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Molokai
Molokai--one of the beautiful Hawaiian islands, but in the late nineteenth century, a name synonymous with a desolate leper colony. Kalaupapa, accessible only from the sea, was "The Given Grave," where victims of the dreaded disease were sent to die, exiled in a desperate attempt to halt the spread of this horror newly come to the islands. For the stricken there was no return, no treatment, no cure but the blessed release of death, no hope--until the coming of Father Damien, who fought to bring a measure of human dignity to the suffering. The story of the exiles in Molokai will tell you about Dr. Newman, the scientist who burned with ambition to cure the sick, but did not love them; Keanu, convicted murderer who had loved too well, and who, in a desperate gamble for life, offered himself for a dangerous and terrible medical experiment; Maile, who was afraid to love in the glittering court of King Kalakaua but found the courage to open her heart in the face of death; Caleb, who scoffed at love until the boy Eleu took him by the hand; and the priest who prayed to be made one with the lepers he served.
539 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
79 people are currently reading
5638 people want to read
About the author
O.A. Bushnell
19 books16 followersO. A. (Oswald Andrew) "Ozzy" Bushnell (11 May 1913 - 21 August 2002) was a microbiologist, historian, novelist, and professor at the University of Hawaiʻi. Descended from contract laborers from Portugal and Norway and a mechanic from Italy, he was born in the working-class neighborhood of Kakaʻako. His friends and classmates in the area were Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Hawaiian, and "hapa-haole" [part-white], so he grew up "local," mastering Hawaiian "pidgin" as well as English as his novels attest. As a youngster he developed a love for the cultures of Hawai`i as well as literature and classical music. He graduated in 1934 from the University of Hawaii, where he served as student body president. By 1937 he had earned both his MS and PhD degrees in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin and later worked and taught (1937–40) at George Washington University Medical School in Washington D.C. He returned to Hawai`i in 1940 working for the Department of Health on Kaua`i and Maui before joining the U.S Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Following the war he taught at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, retiring in 1970 as emeritus professor of medical microbiology and medical history. He served as editor in chief of the journal Pacific Science from 1957 through 1967. Married to Elizabeth Jane Krauskopf in 1943, he had two sons, Andrew and Philip and a daughter, Mahealani.
Bushnell's first novel, The Return of Lono, won the Atlantic Monthly's fiction award in 1956, at a time when most books about Hawaiʻi were written by outsiders. Later novels dealt with other aspects of Hawaiʻi's history and he encouraged and inspired many other local writers to tell their own stories. Molokaʻi (1975) tells the story of leprosy patients quarantined at Kalaupapa; Kaʻaʻawa (1972) describes life on Oʻahu in the 1850s, during the great smallpox epidemic when many native Hawaiians were dying of newly introduced diseases; and Stone of Kannon (1979) and its sequel Water of Kane tell about the first Japanese contract laborers who arrived in 1868. In 1974, the Hawaiʻi Literary Arts Council presented him an Award for Literature, saying he "brought life to fact and reality to fiction."
His historical works include "Hawaii: A Pictorial History" (1969) with Joseph Feher and Edward Joesting, "A Walk Through Old Honolulu" (1975), and "A Song of Pilgrimage and Exile: The Life and Spirit of Mother Marianne of Molokai" (1980) with Sister Mary Laurence Hanley, O.S.F.
His last work, Gifts of Civilization: Germs and Genocide in Hawaii (1993), combined his interests in microbiology, Hawaiian history, and literature. It remains the definitive study of how Native Hawaiians, having lived in isolation for centuries, were very nearly wiped out by exposure to newly introduced diseases such as tuberculosis, smallpox, and leprosy.
Bushnell's first novel, The Return of Lono, won the Atlantic Monthly's fiction award in 1956, at a time when most books about Hawaiʻi were written by outsiders. Later novels dealt with other aspects of Hawaiʻi's history and he encouraged and inspired many other local writers to tell their own stories. Molokaʻi (1975) tells the story of leprosy patients quarantined at Kalaupapa; Kaʻaʻawa (1972) describes life on Oʻahu in the 1850s, during the great smallpox epidemic when many native Hawaiians were dying of newly introduced diseases; and Stone of Kannon (1979) and its sequel Water of Kane tell about the first Japanese contract laborers who arrived in 1868. In 1974, the Hawaiʻi Literary Arts Council presented him an Award for Literature, saying he "brought life to fact and reality to fiction."
