The Leper War on Kauai also known as the Koolau Rebellion, Battle of Kalalau or the short name, the Leper War. Following the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, the stricter government enforced the 1865 "Act to Prevent the Spread of Leprosy" carried out by Attorney General and President of the Board of Health William Owen Smith. A revolt broke out in Kauai, against the forced relocation of all infected by the disease to the Kalaupapa Leprosy Colony of Kalawao on the island of Molokai.
Background
The Leper War started when Louis H. Stoltz, a deputy sheriff, attempted to force an isolated leprosy colony in Kalalau Valley, Kauai to be deported. He was shot and killed by a leper named Kaluaikoolau known as "Ko'olau" on June 27, 1893.
In an effort to preserve Hawaii's economy, the Republic of Hawaii decided to put in an effort to control leprosy. Their wish was to transfer anyone who had the disease to the island of Molokai and seclude them from the rest of the population. On June 24, 1893, Deputy Sheriff Louis H. Stolz, along with two other policemen by the names of Penikila and Peter Noland, sailed to Kalalau to enforce the quarantine law to relocate lepers to Kalaupapa. They stayed at the house of a resident on the coast of Kalalau. The policemen spent the next day devising a strategy for their task. On Monday, 26th, Stoltz's group ventured deep into the valley where they pitched a tent. Shortly after they established themselves a band of lepers led by Ko'olau seized the camp and chased the lawmen back to the coast. The following day Ko'olau intended to drive the sheriffs out of the valley. Ko'olau with his wife Piilani found Stoltz approaching the residence of a man named Kala. Stoltz had already arrested one man by the name of Paoa who was in handcuffs and was about to arrest Kala. Stoltz had Kala at gunpoint when Kala rushed to the door of his house and Ko'olau put Stoltz at his gunpoint in defense of Kala. According to Piilani, Ko'olau tripped in the process of maneuvering during the standoff. In the process of the stumble Ko'olau's rifle discharged wounding Stoltz. Paoa took the opportunity to pummel Stoltz utilizing his handcuffed wrists on the sheriff. Stoltz reclaimed his rifle and weakly got to his feet. Ko'olau fired once more dispatching Stoltz before he could bring his rifle to bear on his enemies.
Kalalau Expedition
The killing was received by President Sanford B. Dole as an offence to the new government. Following the killing, Marshal Edward G. Hitchcock dispatched the Kalalau Expedition commanded by Captain William Larsen comprising a 35-man platoon from the National Guard of Hawaii, a howitzer, and representative of the Board of Health, Executive Officer Charles B. Reynolds. The men were transported to Kalalau by the Waialeale. They first stopped at Hanalei on June 30 to get information about the situation in Kalalau. They found that police were guarding the paths between Hanalei and Kalalau. At this point, they were informed of the proclaimed martial law that all lepers were to be imprisoned within 24 hours, and after this time is up, they were to be taken dead or alive if they had not yet complied.
Ko'olau was to lead a party of 12 armed with six rifles and six pistols. The party included himself, his son Kaleimanu, his wife Piilani being one of two women of the group, and Paoa. At the last moment Ko'olau decided to leave his group with the belief the party would be pursued more vigorously because of him. Piilani refused to go with the group and stayed with her husband despite his protests, Kaleimanu also went with Ko'olau to stay with his parents.
Landing
The Waialeale arrived at Kalalau July 1. Fifteen soldiers landed at noon in two skiffs without incident, only encountering civilians. Finding the shore safe the rest of the expedition was delivered and set up camp a mile inland. Soldiers were sent to guard the stream and the colony was searched finding leper leader Reverend Kapahei "Judge" Kauai, three lepers were captured from a cave on the coast and a leper collaborator.