Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Two tragedies occurred on the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north shore of the island of Moloka`i; the first was the removal of indigenous people in 1865 and 1895, the second was the forced isolation of sick people to this remote place from 1866 until 1969. The removal of Hawaiians from where they had lived for 900 years cut the cultural ties and associations of generations of people with the `aina (land). The establishment of an isolation settlement, first at Kalawao and then at Kalaupapa, tore apart Hawaiian society as the kingdom, and subsequently, the territory of Hawai`i tried to control a feared disease. The impact of broken connections with the `aina and of family members "lost" to Kalaupapa are still felt in Hawai`i today.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park, established in 1980, contains the physical setting for these stories. Within its boundaries are the historic Hansen's disease settlements of Kalaupapa and Kalawao. The community of Kalaupapa, on the leeward side of Kalaupapa Peninsula, is still home for many surviving Hansen's disease patients, whose memories and experiences are cherished values. In Kalawao on the windward side of the peninsula are the churches of Siloama, established in 1866, and Saint Philomena, associated with the work of Father Damien (Joseph De Veuster).

Kalaupapa National Historical Park
PO Box 2222
Kalaupapa, HI 96742
(808) 567-6802 - Headquarters

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

Recommended Activities
Kalaupapa National Historical Park is administered in cooperation with several Hawai`i state agencies. All visitors to the park must receive a permit from the Department of Health to enter the Kalaupapa settlement. The commercial tour company arranges the permit for their customers. Guests of residents have their permits arranged by their sponsor.

Reservations are required for commercial tours of the settlement, mule rides on the trail, and air flights. Visitors are encouraged to make these reservations in advance.

The National Park Service does not offer any regularly scheduled interpretive programs or activities because of the restricted nature of visitation to the park, and because tours are offered through a commercial service.

Available opportunities are different for visitors on a commercial tour and for guests of residents. Visitors on tours can visit Kalaupapa and Kalawao. Guests of residents can swim and snorkel, fish, picnic, and walk through Kalaupapa settlement unescorted. Whales can often be seen from November to March. Migratory birds from Alaska are present during the winter months.