The Future of Kalaupapa <br/>KĀKOU: Hawaiʻi’s Town Hall WATCH NOW

KĀKOU: Hawai‘i’s Town Hall

The Future of Kalaupapa
KĀKOU: Hawaiʻi’s Town Hall

For 160 years, Kalaupapa, Molokaʻi has been home to people living with Hansen's disease. Thousands of people were sent there after being diagnosed with or even suspected of having the illness. The area is managed by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health. Today, fewer than ten patients remain, most in their eighties. Long before the settlement, Native Hawaiians lived on the land for centuries. Their history and connection to the place are an essential part of the larger story of Kalaupapa. Hawaiʻi is now facing difficult questions about the future of the peninsula. Proposed legislation this year would transfer control of the area to Maui County. How that would align with the long-term plans of the National Park Service remains unclear. PBS Hawaiʻi is bringing stakeholders together for KĀKOU: Hawaiʻi's Town Hall to discuss The Future of Kalaupapa.
Air Date: Sat, Jun 13, 2026 7:30 PM

During the program, you can phone in a question or leave us a comment on our YouTube channel  KĀKOU: Hawaiʻi’s Town Hall also streams live on pbshawaii.org.

Panelists include:

  • Katie Lambert, Deputy Director, Department of Hawaiian Homelands

 

  • Nancy Holman, Superintendent, Kalaupapa National Historical Park

 

  • Dr. Diana Felton, Hawaiʻi Health Department

 

  • Davianna Pōmaikaʻi McGregor, Historian

 

  • Mikiʻala Pescaia, Molokaʻi Resident and former National Park employee

 

  • DeGray Vanderbilt, Founding Member, Ka ʻOhana O Kalaupapa

 

  • Richard Bissen, Mayor, Maui County

 

  • Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Maui County Council-Molokaʻi Seat

 

  • Dr. S. Kalani Brady, Associate Professor, John A. Burns School of Medicine