Question

11 of the remaining Hawaii residents who were sent to the leper colony at a time when Hawaii still quarantined those diagnosed with leprosy are called:

(A) Kalaupapa ohana
(B) Damien's lepers
(C) Molokai exiles
(D) Hansen's disease survivors

Answer 1

The remaining Hawaii residents sent to the leper colony are called Hansen's disease survivors, referring to their experience at Kalaupapa and the medical nature of their condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Hawaiī's history, a leprosy colony was established in Kalaupapa, where those diagnosed with leprosy, now known as Hansen's disease, were sent and quarantined. This practice was due to the lack of medical knowledge about the disease and a culture of fear surrounding its communicability. The Mycobacterium leprae bacterium causes Hansen's disease, which led to stigma and the forceful isolation of those afflicted into colonies apart from the general population.

These colonies were designed as a measure to prevent the spread of what was then considered a deadly condition. Over time, as medical understanding evolved, it became clear that Hansen's disease is not highly contagious, as roughly 95% of the human population has natural immunity against it. Despite the change in understanding, the historical impact on those who were isolated remains significant. The people who lived through such times in the leper colony and survived are referred to as Hansen's disease survivors, recognizing both their experience and the medical nature of their condition.