No Footprints in the Sand: A Memoir of Kalaupapa

by Henry Nalaielua and Sally-Jo Keala-O-Anuenue Bowman

Book Overview

The sand beach that stretches nearly a mile beyond the Kalaupapa wharf was always laid smooth by the tide. Hansen's disease plays havoc with feet, ulcerating them, crippling them. Such feet walk... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0977914305
• ISBN13: 9780977914302
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Watermark Publishing
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Hope and courage in adversity

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (3/07) This is an amazing story. It is Henry's story. Henry Nalielua, diagnosed with Hansen's disease at the age of ten, was branded leprous. "No Footprints in the Sand" is an important memoir. It tells of the journey that took Henry from a sugar plantation community on the Island of Hawaii to Kalaupapa, a remote settlement on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. Nalaielua's story is inspiring. Even in exile, with lifelong medical and physical challenges and isolation from his family, he faced life with hope, perseverance, courage, and humor. Henry learned to draw and paint. He became an artist. Henry loved music and mastered the ukulele and upright bass. He became a musician. Henry's mind was sharp. He was determined and quick-to-learn. He became an historian. Henry has also served on numerous public agency advisory boards. When the facility at Kalaupapa was named a National Historic Park, Henry became a guide for park visitors. He still resides at Kalaupapa Co-author Sally-Jo Bowman worked determinedly over a period of years to help bring Henry's story to publication. She first met Henry in 1995, when he helped her with on-site research at Kaluapapa for several magazine articles about the Hansen's disease colony. Henry's story is unforgettable. It is told with intimacy and openness. "No Footprints in the Sand" is a heartwarming memoir that will inspire anyone facing adversity, long term illness, or needing encouragement. This was a very positive reading experience.

It stirred emotions in the same way as Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist"

In his powerful first book, "Uncle Henry" Nalaielua tells a story that has rarely been told, of a dark moment of Hawai'i's history; not from the distant viewpoint of the historian, but from the first-person testimony of its survivor. With honesty, humor and vivid detail, Henry's courageous tale touched my soul, so profoundly, that I kept wanting to know more. I couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting, wishing that it wouldn't end. It stirred emotions in the same way as Paulo Coelho's, "The Alchemist," in its message of following one's dream, despite all obstacles. (Except, this is no fable; it is a real life piece.) Along with his brilliant co-author, Sally-Jo Bowman, he weaves an intimate story of strength and perserverence, which will surely be known for decades to come as one of the islands' finest mo`olelo. This is a must read for everyone and makes for a wonderful gift. It will touch you in surprising ways, and make you want to meet this incredible man and the spiritual place that he would finally call, "home."

Henry, a rascal, can-do kanaka (Hawaiian man)

I've now given away so many copies of No Footprints that I should have bought a dozen or twenty at wholesale. Henry's is an amazing story of a kolohe kanaka - naughty Hawaiian - who had the misfortune to contract a dreaded disease in 1936. Sally-Jo Bowman's input makes it a fascinating read. Sounds just like Henry sat down and wrote it all by himself, but we know it doesn't work that way. I chuckled at Henry's can-do attitude. Man after my own heart. I'm glad the book includes all his Casanova events. What a guy, a real renaissance kanaka kane - Hawaiian man. Great title!

A powerful reading experience

Henry's authentic Hawaiian sensibility and voice walked all the way through his memoir into my heart. This book is the footprint denied him by Hansen's disease and the sands of Kalaupapa. The history was previously unknown to me, so I was shocked at times and outraged on his behalf, but I always trusted his courage, humor, and rebellious resourcefulness. I couldn't wait to see which way Henry would spin in order to stick the next landing. He's a man I'm proud to have met, if only in print. A bit of Henry goes with me now to see how many ways I, too, can accept or face down obstacles. (--posted on behalf of P.J. Hyatt)

Great Writing About Native Hawaiians

The author Sally Jo Bowman captures Henry's voice beautifully. This is a book that once started, is difficult to put down. There is something remarkable about the story-telling here: despite the tragic circumstances, there isn't a sense of pity or victimhood in Nalielua's voice, or in Bowman's writing. This is some of the best writing about native Hawaiians, by native Hawaiians, that I've read in a while. Hats off to Watermark for publishing this wonderful book -- and to Henry for telling his story, and to Sally Jo for finding the perfect words