Senator J. Kalani English has introduced a bill in the Senate to transfer management of Kalaupapa Settlement to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands when there is no longer a resident patient population at the settlement.
SB 2771 would also prevent the State Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Health—which now administer Kalaupapa Settlement—from transferring any parcels in Kalawao County pending the transfer.
“Once there are no more patients receiving care at Kalaupapa, there really is no reason for the Department of Health to be involved,” said English. “This would more properly fall under the Department of Hawaiian Homelands.”
Hawaii law already treats the county of Kalawao, which includes Kalaupapa, Kalawao and Waikolu and is commonly known as the Kalaupapa settlement, as a county of its own; it is not a part of the County of Maui. Under SB 2771, Kalawao county would have powers specifically granted by state law. An Executive administrator of Kalawao County would be elected by members of the Hawaii Home Commission.
English believes that the administration of Kalaupapa Settlement needs to consider the likely increased interest in Kalaupapa, and an increase in visitors, following the canonization of Father Damien in 2009. “Once there are no more patients receiving care at Kalaupapa, the character of the settlement will change. We can expect many more visitors who have an interest in Saint Damien and the work he did among those who had been exiled to the colony. Kalaupapa has always been unique in Hawaii, but the combination of historical, cultural and religious significance of the settlement will give rise to unique challenges. Especially in light of the cultural and historical concerns, DHHL is the right agency to administer the area.”