WASHINGTON — Congress yesterday completed passage of a massive land preservation bill that includes a memorial to the thousands of people with leprosy who were exiled to Moloka'i's Kalaupapa Peninsula.

The memorial would list the names of about 8,000 people who were taken from their homes between 1866 and 1969 and isolated at Kalaupapa because of what is now known as Hansen's disease.

About 6,700 of them were buried at Kalaupapa in unmarked graves.

Ka 'Ohana O Kalaupapa, a group of Hansen's disease patients, relatives and friends, would cover the memorial's cost. The interior secretary would have final approval of the monument's design, size, inscriptions and location.

"We're happy it's finally going to become a reality," said Valerie Monson, a spokeswoman for Ka 'Ohana O Kalaupapa. "We've been working on this for years. When President Obama signs this bill, he'll know what Kalaupapa is all about."

Obama grew up in Hawai'i.

The House legislation — introduced by Democratic Rep. Mazie Hirono — establishing the memorial is part of a massive public lands bill that sets aside more than 2 million acres as protected land. It's the largest expansion of wilderness preservation in 15 years.

"While the memories of the events that transpired in Kalaupapa are still painful, it is my hope the Kalaupapa memorial will help bring a sense of peace and closure to family members and loved ones who remain," Hirono said.

The legislation combines 150 separate measures, some of them increasing protections on lands already set aside as national parks and forests, scenic rivers and national historic sites.

The House passed the bill 285-140 yesterday. It now goes to Obama.

The overall bill is a boon for backpackers but a disappointment to those who like to see wild places via mountain bike, snowmobile or four-wheel-drive vehicle, which are all now barred from designated areas.

Some Republicans opposed the legislation because it locks away vast expanses of land from development and restricts hunting, fishing and energy exploration.

Some of the largest protected areas include California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Oregon's Mount Hood, Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park and some of the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia.

Wednesday's vote came two weeks after the House rejected the bill amid a partisan dispute over gun rights. The measure was brought up again in the Senate and approved last week, setting up yesterday's vote.

Contact John Yaukey at jyaukey@gannett.com.