By Alan Brennert
Last year I read Alan Brennert’s book Honolulu. Moloka’i seemed to get more acclaim but when
I read was it was about, it didn’t really appeal to me. But then, as I ended up really liking
Honolulu, I decided to give it a try.
Rachel Kalama is a young girl living on the island of
Honolulu when it is discovered that she has contracted leprosy. In the late 19th century (when
this story begins), those who tested positive for leprosy were sent to a
“colony” on the island of Moloka’i. As a
result, Rachel is sent there alone while her family is left to face the impact
of the prejudice and fears of their neighbors.
Determined that one day she will be cured and will get to leave the
colony, Rachel never gives up hope even as death surrounds her and the people
she loves are taken away.
Before I started this book, I didn’t know much about leprosy
or Hansen’s Disease (its modern name).
After some research on Wikipedia, I was surprised to learn that it is a
bacterial infection and doesn’t make your body parts fall off (like the nuns
said in school). That is a secondary
effect to all the nerve damage. Today,
Hansen’s Disease can be cured with some antibiotics which is kind of nuts
considering what victims were subjected to and now they can just take a pill
and call it a day.
Either way, I thought this story would be depressing with
not much going on which is why I didn’t choose to read it at first. But, I was wrong. Rachel’s leads a very full life, almost “normal”,
even if she is imprisoned on Moloka’i.
On top of this, there is an emotional element which stems from the death
and despair around her. I confess I
liked this book better than Honolulu and would recommend.
PS Also interesting to note: On Moloka'i's website for tourism, it discusses how it was a colony for Hansen's Disease. I thought this was somewhat amusing since most people probably don't know that Hansen's Disease = leprosy. But, if they put "previously the site of a leper colony" on there, tourism may diminish.
PS Also interesting to note: On Moloka'i's website for tourism, it discusses how it was a colony for Hansen's Disease. I thought this was somewhat amusing since most people probably don't know that Hansen's Disease = leprosy. But, if they put "previously the site of a leper colony" on there, tourism may diminish.
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