Each year, Lisa and I circle the globe for my colorful
concert career. I've been fortunate to perform publicly in
many of the world's finest concert halls and privately for
Presidents and Royalty. We also get to enjoy wonderful
exclusive engagements, like our month in an overwater
bungalow at the St. Regis Bora Bora or my performances at
Amanpuri in Phuket. However, none of our travels and
performances have been more rewarding than our visits to
Molokai to play for the patients and kokuas at the Historic
Kalaupapa Settlement.
We have made many good friends in Kalaupapa and at Hale
Mohalu in Honolulu. We have stayed in the patients' homes
and learned their history. The great sacrifices that these
innocent victims of Hansen's Disease (leprosy) have made on
behalf of their fellow Hawaiians is tragically sad. Yet the
beautiful spirit of the few remaining patients is uplifting
- and the incredible love and kindness of the kokuas
(helpers) there is absolutely inspirational.
The people of Kalaupapa, who have endured so much suffering
and abuse (as well as kindness from those who have followed
in the footsteps of Father Damien), finally have an
organization dedicated to showing them the respect they
deserve and an appreciation of their history. Ka 'Ohana O
Kalaupapa also wants "to ensure that the remaining patients
will be able to live out their lives in Kalaupapa, their
home, and have the assurance that their history will be
preserved and passed down for the education and inspiration
of present and future generations."
~ Jeff Linsky