夏威夷Kalaupapa國家歷史公園的設立

Henry G. Law  第一任館長

1886年一月六號，有十二位痲瘋病患離開了他們的家人親友，被帶往Kalaupapa半島。跟隨者估計約有八千多人，其中至少有百分之九十的是當地的夏威夷人。

1980年，美國國會正式承認了，設立Kalaupapa國際歷史公園對Kalaupapa的歷史以及我國國家的重要性。創造Kalaupapa全國歷史公園的法律保證Kalaupapa的歷史可以被保存，並且成為今後世代的教育及啟發。然而同等重要的是，Kalaupapa國際歷史公園的設立明令規定，允許這些Kalaupapa的居民可以自在的在此生活，以及擁有他們的家。 

在眾多美國國家公園系統中的其中之一，Kalaupapa參加了一個，是可以承認他們在整各民族上的所有重要特點的獨特團體。這個組織不僅包含了黃石宏偉的自然區域、優勝美地、大峽谷、夏威夷火山國家公園，以及類似相關區域，如自由女神像、獨立霍爾、華盛頓紀念碑、林肯紀念碑等…，都提到了一些。

保存我們自己國家的文化以及自然遺產是多麼的讓人感到自豪，無論我們是否記得我們過去所犯過的錯誤或是承認我們的成就，我們都可以對更好的未來抱持著希望。

在公園裡主要的資源包含了這裡的歷史以及當時的居民，而這也是為何Kalaupapa國際歷史公園會如此獨一無二的原因了。而在公園內的所設立的紀念碑，讓他們相互扶持著彼此，還同時在身心靈上都有足夠的能力得以克服、順利渡過。這樣心靈上的安慰，不單只是對於痲瘋病患者本身，還包括了當時患者們被迫離開自己的家庭時，心裡所必須面對的最大悲劇。 

2005年，人們愉快的慶祝Kalaupapa國家歷史公園的二十五周年慶，而每年都會有數以萬計的參觀者到這讓人心靈得到啟發的公園。

就是因為我們曾經失去了這麼多的朋友，而其中這些人們又是Kalaupapa的歷史基礎，更包含了一位目前已經居住在Kalaupapa八十一年的華裔夏威夷女子。但是我們至少可以像他們保證的是，他們的存在以及他們的生命會像美國的文化遺產一般被人們永遠的記憶著。 

The Establishment of Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Hawaii

Henry G. Law 

First Superintendent, Kalaupapa National Historical Park  

On January 6, 1866, the first 12 people were taken from their families and friends and sent to the Kalaupapa peninsula because they had leprosy.  They were followed by an estimated 8,000 more people, at least 90% of whom were native Hawaiians

In 1980, the United States Congress officially recognized the significance of Kalaupapa’s history to our country and to the world by establishing Kalaupapa National Historical Park.  The law creating Kalaupapa National Historical Park ensured that the history of Kalaupapa would be preserved and interpreted for the education and inspiration of present and future generations.  Equally important, the establishment of Kalaupapa National Historical Park mandated that the residents of Kalaupapa be allowed to live out their lives in this, their home.

As one of many areas of the United States National Park System, Kalaupapa joined an exclusive group recognized for their nationally significant features.  This groups not only includes the magnificent natural areas of Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks, but also includes such areas as the Statue of Liberty, Independence Hall, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial, to mention a few. 

Preserving our nation’s cultural and natural heritage is something in which we can take pride.  Whether we are remembering our past mistakes or recognizing our accomplishments, we can have hope for a better future. 

The primary resource of the Park is its history and its current residents.  It is their lives that make Kalaupapa National Historical Park unique.  The Park stands as a monument to their ability to endure and overcome, both physically and psychologically, not only leprosy, but also the greatest tragedy of all – separation from their familie.

In 2005, Kalaupapa National Historical Park celebrated its 25^th anniversary.  Thousands of visitors come to this inspiring Park every year.  As we lose so many of our friends who were the backbone of Kalaupapa’s history, including a woman of Chinese-Hawaiian ancestry who lived at Kalaupapa for 81 years, we can at least assure them that they and their lives will be remembered as part of the cultural heritage of the United States of America.