KALAUPAPA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Established as a unit in the National Park Service on December 22, 1980, Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the island of Molokai, preserves the history and stories of those people afflicted with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) who were banished to the Kalaupapa peninsula between 1866-1969, by Hawaiian Islands King Kamehameha V. Since 1866 over 8,000 people died at Kalaupapa, however the discovery of sulfone drugs in the 1940s rendered the disease inactive. This forced isolation ended in 1969, but many of the patient-residents continued to call Kalaupapa home and continue to live their lives in the settlement. A National Historic Landmark District, Kalaupapa is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Location & Local Communities: Due to patient-residents still living on the island, access to Kalaupapa is limited. Unless you are sponsored by a resident, you can only access the park on one of the guided tours. Note, children under 16 years of age are not allowed to visit the settlement. Due to the steep cliffs and surrounding ocean, the only way to the settlement is by hiking or riding mules down the steep Kalaupapa Trail from the topside trailhead located off Highway 470 near Pala’au State Park and the Kalaupapa overlook. At the end of the trail, you must connect with the commercial tour company. Located on the island of Molokai, local airports include: Kalaupapa Airport (LUP), and Molokai Airport Dillingham Airfield.
For more information call (808) 567-6802 or visit www.NPS.gov/kala.
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