Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 9, 1 September 2012 — Kalaupapa's Night of Aloha [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kalaupapa's Night of Aloha

During this time of year, Aloha Festivities are being eelebrated throughout the islands. Many years ago the Aloha Festivities that oeeurred at topside Moloka'i were also extended to Kalaupapa. The Moloka'i Aloha Week royal eourt would visit Kalaupapa, and festivities would be enjoyed by all down on

the peninsula. Due to various reasons, sueh as the dwindling patient populaīion or the limited funding of Aloha Week Festivals statewide, these visits by the eourt and any festivities ended down in Kalaupapa. Aeeording to Ziana KauliaPelland, a Night of Aloha started with a conversation she had with a patient in front of the Kalaupapa Store six years ago. The patient's name was Nellie McCarthy. They started reminiscing about when the Moloka'i Aloha Week Royal Court and Moana's Hula Hālau would eome and bring the festivities to Kalaupapa. Aunty Nellie commented on how sad she was that she and the other residents of Kalaupapa could not participate in the festivities but could only be bystanders. With the help of the eommunity and Lori Higa, who got money from Nā Pu'uwai, the first Night of Aloha was held for the community of Kalaupapa in 2007. Unfortunately Aunty Nellie, who was the inspiration behind Night of Aloha, was not there with the community to eelebrate. Aunty had passed away in 2006. This Sept. 5, the residents and workers of Kalaupapa will celebrate a Night of Aloha. The theme for this year is "Lei 'oe Lei Tātou." The celebration was a remembrance of the kūpuna who have passed and in honorofthoseremaining 10residents who eall Kalaupapa their home. This year, the royal court paid homage to

these remaining kūpuna residents. The royal court included Boogie and Ivy Kahilihiwa as the king and queen of the ceremonies. Boogie and Ivy have lived at Kalaupapa for more than 50 years and have been married for more than 30 years. They presided over the festivities that included traditional Hawaiian protocol. According to the Night of Aloha Committee,

whieh organized the event, the plan was to honor the kūpuna and present them with their wishes and requests of their favorite items from songs to lei and create an unforgettable moment for them. Besides celebrating the Hawaiian heritage, they also celebrated the various cultural backgrounds of the remaining kūpuna: Samoan, Filipino, Japanese and Mexican influences. The big event centered around Paschoal Hall and the courtyard. After the formal program with the royal court there was a pā'ina for all with a big Hawaiian feast. One of the entertainers for the evening was the Hamakua 'ohana. They also have ties to Kalaupapa as their greatgrandfather was the last person to reside in Kalawao, and their grandfather was employed in Kalaupapa. There is no other event in Kalaupapa like a Night of Aloha. "The Night of Aloha has become such a beautiful event in Kalaupapa where there is no separation of patients, Department of Health workers and National Park workers," said Kaulia-Pelland. "We eome together to work, learn and enjoy eaeh other's difference's and eaeh other's company. Every year we go away from this event richer than the year before and closer as a eommunity. All I ean say is I'm glad that I was the one that was lucky enough to have been sitting in front of the Kalaupapa Store and talking to Aunty Nellie, for the experience has made me a better person." ■

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Editor's note: Beginning in June, certain trustees ' columns will not appear in Ka Wai Ola. In accordance with an Office ofHawaiian Affairs Board ofTrustees policy based on state ethics guidelines, any trust.ee runningfor re-election is suspended from publishing his or her regular eolumn until the elections are complet.e, except.for t.hose t.ru.st.ees ru.nning u.nopposed. Tru.st.ees Haunani Apoliona and Robert.Lindsey havefiled nominat.ion papersforre-election anel, as a resu.lt, t.heircolumns are su.spendedpending the ouieome oft.he elect.ion.

Cūlette Y. Machadū Chairpersūn, Trustee Muluka'i and Lāna'i