The Belgian priest, known as Father Damien, was officially declared a saint on Oct. 11, 2009 for ministering to patients with Hansen's disease who were exiled to a remote settlement in Hawaii in the 1800's.

During this tragic era, people in Hawaii were torn from their families and banished from their homes because of fear of the infectious disease. Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, affects the skin and nerves, sometimes causing disability and disfigurement.  Back then, there was no cure for it, so patients were quarantined by the government on the isolated Kalaupapa peninsula on the island of Molokai.  They were treated as outcasts until Father Damien, arrived in the late 1800's to care for them.  He helped the patients regain their dignity, and brought global attention to their plight and fight for human rights.  Damien served in Kalaupapa for 16 years (1873-1889), before dying from the disease at the age of 49.

This piece explores how Saint Damien continues to inspire many worldwide, particulary those who were once exiled to Kalaupapa.  "He came in the worst years, and lifted up our hearts, do not despair. He gave us faith and hope," says Norbert Palea, one of the last remaining patients in Kalaupapa.

Father Damien is considered the patron saint of outcasts, including those with Hansen's disease and HIV/AIDS.

Saint Damien of Molokai (1840-1889)
http://www.fatherdamien.com/

Keali`i Reichel is a teacher of Hawaiian language and culture, and one of Hawaii’s most popular recording artists.  His music, chant and hula reflect the best of traditional and contemporary poetry and dance in Hawai'i today.

For years, Reichel has been making waves with his CDs on the world music charts.  Now he’s captured his performances on DVD.  While Reichel sings, hula dancers help tell the story, as images about the songs flash on large screens.  Reichel realizes a lot of people don't speak Hawaiian or can understand Hawaiian lyrics. So he offers subtitles in both English and Hawaiian, something that's never been done before.  He hopes to help people better understand and enjoy the essence of Hawaiian language and culture.

Reichel has won more than two dozen Na Hoku Hanohano Awards—Hawaii’s highest musical honors.  His latest project, “Kukahi: Live in Concert,” won a Hoku for Music video DVD of the Year in 2008. 

In 1980, Reichel founded his own hula school, Halau Ke`alaokamaile.  The hula troupe won honors when it made its debut at the 46th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival--the world's premier hula festival, held recently in Hilo, Hawaii.
 
You can hear two versions of this story: Long version (5:24 minutes) Short version (4:25 minutes)

http://www.kealiireichel.com/

Nona Beamer was a highly respected kupuna (Hawaiian elder), known for her efforts in preserving Hawaiian culture. Beamer was a master of Hawaiian storytelling, chant and traditional hula.  She was also a gifted songwriter, performer and teacher.  As a child, she learned how to chant to the ocean from her own grandmother, Helen Desha Beamer, a prolific composer.

Nona Beamer is remembered as the matriarch of one of Hawaii's most respected musical families, and the mother of Keola and Kapono Beamer, who are both slack key masters and talented musicians in their own right.

Nona Beamer recorded a CD with her son, Keola, called "The Golden Lehua Tree: Stories and Music from the Heart of Hawaii's Beamer Family." This piece includes interviews with Nona Beamer, Keola Beamer and hula master Maile Loo. Nona Beamer passed away on April 10, 2008, leaving behind a rich legacy of Hawaiian storytelling, music and hula, including her unique knowledge of 242 different types of ancient hulas. Originally broadcast on NPR's "Morning Edition" in 2000.

A Hawaiian Christmas with slack key master Kapono Beamer will fill your heart and soul with the Aloha spirit on Christmas Day.  He shares memories of what it was like growing up in the Beamer family, one of Hawaii's most respected musical families, and how they celebrated the holidays.  On his CD, "Great Grandmother, Great Grandson," Kapono plays music inspired by his great grandmother, Helen Desha Beamer.  She was a prominent Hawaiian songwriter in the first half of the 20th century, who was known for her exquisite melodies.

During this half-hour long music special hosted by Heidi Chang, Kapono also performs live, singing "Silent Night" in Hawaiian.  Hawaiian culture is based on the oral tradition.  So Kapono is passing on his family's rich cultural heritage, through his stories and music.  His island roots goes back to the 15th Century.  Kapono also talks story about music and life, and explains how his pop hit, "Only Good Times," ended up on the soundtrack of Hollywood's first big budget surf film, "Big Wednesday," directed by John Milius.

