If only houses could talk. Auntie Gloria threw boisterous parties. The residents of Kalaupapa live in a unique, protected community on a remote peninsula jutting out from the tallest sea cliffs in the world on Moloka’i in Hawaii. The painting shows Auntie Gloria’s house with graves in the yard at sunset and warm light emanating from the windows, celebrating the depth of the human spirit in life and death.

Every afternoon at the same time Auntie Gloria climbed in her rusty old pick-up to drive to familiar street corners where of stray cats lounged around waiting for food.

Residents knew to avoid certain roads during Auntie’s forays. She used the grassy edges to determine when she left the pavement, because even though she was fully blind, cats were depending on her.

The former Leprosy colony started as a place of exile where lawlessness and cruelty reigned. Eventually, Catholic priests and nuns built hospitals, schools and churches. Other health workers followed and a number of historic churches remain. Humanity redefined the settlement, Hansen’s disease (formerly leprosy) survivors won the right to stay and be cared for in Kalaupapa. The residents live by their own gentle rules, including allowing a blind woman to drive on public roads to feed cats.

To this day the stray cats are still regularly fed, still waiting patiently at intersections where Auntie Gloria used to find them.

To purchase a print of this painting please write to clbnyart@gmail.com for a list of sizes available and prices. The original has been sold. I answer all mail personally.