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State Officially Establishes “Brother Joseph Dutton Day”

April 27, 2026

By Celia K. Downes

The state of Hawaii has officially recognized Servant of God Joseph Dutton, the layman who worked alongside Father Damien de Veuster in Kalaupapa and then spent decades ministering to Hansen’s disease patients on the remote Molokai peninsula, by designating April 27 as “Brother Joseph Dutton Day.”

Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2256 into law on Thursday, April 23, after praising Dutton as a “hero” who devoted his life to those diagnosed with Hansen’s disease (also called leprosy).

Bishop Larry Silva and officials with the Joseph Dutton Guild, a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 to promote Dutton’s sainthood cause, were among those present at the state Capitol for the signing.

Also present were lawmakers including state Senate President Ron Kouchi; Sen. Lynn DeCoite, whose district comprises Molokai, East and Upcountry Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe and Molokini; and Rep. Jeanne Kapela, whose district comprises East Hawaii island communities.

DeCoite and Kapela were responsible for championing the measure in their respective chambers this year, finally succeeding in getting the bill passed after previous attempts failed.

“Brother Dutton did not seek recognition at all,” DeCoite said in remarks before the bill signing. “He simply just showed up. … Through his actions he brought dignity, comfort and hope to those who had been isolated from their families and communities.”

Dutton joins Kalaupapa’s two saints, St. Damien and St. Marianne Cope, with official days of recognition in Hawaii. St. Damien de Veuster Day is May 10 (marking the day he arrived on Kalaupapa), and St. Marianne Cope Day is Jan. 23 (the day she was born). Dutton’s day also marks the day he was born.

To watch the ceremony, visit Green’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GovernorHawaii/live_videos.

About Brother Joseph Dutton
Dutton was born Ira Barnes Dutton on April 27, 1843, in Vermont, and was raised in Wisconsin. After a turbulent life that included Civil War service, a failed marriage, alcoholism and other challenges, he converted to Catholicism in 1883 and chose the baptismal name Joseph.

Three years later, inspired by Father Damien’s work, Dutton arrived in Hawaii and never left — devoting the rest of his life to serving the patients in Kalaupapa. Affectionately called “Brother” by Father Damien, Dutton died in Honolulu in 1931.

His grave sits near St. Damien’s grave outside St. Philomena Church in Kalawao.