Calm Reflections Photography shares beautiful photographs that can be placed on mugs, mouse pads, canvas, puzzles, T-shirts, coasters and prints. Joanna Macaulay makes souvenirs of St. Mary’s County for tourists and local residents. Information about St. Mary’s County attractions, travel, events and photography can be found at her site. She now does pet photography as well.

To buy my photos, photo cards, and photo crafts of wildlife, pets, holidays and more, visit my Zazzle Photo store at https://www.zazzle.com/store/calmreflectionsphoto






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Showing posts with label Richard Marks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richard Marks. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

May 16 Kalaupapa Molokai

After talking to a local resident, we learned that it was still possible to fly into Kalaupapa without paying $500 each.  The peninsula haunted me as a rare place of sadness and great beauty, especially in Kalawao.  Our last trip there was in 2000 on a gray, rainy day.  There was a single seat left on a plane before we left for Maui.  Since Jim wasn't feeling well, I reserved it for myself.  In fact, they asked if I could sit in the co-pilot's seat.

Kalaupapa is very isolated and located on the northern shore, accessible only by air, mule or boat.  It is surrounded by the 1600 ft highest sea cliffs in the world and is the location of a leper colony from 1866-1949. 


       In 2010, we viewed the peninsula 
       "topside" from above the cliffs.

From: printable-maps.blogspot.com/2011/11/molokai-map.html?m=1

 Now called Hansen's disease, leprosy is curable, and 9 patients still live there, with another 7 currently living in Honolulu.  80 people live on the peninsula, mostly National Park service workers, since the area is a National Historical Park site.
King Kamehameha exiled the first leprosy residents.  They were dropped overboard near Kalawao, and left to die without medical care or assistance.  In December 1873, a young Catholic Belgian priest, Father Damien DeVeuster was sent to help.  He improved the conditions greatly until his death in 1889 from leprosy.  Mother Mariane Cope took up his work also in 1883 till her death in 1918 at age 80 from natural causes.  Both were sainted since we last visited in 2000.

Around 8000 burial sites are found there, only 10% of them are identified after major fires and a tsunami.  The hospital burned in 1980. 


 After picking up the mule riders and hikers near a dark sand beach, we boarded a bus and drove to St. Francis Catholic church.



      Sea cliffs

     'Awahua Beach near mule exit

       St. Francis Catholic church

I read that Richard Marks, our previous tour guide in 2000 died in December 2008.  He was such an interesting character, we remembered his name! 



 Ian was the tour guide this time, driving an old school bus, which often stopped every block, till driving to Kalawao, the location of the first unprotected settlement.

Kalawao's sea cliffs and the tiny island close to the cliffs (Okala) are breathtakingly beautiful.  Ian jokingly referred to the view there as "his office".  It was noon when we stopped there for lunch, not the ideal time for photography, but I tried my best.  At least it wasn't raining!


      The other island further from the cliffs       
       is Mokapu Island and the black sand     
       beach is Keawaiku beach.  
       (Panorama)
       
Our last major stop was at Philomena church, built before Father Damien came to Kalawao.  Legend had it that Father Damien spent his first night under a Pandana tree when he arrived there.  Ian stopped to feed the local cat and we toured the church and Father DeVeuster's memorial site, the location of  his right hand (He is buried in Tremolo, Belgium).  

      Stray cat Ian fed

       Philomena church

       Philomena churchyard in Kalawao

We got back on the plane to return to the main airport.

       9 seat plane

      Moloka'i Light Station

      'Iliopi'i Beach on Kalaupapa ?


Here is the end of an interesting day from the plane.

       Norfolk Island Pines on the 
       accessible part of Moloka'i

      Sunset near Kauanakakai