The Statue of Father Damien.

Father Damien’s path to official sainthood began in 1977, when the pope declared him “venerable”, the first step to canonization.  Along the way two miracles were attributed to the loving spirit of Father Damien, including the miraculous 1997 recovery of Audrey Toguchi, a Hawaiian woman suffering from incurable cancer.  After praying at Father Damien’s gravesite on Molokai, Audrey experienced a complete recovery – almost overnight.  Father Damien was officially declared Saint Damien of Molokai on October 11 of 2009.  The Father Damien sculpture on Paia is not only a work of art in its own right, it represents a life well-lived in the service of others.  It is a great place to stop and appreciate all the good to be found in our fellow human beings, and also to count our own blessings as we continue our journey down the Road to Hana. Check with Hana Picnic Co for directions.