His historical works include "Hawaii: A Pictorial History" (1969) with Joseph Feher and Edward Joesting, "A Walk Through Old Honolulu" (1975), and "A Song of Pilgrimage and Exile: The Life and Spirit of Mother Marianne of Molokai" (1980) with Sister Mary Laurence Hanley, O.S.F.
His last work, Gifts of Civilization: Germs and Genocide in Hawaii (1993), combined his interests in microbiology, Hawaiian history, and literature. It remains the definitive study of how Native Hawaiians, having lived in isolation for centuries, were very nearly wiped out by exposure to newly introduced diseases such as tuberculosis, smallpox, and leprosy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
January 3, 2012
It's been a while since I've found a book this absorbing. Shockingly informative, the author surfaces a hideous period that too few of us are aware of. The writing is lovely, spare and unsentimental. Informative, engaging, and poignant. A very worthwhile read...
September 11, 2022
If you are interested in Hawaii beyond the beachside glitz, I recommend you read one of O.A. Bushnell's historical novels. I have just finished Molokai, which tells of three people on the same ship to the leper colony at Kalawao and Kalaupapa: two of them (Malie and Caleb) because they showed signs of leprosy, Dr Newman because he was investigating the disease for the Hawaii Board of Health. Cutting through the three chapters named by the characters mentioned above are Father Damien de Veuster (now Saint Damian), the Catholic chaplain, and Keanu, a condemned prisoner who offers to go to Molokai as a research subject rather than be hanged for a murder he committed.
November 6, 2012
I picked up this book because I did not know that Molokai had served as a leper colony, and I was interested in learning more about both the illness and what life may have been like in a leper colony. This book did ont disappoint on either of those fronts. While this is told from the perspective of a fictional character, the disease, the societal fears, and the situations faced by the patients became very real through this book.
Warning - this book will cause tears! I was shocked by the harshness of the quarantine rules, I guess I never realized before that children were ripped from their families, and what that must have done to both the children and the parents and siblings.
It's a long book, but one I was enthralled by, and am very glad I read. I will definitely look for more books by this author.
Warning - this book will cause tears! I was shocked by the harshness of the quarantine rules, I guess I never realized before that children were ripped from their families, and what that must have done to both the children and the parents and siblings.
It's a long book, but one I was enthralled by, and am very glad I read. I will definitely look for more books by this author.
April 19, 2013
This was very interesting in how it relates to the actual history of those with leprosy in the Islands. So hard and sad. What I disliked about this book is the male perspective on a female character. I feel like men write their female characters and lose sight of the differences in men and women. Women do not feel and think the same way as men particularly concerning sex. So I felt this book was tainted. It could have been much better had he written it from a male perspective or tuned in to the way women think and feel a bit more.
October 12, 2011
Loved this book. I cried almost through the whole book. And the author piqued my interest in learning more about Fr. Damien, leprosy and Molokai. I then had to read his other book, Hawaii. Which, by the way was also a good quick read but I cried far less.
October 11, 2012
Loved this book. I'd like to see it made into a movie.
December 12, 2019
Rachel, as leprosy patient, wife and mother, is a captivating character. She is smart and strong, yet vulnerable. Her life story held me from the first pages until the very last word.
January 5, 2020
Simply captivating and heart wrenching. Expect lots of tears.
November 15, 2017
Really interesting historical fiction about the life of a girl diagnosed with leprosy at the age of 6 and banished to the island of Molokai. I learned a lot.
October 31, 2018
One of the best books I've ever read! I definitely will be reading this one again and I never reread books. The knowledge I gained reading this was immense and the characters I grew to care about and hope the best for. Such a sad part of our history, yet I'd never heard about it until I picked up this book. A definite read for all historical fiction fans or anyone who wants an amazing read that is full of life, adventure and the human spirit one doesn't normally see.
May 8, 2012
Historical fiction about the Hawaiian island that became a leper colony a hundred years ago. i learned a lot about Hunter disease.The story centers around the life span of a 6 year old Hawaiian girl taken from her family when she contracts leprosy. Sad and absorbing read.
August 27, 2011
Enjoyed this read a lot! Didn't know about the leper colony on Molokai and enjoyed learning the history through a novel. The story was well written and intriguing.
February 1, 2012
I thought it was a great book - just remember to have a box of tissues close by.
June 14, 2012
This was a read for a newly formed book club and a certain hit. All loved the book ... well written, good descriptions and wonderful plot ...
July 23, 2016
great historical fiction. well researched and well told. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole journey. not for young readers.
