Leper War on Kaua'i
Encyclopedia
The Leper War on Kauai also known as the Koolau Rebellion, Battle of Kalalau or the short name, the Leper War. Following the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, the stricter government enforced the 1865 "Act to Prevent the Spread of Leprosy
" carried out by Attorney General and President of the Board of Health William Owen Smith
. A revolt broke out in Kauai
, against the forced relocation of all infected by the disease to the leper colony of Kalawao
on the island of Molokai
.
, attempted to force an isolated leprosy colony in Kalalau Valley
, Kauai to be deported, he was shot and killed by a leper named Kaluaikoolau known as “Koolau” on June 27, 1893.
On June 24, 1893 Stolza and two other policemen went to Kalalau to enforce the quarantine law to relocate lepers to Kalaupapa, they stayed at the house of a resident on the coast of Kalalau. The policemen spent the next day devising a strategy for their task. On Monday, 26th, Stolza’s group ventured deep into to the valley were they pitched a tent. Shortly after they establish themselves a band of lepers led by Koolau seized the camp and chased the lawmen back to the coast. The following day Koolau intended to drive the sheriffs out of the valley. Koolau with his wife Piilani found Stolza approaching the residence of a man named Kala, Stolza had already arrested one man by the name of Paoa who was in handcuffs and was about to arrest Kala. Stolza had Kala at gunpoint when Kala rushed to the door of his house and Koolau put Stolza at his gunpoint in defense of Kala. According to Piilani, Koolau tripped in the process of maneuvering during the standoff. In the process of the stumble Koolau’s rifle discharged wounding Stolza. Paoa took the opportunity to pummel Stolza utilizing his handcuffed wrists on the sheriff. Stolza reclaimed his rifle and weakly got to his feet. Koolau fired once more dispatching Stolza before he could bring his rifle to bear on his enemies.
as an offence to the new government. Following the killing, Marshal Edward G. Hitchcock the Kalalau Expedition commanded by Captain William Larsen comprising a 35 man platoon
of National Guard, a howitzer
, and representative of the Board of Health, Executive Officer Charles B. Reynolds. The men were transported to Kalalau by the Waialeale. They first stopped at Hanalei
on June 30 to get information about the situation in Kalalau. They found that police were guarding the paths between Hanalei and Kalalau.
After the shooting the lepers also prepared. Koolau was to lead a party of 12 armed with six rifles and six pistols. The party included himself, his son Kaleimanu, his wife Piilani being one of two women of the group, and Paoa. At the last moment Koolau decided to leave his group with the belief the party would be pursued more vigorously because of him. Piilani refused to go with the group and stayed with her husband against his protests, Kaleimanu to stay with his parents also went with Koolau.
, three lepers were captured from a cave on the coast and a leper collaborator.
On July 2 Wahinealoha, the collaborator, was deputized with the intent he would talk the lepers into surrender. The expedition moved another mile inland and established a base camp called “Camp Dole”. Larsen fired five round from the howitzer against the eastern ridge of the valley with the intention of intimidating the lepers with the cannon’s reports. The platoon advanced deeper into the valley. At noon Wahinealoha returned with the message that a group of lepers were willing to surneder if Luther Wilcox were to meet with them. Wahinealoha, Kunuiakea, and Wicox met with a leper, after assuring well treatment the other eight lepers of Koolau’s partycame out of hiding and surrendered. The next day, the soldiers searched for Koolau around the east ridge of the valley, but did not find him.
That afternoon the Waialeale arrived in Honolulu with 15 lepers.
Manuia led a group of four other lepers to Hanalei
, but were caught near Haena and sent to Hanalei.
, Private John McCabe who served in the Union Army
. McCabe led the assault group up to the entrance of the cave. As he attempted to climb over the ledge to the entrance of the cave Koolau shot him in the head. Once again the group retreated, but during the withdraw, Private John Herschberg snagged his rifle on foliage and the gun went off killing him. The soldiers returned to camp with the three bodies. On the July 6 Pratt commanded shelling the leper’s position with the howitzer and the guardsmen moved on with their hunt for lepers. Unbeknownst to them Koolau and his family fled the cave during the night before the bombardment.
On July 7 Reynolds with six soldiers collected ten lepers at Hanalei that had been caught outside Kalalau aboard the Iwalani and sent them to Honolulu.
from the Board of Health found the war embarrassing and went to Kalalau himself aboard the Iwalani that had delivered the prisoners to Honolulu and was to return to Kalalau. Smith arrived on July 10 with ten fresh soldiers, supplies, and three coffins. Smith found Larsen had given up on Koolau and went to the next valley with his men, searching for lepers. After hours of argument between the two, they returned to the cave with men to find it abandoned. Patrols were sent into the surrounding area to no avail. Smith, seeing the dense vegetation for himself, decided the manhunt was in vain and called off Larsen's campaign.
was sent as special prosecutor. A native Hawaiian named Kapea was arrested, tried, and hanged for the murder.
