The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-07-05
TO MOLOKAI.
The Committee Appointed by the
Legislature Visit the Leper
Settlement.


visiting the Leper Settlement with
a few others, including press repre-
sentatives, left on the l. 1. S.N. CO..
steamer Waialeale for Kalaupapa at
7.l5 PM. on Saturday, July 2. Strong
head winds blew during the night
and the passengers had an unplea-
sant time. The steamer reached her
destination at Z o'clock on Sunday
morning, July 3.
AS soon as the steamer dropped
her anchors at the anchorage of the
Settlement the Leper Band struck up
Hawaii Ponoi, followed by several
popular selections. The visitors were
greatly surprised at hearing such a
quality of music. Kealakai, former
member of the Royal Hawaiian Band,
is the instructor, and has thirteen
leper boys under his charge. Their
instruments were the ones formerly
used by the Reformatory School boys.
Some Of the visitors accepted the
invitation of Captain Freeman to
breakfast with him on the boat, while
some preferred to land at once and
have their morning meals with the
superintendent, Mr.. VIM. II. Tell.
Two boats were lowered to convey
the sickly-looking seafaring ones
ashore. On landing they were kindly
received by Mr.. Tell and Judge Ka-
lauokalani and escorted to the super
lntendent's residence. Quite num-
Der of the lepers were at the wharf,
eagerly scanning the faces of the
visitors to see if among them were
their absent relatives or friends.
Some of the party INDUCED freely in
shaking hands, for it was a hard
matter indeed to refuse the greetings
of friends once dear and intimate,
but now exiled in a distant land.
On reaching the home of the genial
superintendent, Mrs. Tell and the
Misses Tell had everything ready,
two large tables being fairly loaded
down with viands of the most tempt
ing nature. The Band were sta
toned in the yard and played choice
music, to the delight of the visitors.
A little before nine O'Clock the rest
of the party arrived from the vessel
and work was soon commenced. A
lanai had been erected at one corner
of the yard, and in it the committee
from the Legislature and the other
visitors were seated. Several hundred
lepers were assembled on the road
Just in front of the lanai.
The speech making concluded at
about IL o'clock noon. Several OF
the party had already started on q
visit to Waikolu, much favored
valley on Molokai. Hon. w. ..
Smith and about twelve others paid
a visit to the Bishop Home for girls
They received a hearty welcome
from Sister Bonaventura and her
assistants. There were fifty five girls
Of different ages under the fostering
care of these noble sisters. The
dormitories, dining-hall, chapel, etc.
were visited. The girls we're al
neatly dressed and appeared to DC
happy and contented. The visiting
doctors examined their hands anC
faces. and they declared that some
OF tho mild cases could be improved
with proper medical treatment. The
sisters said that the girls were not
treated for leprosy at all, bat medi
cine was given them only in cases o.
fever, etc. The girls presented ,
petition to Mr.. Smith stating thel
grievances, the chief complaint being
that the Legislature should take I'm
mediate steps to make their home
more secure from the intrusion o
leper boys who have made severa
attempts to break into their apart
ments. Mr.. Smith replied that tn
matter would receive the careful at
tention of the committee,an assurane
which pleased the petitioners.
After spending over an hour a
the Bishop Home, the party pro
ceeded for Kalawao. Here, the ho:
pital for boys, Father Damien
church, his tomb, the lauhala tire
under which tue Hero Of Molokal
spent the first six months OF his Iii
at Kalawao, and other places, wer
in turn visited The boys at the b
lawao hospital favored the visitor
with song. They sang with g
preston and effect, which great
Impressed the listeners. 1t was Il
saddest sight seen by them to hear
large number of leper boys slngin
in perfect tune a song full of Patio
IS was enough to draw tears fro
tha hardest hearts, and during
rendition everybody stood almo
overcome so sad were Il
words of the melody they sang.
At about o'clock, the party L
turned to Kalaupapa where tn,
again partook of the kind hospital
of the host and hostess. The w;
aleale left Kalaupapa at Z o'clock
Sunday evening, the band glvil
the visitors a grand farewell. Hor
lulu harbor was made at / o'clo
on Monday morning.
The following is a list of those p'
mitted to visit the Leper Sett
ment:
Hons. w. o. Smith, chairman,
r. Hind, A. Young, ]. G. Hoapili,
p. Kamauoha, L. w. P. Kanealii,
Kaluna, t, S. Nahum, J. A. Akina a
J. w. Bipikane. Hons. P. Neumar
J. H. Waipuilani, and ]. n. KAPPA
were on the list but did not go.
Hons. G n. Wilcox II. P. Baldw
DR.. Stratling, r. N, H.B.M.S. Cha
pion, Dr. r. F. Bait, U.S.N., u. S.
San Francisco, Lieut.. Blow, q. S.