He was diagnosed with Hansen's disease (leprosy) when he was 21 years old, and was soon banished to Molokai, Hawaii.
He served as sheriff, local historian, and spokesman for the "leper colony". Beginning in 1966, he and his wife Gloria operated the area's only tour service, Damien Tours, named after Father Damien.
He educated tourists about Hansen's disease and the ostracism faced by patients. He was a leading figure in helping Hawaii end its 104-year policy of forced quarantine of people with leprosy. He was also active in getting Kalaupapa designated as a national historic park in 1986.