Piilani wrote about her experience which was published in 1906 titled Ka Moolelo oiaio o Kaluaikoolau, Hawaiian for The True Story of Kaluaikoolau.
The event would inspire the narrative The Folding Cliffs by W. S. Merwin
.
Jack London
wrote a short story about the incident titled "Koolau the Leper".
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
" carried out by Attorney General and President of the Board of Health William Owen Smith
William Owen Smith
William Owen Smith was a lawyer from a family of American missionaries who participated in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He served as attorney general for the entire duration of the provisional Government of Hawaii and the Republic of Hawaii.-Life:Smith was born August 4, 1848 in Kōloa...
. A revolt broke out in Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
, against the forced relocation of all infected by the disease to the leper colony of Kalawao
Kalawao County, Hawaii
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 147 people, 115 households, and 21 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile . There were 172 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
on the island of Molokai
Molokai
Molokai or Molokai is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is 38 by 10 miles in size with a land area of , making it the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island in the United States. It lies east of Oahu across the 25-mile wide Kaiwi Channel and north of...
.
Background
The Leper War started when Louis H. Stolza, a deputy sheriffSheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
, attempted to force an isolated leprosy colony in Kalalau Valley
Kalalau Valley
The Kalalau Valley is located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii. The valley is located in the Nā Pali Coast State Park and houses the beautiful Kalalau Beach. The Nā Pali Coast is very rugged and is inaccessible to automobiles...
, Kauai to be deported, he was shot and killed by a leper named Kaluaikoolau known as “Koolau” on June 27, 1893.
On June 24, 1893 Stolza and two other policemen went to Kalalau to enforce the quarantine law to relocate lepers to Kalaupapa, they stayed at the house of a resident on the coast of Kalalau. The policemen spent the next day devising a strategy for their task. On Monday, 26th, Stolza’s group ventured deep into to the valley were they pitched a tent. Shortly after they establish themselves a band of lepers led by Koolau seized the camp and chased the lawmen back to the coast. The following day Koolau intended to drive the sheriffs out of the valley. Koolau with his wife Piilani found Stolza approaching the residence of a man named Kala, Stolza had already arrested one man by the name of Paoa who was in handcuffs and was about to arrest Kala. Stolza had Kala at gunpoint when Kala rushed to the door of his house and Koolau put Stolza at his gunpoint in defense of Kala. According to Piilani, Koolau tripped in the process of maneuvering during the standoff. In the process of the stumble Koolau’s rifle discharged wounding Stolza. Paoa took the opportunity to pummel Stolza utilizing his handcuffed wrists on the sheriff. Stolza reclaimed his rifle and weakly got to his feet. Koolau fired once more dispatching Stolza before he could bring his rifle to bear on his enemies.
Kalalau Expedition
The killing was received by President Sanford B. DoleSanford B. Dole
Sanford Ballard Dole was a lawyer and jurist in the Hawaiian Islands as a kingdom, protectorate, republic and territory...
as an offence to the new government. Following the killing, Marshal Edward G. Hitchcock the Kalalau Expedition commanded by Captain William Larsen comprising a 35 man platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
of National Guard, a howitzer
Howitzer
A howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent...
, and representative of the Board of Health, Executive Officer Charles B. Reynolds. The men were transported to Kalalau by the Waialeale. They first stopped at Hanalei
Hanalei, Hawaii
Hanalei is a census-designated place in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 478 at the 2000 census. Hanalei means "lei making" in Hawaiian...
on June 30 to get information about the situation in Kalalau. They found that police were guarding the paths between Hanalei and Kalalau.
After the shooting the lepers also prepared. Koolau was to lead a party of 12 armed with six rifles and six pistols. The party included himself, his son Kaleimanu, his wife Piilani being one of two women of the group, and Paoa. At the last moment Koolau decided to leave his group with the belief the party would be pursued more vigorously because of him. Piilani refused to go with the group and stayed with her husband against his protests, Kaleimanu to stay with his parents also went with Koolau.
Landing
The Waialeale arriving at Kalalau July 1, 15 soldiers landed at noon in two skiffs without incident, only encountering civilians. Finding the shore safe the rest of the expedition was delivered and set up camp a mile inland. Soldiers were sent to guard the stream and the colony was searched finding leper leader Reverend Kapahei “Judge” KauaiKapahei Kauai
Kapahei J. Kauai also known as the “Arch-leper” , “Judge Kauai” or simply “Judge” was born in the mid-1820s and educated at Punahou School. Kauai became a tax assessor in 1856 in Waimea, Kauai and later a judge. He kept his title and known as Judge Kauai. Kauai won a seat in the Legislative...
, three lepers were captured from a cave on the coast and a leper collaborator.