December 10, 2017
Holy cow. One of the best books I have read in 5 years. Intense, compelling storytelling with historical base. So much taken from so many. Based on true events. Will never forget this story.
October 12, 2025
A gripping and beautifully written fiction loosely based on true events in the Hawaiian leprosy colony on Molokaʻi in 1884. Bushnell shows deep respect for his home of Hawaiʻi, made clear by his use of old ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (which lacks diacritical marks) and his repeated inclusion of translated mele (Hawaiian songs and chants) to deepen his kanaka characters. His concerted effort to imbue his major characters and narrators with depth in the realms of sexuality, religion, violence, and death feels sympathetic to the voice and narrative of Native Hawaiians, who, at the time of this book’s publishing, had suffered from unscrupulous emasculation for the sake of tourism since the overthrow of 1893. You rarely read fiction set during this bygone but well-missed time in Hawaiʻi, and in that I must contend it’s a very fair and pleasant read. I will definitely be reading more of Bushnell’s novels for his clear love of Hawaiʻi and its history.
However, having read this through the lens of an amateur historian of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, some of Bushnell’s characters are unfortunately mischaracterized—especially the wahine (women) and particularly the wahine moʻi (female royalty). It is a shame that Queen Kapiʻolani and Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani feel more like props to the main male characters than loving representations of themselves, and that they seem somewhat out of character compared to their real-life counterparts. Still, because this is fiction, and because his characters clearly held disdain for them (admitting as much), I’ll concede the choice as a literary device.
SPOILERS
The most egregious and somewhat unforgivable aspect (hence the four stars) is his characterization of Malie, who is supposed to be of high birth, descended from the great chief Kahekili of Maui. Unfortunately, he completely retcons the actual historical figure of Peter Young Kaʻeo into Peter Kahekili, a descendant of that chiefly line and the first uncle to Malie. Without explaining the entire genealogical tree, if Bushnell had stayed closer to genealogical reality—depending on who Malie’s father was—she would actually have descended from the Kamehamehas.
What’s interesting is that the major characters Keanu, Dr. Newman, and Caleb were based on real people. While Keanu did have a wife, I doubt there is much historical record of this woman. Thus, I believe Bushnell necessarily fictionalized Malie, who, unfortunately, revolves around the men rather than standing profoundly on her own. Because of this, Malie’s best story beat is the curse she believes she inherited as a descendant of Kahekili—but as I mentioned, this fails for me because I know the true history of her uncle Peter. Consequently, related characters like Momona are flattened somewhat, since the true Peter Kaʻeo did not die on Molokaʻi but returned to Oʻahu to resume his government duties. I think it would’ve been both more accurate and more literarily powerful if Malie had been allowed to be a Kamehameha descendant, as it would make her relationship with Keanu even more compelling, given that he is often portrayed as the Kamehameha figure among the cast.
END SPOILERS
Still, it’s a great piece of literature for readers unfamiliar—or even familiar—with the Molokaʻi leprosy colony.
However, having read this through the lens of an amateur historian of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, some of Bushnell’s characters are unfortunately mischaracterized—especially the wahine (women) and particularly the wahine moʻi (female royalty). It is a shame that Queen Kapiʻolani and Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani feel more like props to the main male characters than loving representations of themselves, and that they seem somewhat out of character compared to their real-life counterparts. Still, because this is fiction, and because his characters clearly held disdain for them (admitting as much), I’ll concede the choice as a literary device.
SPOILERS
The most egregious and somewhat unforgivable aspect (hence the four stars) is his characterization of Malie, who is supposed to be of high birth, descended from the great chief Kahekili of Maui. Unfortunately, he completely retcons the actual historical figure of Peter Young Kaʻeo into Peter Kahekili, a descendant of that chiefly line and the first uncle to Malie. Without explaining the entire genealogical tree, if Bushnell had stayed closer to genealogical reality—depending on who Malie’s father was—she would actually have descended from the Kamehamehas.
What’s interesting is that the major characters Keanu, Dr. Newman, and Caleb were based on real people. While Keanu did have a wife, I doubt there is much historical record of this woman. Thus, I believe Bushnell necessarily fictionalized Malie, who, unfortunately, revolves around the men rather than standing profoundly on her own. Because of this, Malie’s best story beat is the curse she believes she inherited as a descendant of Kahekili—but as I mentioned, this fails for me because I know the true history of her uncle Peter. Consequently, related characters like Momona are flattened somewhat, since the true Peter Kaʻeo did not die on Molokaʻi but returned to Oʻahu to resume his government duties. I think it would’ve been both more accurate and more literarily powerful if Malie had been allowed to be a Kamehameha descendant, as it would make her relationship with Keanu even more compelling, given that he is often portrayed as the Kamehameha figure among the cast.
