Kalaupapa
National Historical Park

Family.   Community.   Dignity.

These are words with universal meanings, and at Kalaupapa these words describe human experiences, both past and present. Family refers to blood families torn apart by the physical removal of a parent or a child, as well as extended families created through bonding and support for survival. Community refers to the sense of "specialness" that residents of Kalaupapa feel about each other and about the place where they have chosen to live out their lives. Dignity refers to how Kalaupapa residents expect to be treated, and how they carry themselves in the face of societal attitudes towards a frightening illness, Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy.

Two tragedies occurred on the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north shore of the island of Moloka`i; the first was the removal of indigenous peoples in 1865 and 1895, the second was the forced isolation of sick people to this remote place from 1866 until 1969. The removal of Native 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).

The park contains the Kalaupapa Peninsula, adjacent cliffs and valleys, and submerged lands and waters out to 1/4 mile from shore. Hawaiian people inhabited the peninsula and valleys for hundreds of years prior to the establishment of the isolation settlement at Kalawao in 1866. Evidence of this occupation in four ahupua`a (historic Hawaiian land divisions) on the peninsula and in valleys is relatively undisturbed and represents one of the richest archeological preserves in Hawai`i.

The Moloka`i Lighthouse, opened in 1909 and standing on the northern tip of the peninsula, is the tallest US lighthouse in the Pacific Ocean. It guides ocean vessels past Moloka`i and into Honolulu Harbor on O`ahu.

Spectacular north shore sea cliffs, narrow valleys, a volcanic crater, rain forest, lava tubes and caves, and off-shore islands and waters are in the naational park. Several of these areas provide rare native habitat for threatened or endangered Hawaiian plants and animals. For example, Hawaiian monk seal pups have been born on Kalaupapa's beaches. These endangered mammals require solitude; Kalaupapa's physical isolation provides perfect habitat to support these births and subsequent care.

The park is within the Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a national historic landmark. A section of the park is included within the North Shore Cliffs National Natural Landmark. The Moloka`i Lighthouse is listed separately on the national register.

Interaction with residents, physical isolation, scenic beauty, and the brilliant night sky contribute to memorable visitor experiences at Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

VISITATION:

On average approximately 76,000 people visit the park each year. About 66,000 people visit the Kalaupapa Peninsula overlook in Pala`au State Park, while 10,000 people come to the settlement via mule rides, hiking or by plane. Visitation is fairly steady throughout the year.

There are three types of visitation at the park: those who view the peninsula from the overlook, visitors who tour historic Kalaupapa and Kalawao through a commercial tour, and guests of residents. Guests of residents may stay overnight in visitor quarters or in private homes. They may travel beyond the boundaries of the Kalaupapa settlement if their sponsor accompanies them.

Organized groups of volunteers come to Kalaupapa throughout the year on service trips. They work on natural and cultural resource protection projects in the settlement and in the park.

One park purpose is to protect the lifestyle and individual privacy of the Hansen's disease patients, so there are several restrictions for all visitors at Kalaupapa. These include, but are not limited to: permission required to enter the settlement, no children under the age of 16, no photographs of patients without their written permission, no pets, no camping, no hunting or firearms, no diving tanks, and pole fishing only.

LOCATION:

The park is on the north shore of the island of Moloka`i in Hawai`i.

ADDRESS:

Kalaupapa National Historical Park
PO Box 2222
Kalaupapa, HI 96742

TELEPHONE:

(808) 567-6802

OPERATING HOURS:

The park is open 365 days each year. There are no "opening and closing hours" due to the restricted visitation and active Kalaupapa community of people. The commercial tours operate Monday through Saturday, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Hawai`i enjoys moderate temperatures year-round. Rain increases in winter; some summer days are hot and humid. Tradewinds are fairly constant. Temperatures range from the 70s in winter to the 90s in the summer. A rain jacket is recommended, as is a brimmed hat and sunscreen. Visitors who hike the trail should carry plenty of water.

DIRECTIONS:

The park can be reached by air through commercial and charter flights from Honolulu, O`ahu, and from Hoolehua, Moloka`i. Some visitors arrive by private boats and tie to buoys near the dock at Kalaupapa. Visitors also hike or ride mules down the steep Kalaupapa Trail, accessed off highway 470 near Pala`au State Park and the Kalaupapa overlook. At the bottom of the trail, visitors connect with the commercial tour of the settlement. There is no vehicular access to the park due to the ocean and steep cliffs.

