ISOEPA Historical Memorial

"(Engraved in W. side) IOSEPA HISTORICAL MEMORIAL This hallowed place was dedicated on August 28, 1890 by President Wilford Woodruff for all the nations in the isles of the seas, the Polynesian pioneers, their descendants and the faithful Church leaders who left their home in the mid 1800's and migrated to this gathering place in Zion to be married in the holy Temple for time and eternity. For 28 years (1889-1917) Iosepa was their home. In spite of the climate, isolation, loneliness, sickness, hardship and death, their faith and courage never faltered. They overcame the cold winter, the summer heat, enjoyed the new life of spring and the bounteous harvest of the fall. Their native songs and dances filled this beautiful valley, which they made "bloom as a rose," with love and aloha. A few remained in Utah, some on this consecrated spot, while the rest returned home to their beloved isles of the sea. The seeds of our Polynesian pioneers bore fruit in Hawaii- the Laie Temple, Brigham Young University - Hawaii, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Holy Temples stand firm in New Zealand, Western Samoa, Tonga, and Tahiti as monuments to the testimonies of the faithful Polynesian pioneers. We close this memory with their song of love: Iosepa Kuu Home Aloha Iosepa My Home of Love Iosepa Kuahiwi Ika Nani Iosepa With its Beautiful Mountains Iosepa Ka Home No Ka'oi Iosepa My Best Home (List of Donors...) (USHS Marker, West side center bottom) IOSEPA SETTLEMENT CEMETERY The Iosepa Community developed after Polynesian converts to the Mormon faith were employed as laborers by the Iosepa Agricultural and Stock Company in 1989. After numerous hardships, including bouts with leprosy, the colony attained a degree of financial independence and its population reached 228. In 1915 when the L.D.S. Church began to build the Hawaiian Temple, the need for "gathering" subsided. The Iosepa project was allowed to end and most of the settlers and their children returned to the Islands by 1917. N-38 (East side) ADMINISTRATION Harvey H. Cluff 1889-1890 & 1893-1900 William King 1890-1892 Thomas A. Waddoups 1901-1917 Original settlers...List follows beginning with Harvey H. Cluff.....Harvey Alapa Maponaki Here lie the honored Polynesian pioneers who have sealed their testimonies in the dust, that God lives, Jesus is the Christ, all the presidents of the Church are Prophets of God, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. There are 79 graves in the cemetery. Only the names listed below are recorded, the rest are unknown honored souls. (List of names follows) Built by willing hands and loving hearts. (West side on ground in front of monument) IOSEPA HISTORICAL SOCIETY TIME CAPSULRE 2.5' Square granite piece"

See: http://history.utah.gov/apps/markers/detailed_results.php?markerid=3234