Damien Canonization and the Visitor Experience

“We all have a mutual interest in the canonization of Father Damien,” said County Council Chair and Molokai representative Danny Mateo at a Damien planning meeting last Wednesday. “Our mutual interest is the survival of Molokai. It’s not a catholic thing, it’s a people thing, and we need to come together in this planning process.” Over two dozen individuals of varying professions from visitor services, to National Parks, to the Catholic Parish, did just that. They came together to share ideas about how Molokai can both give and receive in this unique opportunity of sainthood, and honor what Father Damien worked so hard to achieve.