The Maui News
HONOLULU — Children, trauma care and Hansen’s disease patients exiled to Kalaupapa were on the minds of Maui’s three state senators at last week’s closure of the 2008 legislative session.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 208 recognizes and acknowledges the people of Kalaupapa and their families for the sacrifices of thousands of people exiled to the Molokai peninsula because they had Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy. The resolution apologizes to them for harsh restrictions that caused them undue pain as the result of government policies surrounding leprosy.
According to the resolution, from 1866 to 1969, an estimated 8,000 citizens were forced to leave their families and be isolated on Molokai because of society’s fear of Hansen’s disease.
State Sen. Kalani English, whose district includes Molokai, East Maui, Upcountry and Lanai, said...
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