Former leprosy patients, who were forcibly confined to the remote Kalaupapa peninsula of Molokai, received a long-awaited apology from the State legislature.

Around twelve former patients gathered at a meeting hall on the peninsula on Tuesday 12^th August 2008 to hear State Senator Kalani English read out a resolution, which included an apology to all those affected by leprosy who had been isolated at Kalaupapa. The resolution, which had been passed in April, noted and thanked patients for the sacrifices they had made in leaving their families, friends, relatives and opportunities for normal social interaction and activities.

For more information click on the following link:
http://leperpriest.blogspot.com/2008/08/former-leprosy-patients-hear-long.html

  

From 1866 the Hawaiian Kingdom began to banish people affected by leprosy in the belief it would halt spread of this disease. The republic, territory and state of Hawaii soon adopted this same measure. People affected by leprosy were no longer required to stay at Kalaupapa from 1969, although many chose to stay as it had become their home. 

Category: News and Notes, North and Central America