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 Father Damien Museum, Oahu
The tiny little museum that was hidden behind St. Augustine By The Sea Church on the beach in Waikiki (on Oahu), was devoted to the memory of Father Damien, a catholic priest from Belgium who is known for his humanitarian work on the island of Molokai. A ceiling leak forced the removal of the exhibit several years ago. There is no set date for a reopening of the Father Damien Museum, however there are several items related to Father Damien's life on display in St. Augustine By The Sea Church.The story of Father Damien shows that even paradise has its share of tragedy, and it came in the form of the terrible disease leprosy (Hansen's Disease). The first documented case of Hansen's Disease occurred in Hawaii in 1848. It is not known when or precisely how leprosy arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, but it was detected as early as the 1830's. Its rapid spread and then-unknown cure necessitated total isolation of the sufferers. The area of Molokai known as Kalaupapa (possibly the most gorgeous spot in Hawaii) is surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean and cut off from the rest of Molokai by 1600-foot sea cliffs. It provided the perfect the location for a leper colony. Father Damien came to in Honolulu in 1864 and spent the next 15 years ministering to Hawaiian natives. In 1873, Father Damien arrived at the leper settlement on Molokai, where he provided spiritual and medical assistance to Hawaiian natives suffering from leprosy, until he himself succumbed to the disease in 1889. Father Damien remains a hero in Hawaii.  Explore more Hidden Places... Or plan your dream vacation through our Oahu Travel Directory!
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