On July 2 Wahinealoha, the collaborator, was deputized with the intent he would talk the lepers into surrender. The expedition moved another mile inland and established a base camp called “Camp Dole”. Larsen fired five round from the howitzer against the eastern ridge of the valley with the intention of intimidating the lepers with the cannon’s reports. The platoon advanced deeper into the valley. At noon Wahinealoha returned with the message that a group of lepers were willing to surneder if Luther Wilcox were to meet with them. Wahinealoha, Kunuiakea, and Wicox met with a leper, after assuring well treatment the other eight lepers of Koolau’s partycame out of hiding and surrendered. The next day, the soldiers searched for Koolau around the east ridge of the valley, but did not find him.
First assault
On July 4 Koolau was discovered by Sergeant Major J. W. Pratt's group of 15 men. Koolau was with his wife Piilani and son Kaleimanu in caves in the slope of one of the western ridge of the valley. Pratt sent a four man assault team to the cave while the reminder provided cover fire. Koolau shot the point man Private John Anderson, a Norwegian, from the well-camouflaged ledge of the cave entrance as the team neared. After being shot, Anderson knocked two of his comrades off the mountain. He would die of his wound; the other two guardsmen survived their fall but Private Johnson was badly injured and the group withdrew back to Camp Dole.That afternoon the Waialeale arrived in Honolulu with 15 lepers.
Manuia led a group of four other lepers to Hanalei
Hanalei, Hawaii
Hanalei is a census-designated place in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 478 at the 2000 census. Hanalei means "lei making" in Hawaiian...
, but were caught near Haena and sent to Hanalei.
Second assault
On July 5 Larsen commanded the second assault himself with 15 men. They found the body of Anderson. Larsen had one group commanded by him to provide fifteen minutes of suppressive fire on the cave while an assault group, commanded by Reynolds, entered the cave. This time the point man was a combat veteran of the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Private John McCabe who served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
. McCabe led the assault group up to the entrance of the cave. As he attempted to climb over the ledge to the entrance of the cave Koolau shot him in the head. Once again the group retreated, but during the withdraw, Private John Herschberg snagged his rifle on foliage and the gun went off killing him. The soldiers returned to camp with the three bodies. On the July 6 Pratt commanded shelling the leper’s position with the howitzer and the guardsmen moved on with their hunt for lepers. Unbeknownst to them Koolau and his family fled the cave during the night before the bombardment.
On July 7 Reynolds with six soldiers collected ten lepers at Hanalei that had been caught outside Kalalau aboard the Iwalani and sent them to Honolulu.
Third assault
William Owen SmithWilliam Owen Smith
William Owen Smith was a lawyer from a family of American missionaries who participated in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He served as attorney general for the entire duration of the provisional Government of Hawaii and the Republic of Hawaii.-Life:Smith was born August 4, 1848 in Kōloa...
from the Board of Health found the war embarrassing and went to Kalalau himself aboard the Iwalani that had delivered the prisoners to Honolulu and was to return to Kalalau. Smith arrived on July 10 with ten fresh soldiers, supplies, and three coffins. Smith found Larsen had given up on Koolau and went to the next valley with his men, searching for lepers. After hours of argument between the two, they returned to the cave with men to find it abandoned. Patrols were sent into the surrounding area to no avail. Smith, seeing the dense vegetation for himself, decided the manhunt was in vain and called off Larsen's campaign.
Aftermath
The soldiers left boarded the Iwalani, the campaign had captured twenty seven prisoners. The remaining lepers were never harassed again, while the captured lepers were sent to Kalawao. The leper community in Kalalau had dissolved and lived in individual households. Koolau and his family lived nomadically in the valley fearing capture. First his son, then Koolau died in 1896, Piilani his wife left the valley. In 1897, William Smith's brother physician Jared K. Smith was killed in what was suspected as retaliation by a relative of lepers who were threatened with deportation. Smith's law partner William Ansel KinneyWilliam Ansel Kinney
William Ansel Kinney was a lawyer and politician in the Kingdom of Hawaii, through the Republic of Hawaii and into the Territory of Hawaii.-Family:William Ansel Kinney was born October 16, 1860 in Honolulu, Hawaii....
was sent as special prosecutor. A native Hawaiian named Kapea was arrested, tried, and hanged for the murder.
Popular culture
The Leper War has been cited as a successful act of defiance directed at discrimination toward leprosy and Hawaiians.Piilani wrote about her experience which was published in 1906 titled Ka Moolelo oiaio o Kaluaikoolau, Hawaiian for The True Story of Kaluaikoolau.
The event would inspire the narrative The Folding Cliffs by W. S. Merwin
W. S. Merwin
William Stanley Merwin is an American poet, credited with over 30 books of poetry, translation and prose. During the 1960s anti-war movement, Merwin's unique craft was thematically characterized by indirect, unpunctuated narration. In the 1980s and 1990s, Merwin's writing influence derived from...
.
Jack London
Jack London
John Griffith "Jack" London was an American author, journalist, and social activist. He was a pioneer in the then-burgeoning world of commercial magazine fiction and was one of the first fiction writers to obtain worldwide celebrity and a large fortune from his fiction alone...
wrote a short story about the incident titled "Koolau the Leper".