 service in the Protestant Churches. The Catholic mission, is 
 however, by far the more active. 
 
 The working staff of the Leper Settlement is well organized. 
 The Hospital management, under Dr. Arthur IMouritz, is simply 
 as perfect as it can be made with the appliances at command, 
 and the Government and residents of the Leper Settlement are 
 
f 
 
 DESCRIPSION OF THE LEPER COLONY. 39 I 
 
 to be congratulated upon securing the services of so efficient and | 
 painstaking a physician. A great deal depends upon the i 
 character and methods of the medical officer in charge of such | 
 an institution, and judging from results Dr. Mouritz is just the | 
 man for the place. lie married at the time of his taking charge | 
 of the Settlement, a brave and excellent English lady, who shares | 
 with him his risks and his duties. He has been in charge for | 
 twelve months, and has certainly accomplished a great deal in I 
 that short space of time. A firm hand is needed in the medical i 
 control and management of this people. < 
 
 Opening and Growth of the Settlement. | 
 
 The books at the Hospital show that the Leper Settlement | 
 was opened January (5, 1866, although it is common for writers | 
 to make it a year earlier. Through the courtesy of Dr. Mouritz, ? 
 and by his kind assistance, an examination of the books of the J 
 Hospital was made, and tlie history of the establishment, as | 
 written in the records, ascertained with sufficient accuracy for 1 
 ^all ])ractical purposes. The first year opened with 141 lepers in i 
 the colony, of whom 103 were males and 38 females. The mortality | 
 for the year was 26. One man died at sea during transportation i 
 to the reservation, and ten were discharged. This is the record \ 
 for 1866. Up to November 1, 188/^, there were admitted 3,101 I 
 lepers, of whom 1,985 were males and 1,116 females. The record t 
 of deaths and discharged for 1878 being incomplete, it is im- I 
 possible to give the exact totals under these heads. It is safe, < 
 however, to say that alj the lepers admitted up to 1868 are dead, | 
 and that nearly all up to 1870 have also passed away. On the 5 
 1st of January, 1885, there were 717 persons on the leper roll at 5 
 Kalawao. The largest muster roll from the foundation of the < 
 settlement was on August 19, 1884, at which date it stood at 841, < 
 
 comprising 512 males and 329 females. This was during the | 
 present Administratian, and is a sufficient reply to the charge | 
 that there has been neglect in segregating lepers. The second 5 
 largest number was on September 4, 1873, the year Father Damien i 
 arrived, when 809 inmates were recorded. With the largest < 
 
 
 
40 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF THE LEPER COLONY. 
 
 number of inmates to provide for, that the records of the Leper 
 Colony show, the present Board of Health has reduced the ad- 
 ministration of affairs there to a system far more effective, satis- 
 factory and humane than was ever before attained. This fact 
 should stand upon record in the face of the world to their lasting 
 honor and credit. The biennial appropriation for the Leper 
 Settlements is $100,000, and the money has been judiciously 
 spent. Had it been otherwise Kalawao and Kalaupapa villages 
 would have presented a very different appearance. 
 
 Contagious or Non-contagious. 
 
 It is not perhaps within the scope of this article to discuss the 
 etiology of leprosy, but inasmuch as this scourge is the one blot 
 upon the country, it is proper to state some observations made 
 by the writer. There are unquestionable evidences in support of 
 the contagiousness of leprosy. In each case, however, the disease 
 has been very slowly developed. Father Damien, who has been 
 a close observer for twelve years, is convinced that the disease 
 is contagious. Dr. Mouritz is of a similar opinion, contrary to 
 the teaching of the Royal College of Physicians of England, oil 
 which scientific and learned body he is a member, his mind 
 having been made up from tracing the spread of the disease 
 abroad as well as by close observation and investigation at 
 Kalawao. The manner in which contagion is communicated is, 
 however, a m}"stery — that is, it cannot be as accurately determined 
 as in acute contagious diseases ; but when the blood becomes 
 poisoned by the virus, whether by inhalation or actual contact, 
 its development, although slow, is as certain and inexorable as 
 death itself. But there is nothing whatever in the contagiousness 
 of the disease, so far as it is known, to create general alarm. It 
 is not communicated by casual contact like small-pox, measles 
 or fever. There is no chance of contracting it in the open air, or 
 in street contact, in steamboats or in vehicles of transportation. 
 Furthermore, some persons are more predisposed to it than others, 
 and persons in a low condition of health are always more liable 
 to contagion than persons in robust health. With ordinary 
 care and cleanliness the chance of leprous contamination of the 
 

 DESCRIPTION OF THE LEPER COLONY. 
 
 41 
 
 general public is so slight as not to give greater concern than to 
 induce caution. Consumption and cancers are contagious in 
 perhaps greater degree than leprosy ; but their ravages do not 
 disgust the mind through the eye as leprosy does. For this 
 reason the consumptive and the cancerous are not segregated, 
 although if they were in all countries the fatal ravages of these 
 diseases would soon he arrested, and the average health and 
 longevity of mankind be greatly increased. But leprosy, being 
 a repulsive disease, suggests, as a precautionary measure, the 
 complete isolation of the afflicted. This is a very difflcult thing 
 to do, and it is greatly to the credit of the present and previous 
 Governments since 1800 that so much has been accomplished in 
 that direction. This duty, at all times difficult and unpleasant, 
 will be rendered still more so if the idea should be spread abroad, 
 as is being attempted through a medical journal puhlished in 
 California and in part reprinted here, that leprosy is non-con- 
 tagious. If non-contagious, tlie compulsory segregation of lepers 
 is an outrage which should not be tolerated. But the evidence 
 is cumulative and conclusive that it is contagious, at least in 
 these Islands, where a tierce form of leprosy prevails ; and there- 
 fore it is the duty of all good citizens to lend their moral support 
 to the Government in e.xecuting a law of public safety which, in 
 its essence, imj)Oses penalties upon individuals because of an 
 inlliction of nature, often induced by the noblest acts of self- 
 sacrifice and love of kin and blood. The natives have no fear 
 of the disease, yet they believ’e it communicable one to the other. 
 The negative evidence adduced in the report of the Royal College 
 of Physicians, for the purpose of sustaining the theory of non- 
 contagion, is dissipated by positive evidence, which the history 
 of several cases at the Leper Settlement furnishes. For example, 
 Iloponi, who was declared a leper a few months ago, lived 
 twenty-seven years with his wife, during twenty-five of which 
 she has been a leper, and during the past five years both have 
 resided at the Kalawao Settlement. Xow% this is a case in w’hich 
 the disease was contracted precisely as cancer or consumption 
 may be contracted, only its development w'as much slower. He 
 is still a strong man. If he had been a weak one the disease 
 
* 
 
 >WV>^W' 
 
 I 42 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF THE LEPER COLONY. 
 
 Avould probably have shown itself many years ago. Long con- 
 tact with the disease induced it in his case. An eminent 
 English physician says : “ That though leprosy is not contagious 
 in the ordinary sense of the word, it is nevertheless propagated 
 by inhalations of the excretions of those affected, much in the 
 same way, but not in the same degree, as typhoid fever and 
 cholera are iiropagated ; hut as leprosy is developed so slowly 
 there is great difficulty in tracing it home to its true source.” 
 This is precisely the experience with the disease in this country. 
 
 Concluding Remarks. 
 
 These observations of the leper colony on Molokai island are 
 written solely for the purpose of presenting to the inhabitants of 
 the Hawaiian Kingdom and the wider world beyond its bounds, 
 the exact condition of affairs there, reference being only made 
 to the past when it became necessary to show, by way of contrast 
 the steady and marked change for the better in its administra- 
 tion and management. The experiment of spgregating the lepers 
 in 1806 was a bold one. It was a serious undertaking for a weak 
 and poor country. Very little was known about the treatment 
 and care of the disease ; but King and Government set resolutely 
 to work at the humane and benevolent task before them, and 
 their successors have kept on, until now they have organized an 
 institution for the care and treatment of lepers which stands un- 
 rivaled of its kind in the world. This is not a party question. 
 It is purely a question of humanity; and just in proportion as 
 denizens of this country and native Hawaiians realize and act 
 upon this idea, will they hasten the happy time when the fell 
 scourge of leprosy shall be eradicated. 
 
 ' 
 
•r