The Hawaiian gazette., 1886-07-20
A MISSION OF MERCY +!
The Likelike's Trip to
MolOkai.


dent OF the Board of Health and select committee
of that body, and number of invited guests,
numbering sixty in all (their individual names
being noted in the passenger lists in another
column took passage from this port, on the even
ing of the 18th inst on board the steamer Likelke
of which Capt. forenoon Is the capable comman-
der and Mr.. G. w. Smith the agreeable and &C
commoding purser, bound to the Leper Settlement
at Molokai. The trip was prompted Ly the appeals
received from the unfortunate people of that
island prison, and to which, the committee ap-
pointed to investigate we're slow in responding,
beng at last urged to action by Hon. Mr. Wilder's
generous offer. Lack of space forbids indulgence
in but the bare details, suf6cit to say the Like
like passed the lighthouse on her outward trip at
1925. Pleasant weather, smooth sea, and brilliant
moon were present till arrival at day dawn off the
harbor of kRlaupapa. An early breakfast was had
and then all hands disembarked for shore. The
committee on arriving at the dock were cheered
family later three rouslng cheers we're given for
Hon. S. G. Wilder. No speeches were made at
the landing and the party mounted, and proceeded
toward KRlawao where at S:45 the following testi-
mony, which included the whole investigation was
taken before members of the committee, as fol-
lows:
Representative Kaunamano stated that the COM
mittee appointed by the Legislative Assembly was
present TO hear any complaints that were to be
made relative to the food and management at the
Settlement
A leper named Kahului, presented himself and
stated that he had to complain of the paiGi, the
quantity supplied being insufficient, weekly "a
ton lasting only four days.
The President of the Board of Health although
only present a visitor, identified himself with
the inquiry in the following speech:
ssMy good friends, am glad to come ard see YOU
once more Owing to the kind courtesy and in
vitation of Mr.. Wilder in placing his steamer the
Likelke at our disposal, large number of persons
have come to visit you, and am glad of this OPP
portunity of seeing you. was glad to see and
talk with Father Damien. He came to Honolulu
to see the nature of the treatment of the disease by
Dr.. Goto the Japanese doctor. Dr. Goto has done
great deal of good at the Branch Hospital at Ka-
kaako. believe if he comes here he will greatly
strengthen you IN health and IN your bodies. His
Majesty the King called on Father Damien yester-
day. 1t was not only mark of respect to the good
father who has given his life to wait on you, but
shows His Majesty's deep interest IN you and his
earnest desire for your welfare. There are many
things that may not be all right. l remember in
past times how many difficulties there were in the
way here. remember the time when you'd had
grass huts; now you have good substantial houses.
There has been large increase In your supplies,
and the Government is determined to promote
your comfort. Ny frien1s, it is not necessary for
me to take up any more time. Here is with you
to-day a committee from the Legislative Assembly,
Hon. Mr. Cleghorn, of the Board Of Health, the
Bishop of Honolulu and the Commissioners of
England and France. There have been eIaggera-
TONS stories, of horror and misery, frghtful scan
dals and many other stories. These gentlemen
can see themselves your beautiful land and COM
Portable houses, and your food is plentiful. If
other things fall short you will be provided"
John Lefenasky, native of Poland, was the
next to enter complaint, he stating that, there
were kinds of bread served out in the rations,
one of which was poor quality, having neither
taste or smell, and was indigestble. This OBJ
iectionable kind, the speaker produced a sample.
was manufactured by the Oregon Baking Com
pany, of Portland, Oregon, and imported by
Messrs. w. G. Irwin Co. The bread was unfit
for Europeans, and it seemed to him, exile as he
was from home and friends, his life short that it
would be but right to supply good bread
Representative Dickey remarked that the bread
shown was of the same brand and quality as some
which he found impossible to SELL in his business,
customers Directing to use it.
n B. Kamai, man well advanced in years and
whose hands and face gave horrible evidence of
the ravages of the dead disease, now stated that;
in what he would say he would only tell the truth
and refer to the people present for confederation
of his statements. First of all he considered that
the Settlement should receive the care and at
tention of new Board of Health, those now in
the Board had shown but little thought or care
about the unfortuuates of Kalawao or Raulapapa.
He considered that the present Board of Health
was the cause of all their trouble. The President
of the Board had only paid two visits to the
Settlement since 1879. There seemed to be no de-
sire on that officials part to ascertain their needs
or wants The people much desired to see Hon.
S. G. Wilder in the position of the Board of
Health. Regular steam service was needed at the
Settlement. A resident superintendent was needed
and the speaker said that, the of the deadly
assault lately made on deputy sheriff and con-
stable by leper bY which two lives were lost, was
without proper notice. Mr.. Myers, the present
superintendent, is in the employ of two persons,
the Government and Mr.. Bishop, and he could not
properly serve two masters, somebody must suffer,
and the lepers are the ones as they receive poor
cattle for beef the speaker desired to show speci
mems of the cattle supplied but neither the COM
mittee nor President of the Board, evinced any
desire to be thus convinced.
Continuing, this complainant said that, in q
conversation with the butcher on June Both, he
was told that the bullocks killed ranged in weight
from 1873 to little over 300 pounds. The butcher
had instructions to average the weight at 300
pounds. This weight applied to cattle supplied
BY Mr.. Myers; cattle received from Hawaii
weighed as high as 600 pounds, the lowest over
400 pounds. The speaker now made complaint of
the allowance of pGiai, saying that the amount 81
pounds was insufficient for longer period than
four DAYS 1t was regarded as necessity that the
allowance be increased to 30 pounds per week.
Formerly 80 cents III money was allowed to those
who did not take their ration of pdidi. But that
custom has been stopped and by so doing has oc-
casioned hardship. Salmon barrels desired as
water containers will not be given away when
empty, this causes hardship. Although kerosene oil
is supplied, yet means are provided to light the
lamps or fire as no matches are supplied, and the
people generally get their supper early and go to
bed before dark Strong suspicion exists that let
tiers sent to and received from their friends are
tampered with in the Settlement. Water is much
the people are supplied by the driver of the Board
of Health wagon, who charges 81 per load for
bringing water from the spring. This is hard
ship upon the poor and helpless lepers and upon
those who have few containers, the charge being
/ the same for two barrels as for one bucket He
/ considered that this man being in the employ of
the Board of Health should not thus charge extra
for his services. The water in the well, at the
/ boat landing was bad; sometimes people, whose
feet are badly liberated, lose their shoes in the
vell-hole; besides the water Is brackish.
Representative LilikRlani asked the people pres
ent if they agreed IN the truth of the statements
made and the response was decided Aye"
By Representative kauhane when pai-ai Is gone
| then We have to depend on friends whose ratlons
| have not given out. We have the option to take
either rice, bread or paiai. We want beef that is
| fat. Some like mutton, not many. We do not
| have any regular medical attendance; the Doctor