END SPOILERS
Still, it’s a great piece of literature for readers unfamiliar—or even familiar—with the Molokaʻi leprosy colony.
October 13, 2025
I have read several books about Kalaupapa— both fiction and non-fiction— and while this isn’t the best of them, I came though it glad that I had read it.
This is a fictional work told in three parts from three different points of view. It’s a bit hard to get through part one because it is told from the perspective of the racist white doctor who came from Europe to what was then the Kingdom of Hawaii to help work in a cure for leprosy. It takes place during the brief period after Dr Hansen had isolated the leprosy bacteria but before scientists had developed that into a cure or even a test. So, still patients were being shipped to the Kalaupapa settlement to essentially die.
The book starts improving in part two, when you start seeing the same plot told from the perspective of a native Hawaiian woman also sent to Kalaupapa. You get some details not seen in the first part, as well as insight into how native Hawaiians saw the actions of the white colonizers. There is also some delving into the Hawaiian spiritual customs that some of peers would still have recalled practicing during this time.
Part three is told from the perspective of a seemingly antagonistic hapa man who the reader starts to see is battling demons of his own. He struggles with the choice between native Hawaiian spiritually and colonizer Christianity. He also wrestles with his feelings toward white colonization versus charity toward individual white sufferers.
I’m glad I stuck through the book because it did turn out to cover lots of nuanced experiences.
This is a fictional work told in three parts from three different points of view. It’s a bit hard to get through part one because it is told from the perspective of the racist white doctor who came from Europe to what was then the Kingdom of Hawaii to help work in a cure for leprosy. It takes place during the brief period after Dr Hansen had isolated the leprosy bacteria but before scientists had developed that into a cure or even a test. So, still patients were being shipped to the Kalaupapa settlement to essentially die.
The book starts improving in part two, when you start seeing the same plot told from the perspective of a native Hawaiian woman also sent to Kalaupapa. You get some details not seen in the first part, as well as insight into how native Hawaiians saw the actions of the white colonizers. There is also some delving into the Hawaiian spiritual customs that some of peers would still have recalled practicing during this time.
Part three is told from the perspective of a seemingly antagonistic hapa man who the reader starts to see is battling demons of his own. He struggles with the choice between native Hawaiian spiritually and colonizer Christianity. He also wrestles with his feelings toward white colonization versus charity toward individual white sufferers.
I’m glad I stuck through the book because it did turn out to cover lots of nuanced experiences.
July 6, 2017
It's a grim prognosis when you are diagnosed with leprosy and are shipped off to Moloka'i to live out your days there as the family shame, especially when you are a child of 7. This is Rachel's fate, just like her uncle who has preceded her to the colony on Moloka'i after his adult onset diagnosis. Rachel's newfound family cares for her and loves her as a daughter but she is so lonely for her real family. It is a community not unlike other communities except that the disease is a deft and swift killer. Rachel's father is a merchant seaman and visits whenever he can and writes her letters. Somehow, Rachel's leprosy grows slowly and when she comes of age she meets Kenji, a Japanese leper who falls in love with Rachel. Kenji and Rachel marry and have a daughter together knowing that their daughter will be taken from them immediately, before she contracts the disease. After sulfur drugs have been successfully treating leprosy for awhile, Rachel is allowed to leave the island and goes in search for her daughter that Rachel is sure will reject her for her leprosy. The tale is sad but not maudlin and filled with a lot of hope. It's a lovely story of a spunky resilient child grown into a woman of grace.
June 29, 2020
An interesting book with some unique characters.
One of my all-time favorite books is "Molokai" by Alan Brennert. So I was intrigued when I found out that there was another book about the leper colony on Molokai, written several decades earlier, and has as a main character the famous Father Damien of said leper colony.
This book goes about telling the leper colony's story a bit differently than Brennert's book. While Brennert tells an epic tale of one woman's life before and after leprosy, Bushnell (apparently a noted scholar on all things Hawaii) tells the stories of a doctor who treats leprosy (though not necessarily lepers themselves) and several native Hawaiians who have various reasons for being there. Father Damien is a prominent figure in the but not a main character.
