The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-04-30
compiaint- from the Lepers.

-
A late number of the KuOkoa contains a COM
,nunication from the unfortunate people isolated
IN Nolokai, headed Let the Legislature regard
the requests of the people afflicted with disease,
and sent to Molokai." They complain that they
are not able to get more than half enough to eat,
only one bundle of poi per week to each person,
and say that is the reason that some have taken
bags of rice without permission. The overseer
represents" (they go on to say) Everything
smooth, but now is the proper time to state our
grievances before the Legislature. Fifty cents per
week is allowed each person for food. and out of
this we must also provide sugar and salt. We
ask that our store-house be provided with rice,
sugar, bread, -four and molasses. We want an
Overseer that understands Hawaiian, who is
skilled in administering medicines, a friend of the
people, a Hawaiian subject-not like the present
Luna. Such a Luna should not be allowed to
keep a store for himself, as we may suppose the
goods belong to the Board / of Health. Our friends
should be allowed to visit us at proper times,
(but never to stay over mighty, for from them we
sometimes get necessaries. Our disease is not
contagious, only in cases of living together and
cohabiting, as is the case with venereal complaints.
We should be provided with water jugs, buckets,
plates, spoons, knives and forks, kettles, &c, be-
cause the fingers of many are badly diseased. Let
our dead be provided with collins, or else let us
be furnished with materials for making them, and
one or more Of our number who can do the work
be appointed therefor, to receive the same pay
now allowed to our useless constables-this would
be putting the money to a good use. We want
hats and shoes, for ever since we were first brought
L -@-k L. I~-- - -
if we were 80 sick as not to need hats and shoes.
Warm clothing only will do for this place, such
as blankets, thick and durable flannel shirts,
thick pants, &c, and not the thin, rotten clothing
that is now brought here-a useless waste of money.
Lastly, we want a Postmaster appointed for this
place, and a separate mail bag to be forwarded to
and from Honolulu. The reason for this is that
our letters which we send, never reach their des-
tination. What becomes of them? We are of
the opinion that they are wilfully thrown away"
The foregoing is the substance of the communica-
ton, and is signed, 90 From the Lepers,'' and da-
ted at Kalawao, Molokai, .April Is, 1870.
As the Board of Health has taken these people
away from their homes and families, and placed
them in a position where they can procure moth
ing by their own exertions beyond a little taro
and sweet potatoes, they must be considered as
the wards of the government, and be provided
with at least all the necessaries and as many as
possible of the comforts of life, for leprosy is not
a crime, and Kalawao is not a penal settlement.
We have no means of knowing what degree of
foundation there may be for the complaints of the
lepers, but We doubt not that at an early day in
the session the Minister of the Interior will be
called upon (as President of the Board of Healthy
to give full particulars as to the working of the
system and the condition of the lepers at Molokai.