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The beautiful mountains of Kalawao, Molokai watch over the grave of Father Damien and others who helped to alleviate Hansen’s disease patients’ sickness and loneliness.

Kalaupapa
Location / Visiting the Park

Kalaupapa National Historical Park, established by Congress in 1980, is a unit of the national park system. Managed by the National Park Service and the Hawai`i State Department of Health, the 10,700+ acre park is located on the north shore of the island of Moloka`i in the state of Hawai`i. The park contains the Kalaupapa peninsula, adjacent cliffs and valleys, and submerged lands and waters out to 1/4 mile from shore.

Included in this area are the historic Hansen's disease (leprosy) settlements at Kalaupapa and at Kalawao, made famous through the work of Belgian priest Joseph De Veuster (Father Damien). Hansen's disease patients living in Kalaupapa and elsewhere keep the history of the settlement alive through their memories and experiences. The park's cultural and natural resources have both national historic landmark and national natural landmark status because of their significance

In 1865 the Kalaupapa peninsula on Moloka`i was chosen by the kingdom of Hawai`i as the place of exile for Hansen's disease patients. A contributing factor was its isolation; surrounded on three sides by ocean and on the fourth side by the steep pali (cliffs), the peninsula could be reached only by boat or on foot from "topside" Moloka`i. Today access to the park remains limited by geography.

There is still no vehicular access as there are no roads in or out of the Kalaupapa peninsula. People arrive by boat or airplane, or by hiking or riding mules down and up the pali trail. There are no public facilities (camping, restaurants, stores). Overnight stays are limited to guests of residents.

Kalaupapa is jointly managed by the National Park Service and the Hawai`i State Department of Health. Because Kalaupapa is home for many Hansen's disease patients, state law prohibits visitors from entering the settlement without a permit. No visitors under the age of 16 years are allowed. Visitors must be part of a guided tour (commercial tours are available), be an invited guest, or have special permission from the Department of Health to be in the settlement.

See a map of Kalaupapa (provided by Google)

NOTE: There are no longer any medical reasons for these regulations; they continue to be enforced to protect the privacy and unique lifestyle of the residents.

If you have questions or would like more information about visiting the park, please contact: National Park Service, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Box 2222, Kalaupapa, HI 96742. Park Headquarters (808) 567-6802, Fax (808) 567-6135