In Kalaupapa Place Names, John Clark presents a unique history of the leprosy settlement on Moloka‘i, based on his meticulous research of more than three hundred Hawaiian-language newspaper articles. He first assembled an extensive list of familiar and long-forgotten place names associated with the Kalaupapa peninsula and then searched for them in the online repository of Hawaiian-language newspapers. With translation assistance by Iāsona Ellinwood and Keao NeSmith, he discovered articles that show a community of Hawaiians from every island except uninhabited Kaho‘olawe. Their stories reveal an active community with its members trying to live their lives as normally as possible in the face of a debilitating disease.
The first section of the book contains newspaper articles arranged under an alphabetical listing of place names. The second section organizes the material into chronological segments, from before the establishment of the Kalaupapa Settlement to the death of Mother Marianne Cope in 1918. These two sections are followed by a collection of kanikau or lamentations, interviews with Kalaupapa residents, and a list of Hawaiian language newspapers. Introductory paragraphs for groupings of newspaper articles assist the reader in visualizing the physical landscape and understanding the history and significance of a particular location. The poetry of the Hawaiian language is evident throughout the translations, especially in the kanikau.
Awards
- 2019, Commended - Ka Palapala Po‘okela Awards (various categories)
Through his purposeful selection of articles, Clark offers a realistic and balanced portrayal of a community which, like all others, had its own share of trials, tragedies, and triumphs. Kalaupapa Place Names is more than a book about geographical locations and historic sites. It is an emotional travelogue with Kalaupapa as the backdrop. Anguish and loss are felt in the heartrending kanikau composed for loved ones who have died. Strong opinions, biases, and prejudices are encountered in candid letters to the editor. Compassion and concern are revealed in detailed reports of visits by the royal family, legislative committees, and others. And, a sense of pride shines through in eyewitness accounts of activities and events that define and celebrate the Kalaupapa community.
This is a title to keep on the shelves and return to for leisurely exploration or specific reference. It’s a book that exemplifies everything one expects from Clark—careful research, readable prose with thorough organization and empathy for his subject and readers.
John R. Kukeakalani Clark is a former lifeguard and a retired deputy fire chief of the Honolulu Fire Department. He is the author of ten books about Hawai‘i’s beaches, surf spots, and ocean lore, including North Shore Place Names: Kahuku to Ka‘ena and Hawaiian Surfing: Traditions from the Past.
