He introduces himself as "Edwin Lelepali, Democrat," but call him Pali, for short. Pali keeps a a twinkle in his eye and couple of guitars always at the ready in the back of his bright yellow Volkswagen Van. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

Meet the Kalaupapapa residents in these personal interviews
By Lisa Asato, Ka Wai Ola

Don't be fooled by the political label. It's not a sign of partisanship; rather, he just likes the sound of it so much that it's become integral to his identity. At 80 years old, Lelepali has outlived many friends and both of his wives, but when he speaks, his eyes sparkle like he's 20. Here, he shares a success story as a civil servant in Kalaupapa.

In 1980 I worked for civil service. I worked for them until I retired. I worked for about a good six or seven years and then I came foreman for the civil service. I had about eight guys under me.

The best part about this, I'm a patient, see, and yet I was above the nonpatients. I was kind of surprised, you know, I was wondering how come they pick me for that? We had three guys apply for the job: two nonpatients and me, the patient. But I think my qualification, the kine work I do — go Waikolu, go fix pipeline, I do all that, you know? And then when the pipeline broke they no send anybody, they send me, one patient. So I was thinking, 'Gee I wonder if they testing me whether I going grumble or I going refuse,' that's the kine thought I had in mind.

Only me, one, I go by myself I check where the broke line is, I go inside shut off the water then I come back I tell the boss where the pipeline stay, what kine tools we need, so (we) go inside with the bulldozer, bring all the pipe, fix the line.

That was my job before. … I showed them. I went, boy. And because of that I think I came foreman. Then I became above them, and I tell them what to do.

On funerals

They had about 480 patients the first time I came 1942. But you know, every day one patient died. And they used to ring the church bell, see. So I told them, “Shee, how come you guys don't go to the funeral, ah?” He said, “Bumbye you know why.” Then I knew why. They tired go funeral – every day patient was dying. They die from tuberculosis, that's what they were dying from. We were all mixed up. They no separate us until they found out that we had TB then they separate us. I had TB. I stayed about four months getting treatment. I got healed. The thing just went start. They went catch 'em in time.

On arriving in Kalaupapa

When we came we had 38 people come with us. We came on a big ship, you know where the cattle hold stay? That's were they put us. Stink like hell all the doodoo, ah? They shoot 'em down, but still smell. That's where they keep us until they put us on the deck until we reach Kalaupapa. And when we came to Kalaupapa all the patients all down the pier, the old folks, no more young guys. Us guys was the youngest. Oh, they all look at us. We scared like hell, you know, they tell us, “I like take that one.” That's what we hear, ah. We scared, we no like go with them. We all stick together. At the time we came, we were scared, but afterward we get used to it there. It was like family, it was good.

On choosing to stay in Kalaupapa

All my life I like stay over here because when I came when I was small kid I never like come that first time. We no like cause we go leave our family, ah, so I no like. But when I was still here about two, three months even my father no can get me to leave here. I no like. I love my father see, but I tell papa, “I like stay here cause get horseback riding, go swimming, plenty things Honolulu no more that over here get. That's why I wanted to stay Kalaupapa. This is my home. I love this place. And the beer nice too, ah?

On stares

For more vignettes from Kalaupapa residents, visit Ka Wai Ola online, www.oha.org/kawaiola

(Several more Resident interviews are awaiting approvals from Kalaupapa.
They will appear here when approval is received by Ka Wai Ola.)