The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1908-11-27
ARMED LEPER
IN CUSTODY

Opunui ALA, the armed leper of Ka-
waihapai, this island, who has defed
the police and health departments for
years, was captured Tuesday night by
Deputy Sheriff Oscar Cox and posse
of police officers Pending concIu-
sion between Sheriff Iaukea and tho
Attorney Generals department as to
the disposition to be made of him, Opu-
nui will be held at the Waialua Jail.
Being leper, he is n candidate for
the Kalihi Receiving Station, but be-
ing desperate man, it is thought he
would soon make his way out of that
place and return to the country again.
On account of his leprosy the police
do not want to keep him in Jail.
For some time the outcast lived in
the mountains and depended for his
food supplies upon relatives and jap
anese whom he held up. Later he be-
came bold and went to live with his
brother Makahiki, and his cousin.
Jennie Davis. He was armed and kept
watch for police officers. He issued
an ultimatum to the police that if any-
one tried to take him he would shoot
to kill.
A former deputy sheriff of Homo
lulu had an experience with him and
owed his life to the generosity of the
leper, who, however, did not want to
die. and was 10th to shoot the officer.
truce was declared and the leper
continued to live at the Kawaihanai
house, which stands out on the plain
year the railroad tracks. No one can
aperoach without being seen. and by
night watch dogs assist in giving warm
ing of the approach of strangers. Dem
uty Sheriff CoX's letter to Sheriff Ian
kea is as follows:
"Haleiwa, November 25.
VIII inform You that Opunui ALA
of kawaihapai, who has been wanted
Tor some time past, was at Kawaihapai
last night. He had loaded revolver
on his person, and it took KIM kama
and William Kauahikaua quite a hard
night before they succeeded in putting
the handouts on him.
Monday evening we tried to arrest
Ala, but were not successful, and re-
turned at about 11:45 y. m. Last
night we made another effort. James
haiona and Kaaemoku Kakulu did
some good work in locating Opunui,
Makahiki and that girl (Jennie Davis)
and in helping us to get near the
place. About z O'Clock p. m. Kaaemo-
ku, myself, KIM, William Kauahi-
kaua, j. X. Mahoe and kama were
within 100 feet of the house. Infor-
nation was then given us that Opunui
and Jennie were in the dining room.
lMakahiki was taken away from the
house by Kalei and Kaiona Jr. We
started for the dining-room When
KIM and Kauahikaua arrived at the
door they lost some little time in pick
ing out Opunui, as there were eight
or ten persons in the room at the time.
AS soon as Opunui saw the officers he
quickly reached for his revolver. KIM
Saw him make the move and Jumped
at him, pinning down his hands. Will
liam Kauahikaua was close by him,
and Opunui made desperate fight.
During the struggle the lamp was over
turned, the light going out. Another
lamp was on the veranda of the house
and this was brought in.
81 brought Opunui, Makahiki and
Jennie to the Jail and they are now in
custody. We found some ammunition
in Opunui s room, also 1870 caliber
Winchester rifle.
81 left KIM Kama at Kawaihapai
last night and he may have to stay
there few days, as James Kaiona and
Kaaemaku were afraid of being in
jured by Opunui's relatives, but I
think there is no danger of that. I
will inform the doctor, and may send
Opunui to town in charge of an officer =
this afternoon"