Bernard Punikaiʻa
Resident and musician who was sent to Kalaupapa as a child; appears in archival interviews and recordings recounting his life, music, and advocacy related to Hansen's disease.
Best podcasts with Bernard Punikaiʻa
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Nov 12, 2025 • 45min
Hawai‘i: Yo-Yo Ma on Moloka‘i
Bernard Punikaiʻa, a musician and advocate who lived in Kalaupapa due to Hansen's disease, shares his powerful life story and the role of music in building community. Mikiʻala Pescaia, a Molokaʻi native and U.S. Park Service employee, explains the cultural significance of mana and leads listeners through sacred sites like the kukui grove. Together with reflections on Yo-Yo Ma's performance, they honor the resilience of Kalaupapa residents and discuss the importance of memory and memorialization.