Kapono Beamer is a talented guitarist, singer and songwriter in his own right.  As a member of the Beamer Brothers, one of Hawaii's most popular duos, he helped spark the Hawaiian renaissance in the 70's, creating a new contemporary Hawaiian sound.  The Beamer Brothers “Honolulu City Lights" album remains one of the most successful selling records in the history of Hawaiian music.  In 2006, Kapono’s recording, "Slack Key Dreams of the Ponomoe,” was nominated for a Grammy for Hawaiian Album of the Year.  He is a multiple winner of Hawaii's version of the Grammy Awards, known as the "Na Hoku Hanohano" Awards.

Sad note:  Since this special initially aired, Kapono's grandmother, and also his mother, Nona Beamer, a gifted composer and hula master, have passed away.  But their spirit lives on through Kapono's storytelling, and the depth and beauty of his music.

To learn more about Kapono Beamer, visit his website. 

A Hawaiian Christmas with slack key master Kapono Beamer will fill your heart and soul with the Aloha spirit on Christmas Day.  He shares memories of what it was like growing up in the Beamer family, one of Hawaii's most respected musical families, and how they celebrated the holidays.  On his CD, "Great Grandmother, Great Grandson," Kapono plays music inspired by his great grandmother, Helen Desha Beamer.  She was a prominent Hawaiian songwriter in the first half of the 20th century, who was known for her exquisite melodies.

During this half-hour long music special hosted by Heidi Chang, Kapono also performs live, singing "Silent Night" in Hawaiian.  Hawaiian culture is based on the oral tradition.  So Kapono is passing on his family's rich cultural heritage, through his stories and music.  His island roots goes back to the 15th Century.  Kapono also talks story about music and life, and explains how his pop hit, "Only Good Times," ended up on the soundtrack of Hollywood's first big budget surf film, "Big Wednesday," directed by John Milius.

Kapono Beamer is a talented guitarist, singer and songwriter in his own right.  As a member of the Beamer Brothers, one of Hawaii's most popular duos, he helped spark the Hawaiian renaissance in the 70's, creating a new contemporary Hawaiian sound.  The Beamer Brothers “Honolulu City Lights" album remains one of the most successful selling records in the history of Hawaiian music.  In 2006, Kapono’s recording, "Slack Key Dreams of the Ponomoe,” was nominated for a Grammy for Hawaiian Album of the Year.  He is a multiple winner of Hawaii's version of the Grammy Awards, known as the "Na Hoku Hanohano" Awards.

Sad note:  Since this special initially aired, Kapono's grandmother, and also his mother, Nona Beamer, a gifted composer and hula master, have passed away.  But their spirit lives on through Kapono's storytelling, and the depth and beauty of his music.

To learn more about Kapono Beamer, visit his website. 

A Hawaiian Christmas with slack key master Kapono Beamer will fill your heart and soul with the Aloha spirit on Christmas Day.  He shares memories of what it was like growing up in the Beamer family, one of Hawaii's most respected musical families, and how they celebrated the holidays.  On his CD, "Great Grandmother, Great Grandson," Kapono plays music inspired by his great grandmother, Helen Desha Beamer.  She was a prominent Hawaiian songwriter in the first half of the 20th century, who was known for her exquisite melodies.

During this half-hour long music special hosted by Heidi Chang, Kapono also performs live, singing "Silent Night" in Hawaiian.  Hawaiian culture is based on the oral tradition.  So Kapono is passing on his family's rich cultural heritage, through his stories and music.  His island roots goes back to the 15th Century.  Kapono also talks story about music and life, and explains how his pop hit, "Only Good Times," ended up on the soundtrack of Hollywood's first big budget surf film, "Big Wednesday," directed by John Milius.

Kapono Beamer is a talented guitarist, singer and songwriter in his own right.  As a member of the Beamer Brothers, one of Hawaii's most popular duos, he helped spark the Hawaiian renaissance in the 70's, creating a new contemporary Hawaiian sound.  The Beamer Brothers “Honolulu City Lights" album remains one of the most successful selling records in the history of Hawaiian music.  In 2006, Kapono’s recording, "Slack Key Dreams of the Ponomoe,” was nominated for a Grammy for Hawaiian Album of the Year.  He is a multiple winner of Hawaii's version of the Grammy Awards, known as the "Na Hoku Hanohano" Awards.

Sad note:  Since this special initially aired, Kapono's grandmother, and also his mother, Nona Beamer, a gifted composer and hula master, have passed away.  But their spirit lives on through Kapono's storytelling, and the depth and beauty of his music.

To learn more about Kapono Beamer, visit his website.