New Perspectives on the History of Kalaupapa

November 7, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Mānoa Campus, Hamilton Library 301

A special lecture by Anwei Skinses Law

Between 1866 and 1969, an estimated 8,000 people were taken from their families and places of their birth and sent to Kalaupapa because of Hawaii’s leprosy isolation policies. About 5,200 of these individuals were sent to Kalaupapa prior to the annexation of Hawai‘i by the United States, approximately 97% of whom were Native Hawaiian.

Members of the Royal Family were deeply moved by the situation facing so many of their “beloved people” who were diagnosed with leprosy. They visited Kalaupapa, read petitions, wrote letters, mourned friends who had been taken from their midst and did what they could to make life better for those afflicted with the disease. Leprosy was a very real presence in their lives.

Anwei Skinsnes Law, a UH graduate, has been researching the history of Kalaupapa for more than 40 years. She has conducted oral history interviews with many Kalaupapa residents and family members and produced books and documentaries on various aspects of the history. Her most recent book, "Kalaupapa: A Collective Memory," which was published by UH Press, was named the winner of the 2013 Samuel M. Kamakau Award as Book of the Year by the Hawaii Publishers Association.

View the historical exhibit, “A Source of Light, Constant and Never-Fading,” developed by Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa on the 1st floor of Hamilton Library following the lecture.


Ticket Information
Free & open to public

Event Sponsor
UHM Library Services, Mānoa Campus

More Information
Teri Skillman, 956-8688, skillman@hawaii.edu

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