View of the Kalaupapa Peninsula, where leprosy patients once lived in forced isolation.
A very special birthday was recently celebrated in Hawaii: Earlier this month, on April 12th, the oldest “patient” living on the historic Kalaupapa Peninsula, John Arruda, celebrated his 100th birthday.
Turning a hundred is a monumental occasion regardless of where you live and what your story is; however, this centennial celebration carried a bit more weight given the circumstances surrounding his life and residence.
A Historic Birthday in a Historic Place
The Kalaupapa Peninsula is located on the north shore of Molokai and is one of the most unique places in all the islands.
In the mid-1800s, a leprosy epidemic broke out in Hawaii. Worried that it would spread too rapidly through the population, the Hawaiian Monarchy sent all those infected with the disease into forced isolation on the Kalaupapa Peninsula, which is walled off from the rest of the island by tall sea cliffs and the ocean.
From the mid-1800s until the mid-1900s, about 8,000 people were sent to Kalaupapa to live and die, alongside other infected patients, in quarantine.
It wasn’t until after World War II that modern-day treatments for leprosy became available and allowed the forced isolation to end. Many patients - now technically former patients - decided to stay at Kalaupapa, however, as it had become their home.
Today, eight former patients, including Arruda, remain on the register at Kalaupapa, some still living on the peninsula.
“John’s refusal to be defined by adversity, and his determination to embrace life with boundless energy and joy, are an invaluable testament to the power of hope and the human spirit,” Governor Josh Green wrote in a public tribute. “His tireless advocacy for the preservation of Kalaupapa’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring our shared history and cherishing our communities, and his infectious laughter and zest for life are a constant source of inspiration to those around him.”
In 1980, Kalaupapa became a National Historic Park and eventually opened to visitation by the general public. Tours welcomed 100 people per day and showcased what life was like on the peninsula during the height of the epidemic.
Close, But Still Closed
But now, the birthday celebration comes as Kalaupapa enters its 5th year of closure following the COVID-19 pandemic. All health restrictions have been lifted, but a combination of factors has kept the Park closed, including the safety of trails, a restructuring of flights into and out of the peninsula, and a unique tour operator arrangement, among others.
Pressure has been heating up of late for the National Historic Park to reopen to visitors, and Park staff recently said it was “close” to reopening. But for now, travelers heading to Hawaii this year should be aware that this particular National Park site remains closed and inaccessible.
You can read the full story of Kalaupapa’s history and the hurdles of its reopening in a recent article on CNN for National Park Week.
