The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-11-05
DR.. COFER'S
MOL0KA|
REPORT
Face to Face Sur.
vey Of Hawaii's
Lepers.
washington Star, Oct. l6)

A inspection of the leper settlement
"A on the island of Molokai, Hawaii
has been made to the marine hospital
service by L. f. Cofer chief quaran-
tine officer of the Hawaiian Islands
The visit was made during the month
of September on the invitation of the
Hawaiian territorial board Of health.
1t is explained that the board of health
makes regularly an annual visit to the
settlement. and as everything is arrang-
ed beforehand for this inspection DIR.
Cofer explains that one is able to see
and learn more in one day in following
them in their Investigations than would
be possible in week under ordinary
circumstances. In DR.. Cofer's narrative
account of the trip he says:
I'VE left Honolulu at 3 p. IN. OF Sep
tember 6. and arrived at Kalaupapa
about o'clock the following morning.
The leper settlement is located upon, or
may be said in general way to COM
prise a tongue shaped peninsula, which
juts out into the ocean from about the
center of the northern coast of Molo-
kai. This tongue of land is shut off
fl ON the rest of the island by a noun
tain range. which extends east and west
along the northern coast, and which
presents to the sea and also to the
leper settlement a series of bold precipi-
tous and rugged cliffs. which rise to
elevations varying from l,s0O to 5000
feet. The steamer approaches the pen
insula at a right angle, thereby Civ
ing the observer an excellent idea of
the relation which it bears to the rest
of the island. Indeed, the sight in the
early morning is very impressive one.
As the sun rises, the peninsula is
thrown into a shadow, and the lofty
cliffs are brought into bold relief. The
huge burrows on the face of the preci-
pice soon come into view, causing one
for the moment the vagary that it too
has assumed leonne countenance aft
er its many years of vigil over the un-
fortunates below and against the escape
of whom it has ever formed most
discouraging barrier AS the steamer
draws nearer, the pretty little town OF
Kalaupapa comes into view AT a dis
tance it looks like any prosperous littl,
town, but when the anchor is dropped
one is near enough to see the white
cottages and churches. which are sur.
lava fences inclosing yards planted with
tropical fruits and flowers. was re-
minded of q summer resort | had seen
somewhere. The shore is lined with
large rocks, and, on account of the al
most constant northerly swell, is rather
dangerous to approach, even in small
boat, which, by the way. is the only
means of making landing. There
part of them gaily dressed and decorat-
I'd with flowers Qeis), gathered at the
landing to meet us. The leper band was
playing, and things in general took on
the appearance of country fair.
THE crowd had gathered both in an
ticipation of the visit OF the board of
health and TO greet their friends and
relatives Who had made the ;-ip with
us. ! was Immediately struck by the
fact that while | saw a number of dis
torted faces, indeed some even in a
frightful condition, did not see an un-
happy one. | saw several lepers with
their faces furrowed and distorted be-
yond recognition, wearing white duck
trousers and straw hats of the most
modern shape, these latter adorned. as
is almost inevitable in Hawaii, with
'leis.' Notwithstanding the incongruity
of this combination of Hawaiian holi-
day dress and leprosy, one could not
but admire the hopeful and cheerful
way in which these poor people resigned
themselves to their fate BE il said to
the credit of some one that such con-
tentment can only thrive on COM
Portable mode of life and good treat
ment
A BEAUTIFUL SPOT.
THE peninsula has an area Of eight
square miles being only a very small
part of the Island of Molokai, with its
area of 26l square miles. | mention this
because a great many have tie impres-
sion that the whole of Molokai is given
up 10 the segregation of lepers. The
breadth of the base or the peninsula
where it joins the cliffs is two and three
quarter miles, breadth at the center, two
ana one-half, and length, ore mile
The soil is composed of dsintegrated
lava and sand, and with irrigation is
very productive. The village of Kalau-
papa Is situated on the western shore not
far removed from the face of the clif.
and on the eastern shore similarly sit
uated is the town of Kalawao. Between
these towns. but nearer TO Kalaupapa
than to kalawao is the extinct crater
OF hahukoo. This rises to an elevation
or i3 feet above the sea level and is
supposed TO have formed during its Pc
rod OF activity the land on which the
ieper settlement now stands
The village of Kalawao is exposed to
the full force OF the usually prevailing
northeast trade winds and on this ac-
count presents a rather bleak appear
ahce, 1t Is said that during the winter
months the climate here is most unpleas-
ant, oeing bleak, cold and rainy.
halaupapa. on the other hand Is pro.
.eS.eo py the crater of Kahukoo. and
being further removed from the noun.
tains. has the benefit Of the SUMS rays
The tropical vegetation ana the abund.
ance OF grass here show the good eli.
matte advantages which this place pos
sesses.
About 600 lepers tve in Kaiaupapa
ana probably one-third that number In