The interweaving of their stories is fascinating, as Bushnell is an adept story-teller. And I guarantee that you will be Googling parts of it!
One of my all-time favorite books is "Molokai" by Alan Brennert. So I was intrigued when I found out that there was another book about the leper colony on Molokai, written several decades earlier, and has as a main character the famous Father Damien of said leper colony.
This book goes about telling the leper colony's story a bit differently than Brennert's book. While Brennert tells an epic tale of one woman's life before and after leprosy, Bushnell (apparently a noted scholar on all things Hawaii) tells the stories of a doctor who treats leprosy (though not necessarily lepers themselves) and several native Hawaiians who have various reasons for being there. Father Damien is a prominent figure in the but not a main character.
The interweaving of their stories is fascinating, as Bushnell is an adept story-teller. And I guarantee that you will be Googling parts of it!
December 10, 2018
This is a powerful story of historical fiction that takes place on the Hawaiian Island of Molokai. This is where people diagnosed with leprosy were sent to live out their lives in exiled quarantine from their families and society during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Rachel is 7 years old when she is ripped from her family and sent to live out her years in exile. This is a heart wrenching portrayal of tremendous loss but also of tremendous love. Definitely recommend it.
February 12, 2020
I really appreciate historical fiction that gains me new insight into events that I'd not understood fully or not thought through. This was a book club pick that I'd been interested to read. I tend to love anything about historical Hawaii as long as it's not too dry. This is an Island I knew very little about with a complicated history that I'm happy to understand more about. It was a good read spanning the history of leprosy coming to Hawaii until a cure was found.
December 19, 2023
Excellent writing style: clear, sincere, unsentimental. The story is told through three different characters, and their voices and thoughts are distinct from one another. How does the author understand the humanity so well? He must have had a high level of curiosity, imagination, and empathy. Yes, this author has empathy like no other. These characters, especially the two males, are troubled and unsympathetic... yet by the end, we see humanity in them, too. Bravo.
Too long, though.
Too long, though.
December 31, 2017
I enjoyed this book. As an RN I am always fascinated my medical issues in prior centuries and how they dealt with them. It is sad to think that someone can be sent away, even in such a beautiful place as Hawaii, and not have any idea what the future holds. I just can’t imagine what Rachel went through, always being pushed away because of her disease. Beautiful story.
January 23, 2018
This book broke my heart and I was forced to cry more than several times. But I still found this book heart-touching and absolutely amazing. To feel the persons losses and pain, it’s amazing. It was also heartbreaking to read the perspective of a young girl sent to an island, isolated, because she has leprosy. This is truly the most amazing book I have ever read.
May 23, 2018
vivid descriptions & great flow with the switching points of view. interesting storyline once you get used to the old-style language. the flow could've been improved if it story didn't start at the same time period. feels like reading the same story over & over again cause of all the subsequent events are the same just from a diff perspective. I would've given this book three stars if Caleb' s story didn't exist. he contained to much backstory about his life that didn't move the story forward & his spiritual conversion was very confusing like a fever dream
November 9, 2018
Molokai is one of the Hawaiian Islands that was used as a leper colony. When people were sent there they never returned to society unless their symptoms were eradicated. This novel is a lovely, heart warming story of the people who lived there, and their deep loves and tremendous losses. I loved this book and felt as though I were living amidst the wonderful people.
April 27, 2019
What a well written historical novel about a part of Hawaiian history that was new to me. Early in the book I wondered why I was reading such a tough story, but in at the end, realized I did not want Rachel's story to end. She felt like a friend I didn't want to let go. The author brings in important historical events in a way that educates, yet they enhance the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2019
I actually don’t remember the exact date I read this book. I do remember I picked it for book club and it is a great read. Fascinating historical fiction about one of the small Hawaiian islands being a place for a leper colony. I’m about to read the next book (it’s 2019 now) called daughter of Molokai
December 27, 2019
Book Club pick
The quarantine of lepers in Hawaii, fascinating history. I've read other accounts where the colony was really more like the Wild West so this felt like white-washed history, but it's set after the colony is established so maybe it was actually a bit better by that time.
Unimaginable that this history is not that long ago and we just really had nothing to help these poor people.
The quarantine of lepers in Hawaii, fascinating history. I've read other accounts where the colony was really more like the Wild West so this felt like white-washed history, but it's set after the colony is established so maybe it was actually a bit better by that time.
Unimaginable that this history is not that long ago and we just really had nothing to help these poor people.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews