Kalaupapa Month: UH Hilo honors and remembers significant episode in Hawaiʻi’s history with exhibits, film showings, and featured books
Between 1866-1969 approximately 8,000 people were separated from their families, most exiled to the Kalaupapa peninsula of Molokai. 90% were were Kānaka ʻŌiwi.
The film The Wind & the Reckoning will be shown at UH Hilo on Jan. 27, 2026, 5:30pm, University Classroom Building, room 100. The film is based on real-life historical events as told through the memoirs of Piʻilani, whose ʻohana refused to be torn apart when two members contracted leprosy. The film showing is free and open to the public.
This message was sent via email from University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Professor of History Kerri Inglis to the UH Hilo ʻohana on Jan 12, 2026.
Aloha mai,
January is Kalaupapa Month.
In January of 1866 the first 12 people were sent to Kalawao (on the Kalaupapa peninsula, north shore of Molokai) because of government policies related to leprosy, now known as Hansen’s disease. Between 1866 and 1969 approximately 8,000 persons were separated from their families and most were exiled to the peninsula. Ninety percent of those sent to Kalaupapa over this 103 year history were Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian). While the suffering and challenges were many, they persevered — demonstrating their resilience, tenacity, and aloha for their lāhui — their stories can teach us much.
Hui Mālama Makanalua, established by UHH students, staff, and faculty in 2014, with a commitment to honor the kūpuna, preserve their history, and serve the community of Kalaupapa, invites our UHH community to join us in observing Kalaupapa Month, honoring and remembering this significant episode in Hawaiʻi’s history:
- a Kalaupapa history exhibit has been installed inside the entrance to Mookini Library (in the glass cases)
- there will be two feature film showings this month, with discussion afterwards:
TUES., January 20th @ 5:30pm, UCB100 — Molokai: The Story of Father Damien
TUES., January 27th @ 5:30pm, UCB100 — The Wind & the Reckoning - there are many books on Kalaupapa history that can be found in the “Edith Kanakaʻole Hawaiian Collection” at Mookini, as well as in our local bookstores and public libraries
- there are also many documentaries that share aspects of Kalaupapa’s history, including The Soul of Kalaupapa (streaming for free through byutv)
- Kalaupapa National Historical Park‘s website includes many amazing images from the peninsula along with some former patients’ interviews
- and Ka ʻOhana O Kalaupapa’s website offers information on reconnecting families, honoring and remembering all who were forcibly relocated to Kalaupapa since 1866
with aloha,
~kerri
Professor Kerri Inglis has devoted her career to studying the history of leprosy in Hawaiʻi with focus on the history of kamaʻāina who lived on the peninsula of Kalaupapa, Molokai. In 2024 she was awarded a UH Board of Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching. Read more about her teaching, research, and community outreach at the research website Keaohou.
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