In the Valleys of Kalawao | A disposable camera photo essay

The valleys of Kalawao are the veins connecting the land mauka to makai. Filled with water, endemic plants and birds and dragon flies and all important kalo—The valleys also hold history. History of Kalaupapa's Hansen’s disease Settlement past and of Hawaiian times before. Spending the first six months of the pandemic in Kalaupapa was a confluence of feelings and histories that felt important to sit with. I could spend a lifetime explaining how the history of this place, quarantine and disease, and the lives of my dear friends have impacted me and my understanding of the world.

There isn’t much infrastructure for entertainment in Kalaupapa in normal times, and with over half the staff gone “topside” during the pandemic, my best friend and I spent a great deal of time outside, exploring the nooks and crannies of our small peninsula. With my disposable camera and his binoculars we ventured into all three valleys: Waihanau,Wai’ale’ia, and Waikolu.

We found waterfalls, saw birds, told stories, and even measured the velocity of water/collected gps coordinates for the creation of a new map. Since we were there :) Now, home in Wisconsin--experiencing the pandemic in a different way--these newly developed photos have me reliving these valleys--and yearning to be tired, sweaty, and covered in new scratches as we ventured.

Waihanau | Birth water

Wai’ale’ia | Gulped Water

Waikolu | Three Waters