[2] In the late 1880s, he found he had contracted leprosy and fled to Kalalau Valley leading a number of other lepers.

Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the Provisional Government forcibly relocated many lepers.

In 1893, deputy sheriff Louis H. Stolz attempted to capture the lepers but was shot and killed by Kaluai Koolau.

Kauai organized the colony members for the repercussions.

At the age of 68 and crippled by the disease, Kauai attempted to hide from the soldiers by crawling under his bed.