A 750-foot stretch of New York’s 33rd Street is now Father Damien Way in honor of the 19th-century Roman Catholic priest who ministered to thousands of Hansen’s disease patients on Molokai’s Kalaupapa Peninsula.
Representatives from Hawaii, including a state legislator and two Kalaupapa residents, were in Manhattan last week for the street-naming ceremony. Also in attendance were members of the Catholic Diocese of Hawaii as well as Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York.
The government of Flanders, the area of Belgium where St. Damien, born Joseph de Veuster, was raised, organized the event held near Bellevue Hospital, where patients are still treated for Hansen’s disease.
In a news release, state Sen. J. Kalani English (D, East Maui-Upcountry-Molokai-Lanai) said, "Saint Damien’s selfless work caring for Hansen’s disease patients in Kalaupapa on the island of Moloka‘i is an inspiration for all of us." He added that Damien, who was canonized in 2009, "embraced people that were segregated and thrown away."
Fires char areas of Hawaii island and Valley Isle
Firefighters on Maui and Hawaii island kept overnight watch on the remains of two large brush fires in Lahainaluna and Honokaa, respectively.
The Maui fire blackened seven acres below Lahainaluna High School on Saturday.
The fire was first reported at about 4:35 p.m. Saturday. Shifting wind prevented firefighters from containing the blaze before it moved downslope, eventually stopping at a fence line roughly 50 feet away from Princess Nahienaena Elementary School.
A shift in the wind later pushed the fire upslope, where it progressed toward Kahoma Stream Gulch.
No damage was reported to any structure, but six electrical poles were scorched.
Firefighters contained the fire at 9:17 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday firefighters returned to douse smoldering remains along the periphery and within some of the burned areas.
Maui Fire Department officials said partially buried organic material, trash and abandoned vehicles hampered the effort. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
On Hawaii island, firefighters spent much of Saturday afternoon battling a 10-acre brush fire in a farm area of Honokaa.
When firefighters arrived at 1:55 p.m., the fire, fanned by wind, was burning through fields of tall grass, fire officials said in a news release.
The first unit to arrive at Kalopa Makai Road slowed the progress of the blaze. A county helicopter and ground units extinguished the fire at 5 p.m.
Two personnel remained overnight to monitor hot spots and secure the area.
