Cap’s Off to You! – Makia Malo (Posthumously) and Celebrating Story

Featuring: Makia Malo

Fabulous “Talk Story” Artist; Compassionate Leader; Advocate

Makia Malo’s favorite word in life was “fabulous.” So many of his stories and memoirs surround his childhood starting at age 12 to adulthood with Hansen’s Disease that used to be known as leprosy. He was clear to tell people that using the word “leper” was offensive and the positive words to use instead. While Makia received treatment at Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement on Molokai, three other siblings and his mothers were also diagnosed with Hansen’s Disease.

Makia had the opportunity to enroll in high school. He hesitated as he did not wish to be separated from his siblings at the same hospital. Makia was reminded at how proud his parents would be for him to graduate. Not only did Makia graduate, but he became valedictorian in 1952.

Then, by age 30, he became blind. This was his lowest time of his life as he had already suffered so much. By 1972 when he was age 37, he enrolled at UH-Manoa. He had lost his fingers and parts of his feet due to Hansen’s Disease and could not use Braille. Makia relied on people speaking aloud his lessons or recordings. But Makia enthusiasm for life came back.

As time went on, Makia learned about storytelling. From the Midweek article, we learn this moment of when Makia Malo (with English name Elroy Malo) met storyteller Jeff Gere:

“Jeff Gere came over and saw me outside. He said, ‘What’s your name?’ I said Elroy Malo.”

“‘Mr. Malo, would you like to come tell stories with me?,’ he said. “‘Tell stories, I don’t know how to tell stories,’ I said. “‘Yes, you do, I heard you by your apartment,’ he says. “‘I wasn’t telling stories, I was only talking story,’ I said. “Jeff tells me that’s the same thing. Turned out to be just that. I started doing storytelling with him, going to different places around town.”

With Pamela Young, Makia Malo wrote a book called “My Name is Makia: A Memoir of Kalaupapa.” He traveled the world telling stories and having his book available to inspire others.

During all this time, he was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. People of different faiths respected him. An article in the Hawaii Catholic Herald among others honored him when Makia passed on.

He still makes a difference today. He established “Malo’s scholarship” in 2002 that continues and provides assistance to young Hawaiians who want to become doctors, lawyers or dentists.

If you have links to add – video, audio, articles – please share by emailing info@storycrossroads.org or commenting on this blog post.

You can see more details on Makia Malo with the Story Artists Memorial.

Do you know a Story Artist who has passed on and want others to remember them? Memories? Pictures? You can submit names and memories of Story Artists who have passed on through our online form. 

I appreciate Makia Malo for seeking to do what is right for his family and community. He lived his life in such a way that people naturally are inspired by him. I’ve been to Hawaii once due to a storytelling retreat headed by Jeff Gere, the same man who got Makia on the path to “talk story” with others. I feel a connection to Makia despite never meeting him. But I have walked in the places he has been. It feels sacred.

Makia Malo still has a story. You have a story. We all have stories.