TRANSPORTATION:

Kalaupapa National Historical Park can be reached by air from O`ahu, Maui, and from Ho`olehua, Moloka`i. Flights into Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) can be arranged through Island Air (1-800-652-6541 Hawai`i; 1-800-323-3345 mainland), Pacific Wings (1-888-575-4546), Moloka`i Lana`i Air Shuttle (808-567-6847), and Paragon Air (1-800-428-1231).

The mule rides are arranged through Moloka`i Mule Rides, Inc., a National Park Service concession (808-567-6088 or 1-800-567-7550). Damien Tours, owned and operated by a Kalaupapa resident, offers the commercial tour of Kalaupapa (808-567-6171).

FEES, COST, RATES:

There is no entrance fee for the park, nor are there fees for any park facilities. Overnight guests pay nominal lodging expenses. There are costs involved with the commercial tours, mule rides and air flights.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Guests of residents may tour Kalaupapa and Kalawao settlements and stay overnight. Facilities include picnic pavilions, post office, religious services at local churches, and visitor quarters for overnight stays. All other visitors may tour Kalaupapa and Kalawao settlements on a commercial tour. Lunch is enjoyed at a picnic pavilion at Kalawao with scenic views of the north shore cliffs and off-shore islands.

There are 8,725 acres of land and 2,000 acres of water within the park's authorized boundary; 23 acres are owned in fee by the federal government.

The park is administered jointly by the National Park Service and several state agencies, including the Hawai`i Department of Health and the Division of Land and Natural Resources.

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

There is a visitor center in Kalaupapa at the Americans of Japanese Ancestry (AJA) Hall. The visitor center has interpretive materials and artifact display cases. The park's cooperating association, Arizona Memorial Museum Association, maintains a small sales outlet. The visitor center has limited operating hours six days a week (except Sunday).

There are wayside exhibits on the peninsula's people, history and archeology located throughout Kalawao and Kalaupapa settlements. Wayside exhibits are also at the Kalaupapa airport and at the Kalaupapa overlook at Pala`au State Park.

Trails, roads:

There is no vehicular access to the Kalaupapa Peninsula, as it is surrounded on three sides by ocean, and on a fourth side by a steep pali. Dirt roads cross the peninsula proper. There are paved roads within the settlement of Kalaupapa, to the airport, and to the historic Kalawao settlement. A trail from topside Moloka`i down the pali reaches Kalaupapa; the trail has a 1,700 ft. elevation change, is three miles long, and has 26 switchbacks.

Programs/Activities:

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.

Lodging and camping facilities:

There is no camping within the park. Overnight stays in the visitor quarters are limited to guests of residents. The nearest lodging outside the park on topside Moloka`i is in Kaunakakai; the nearest camping is in Pala`au State Park.

Food/Supplies:

The National Park Service concession mule ride operator will sell box lunches to visitors who sign up for the commercial Damien Tours. All other day visitors must bring their own lunches. No other supplies are available, and guests of residents generally bring their own food supplies. Snacks and beverages are available at a local bar. Food and supplies outside the park are in Kaunakakai, Moloka`i.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

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.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

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.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Nearby visitor attractions on Moloka`i include:

• Moloka`i Museum & Cultural Center and R.W. Meyer Sugar Mill
  
  Located on highway 470 at the four-mile marker, this site features the restored 1878 R.W. Meyer Sugar Mill with its mule-driven cane crusher and operational steam engine. The cultural center has changing displays and artifacts. Tours are offered Monday through Saturday for a nominal fee. Rudolph W. Meyer, a German sugar planter and rancher who came to Moloka`i in 1848, lived over the cliff from Kalawao at Kala`e. He served as the isolation settlement's supervisor from 1866 until his death in 1897.
  
  For more information: Moloka`i Museum & Cultural Center, P.O. Box 986, Kaunakakai, HI, 96742 (808-567-6436 or 808-567-6624)



• Pala`au State Park
  
  Located at the end of highway 470, about 10 miles northwest of Kaunakakai, Pala`au State Park is a 233-acre heavily wooded park sitting at an elevation of 1,600 feet. It is on the edge of steep cliffs that drop to the ocean on the north shore of the island. The park has a campground for tents in an ironwood and eucalyptus grove, and a large, covered picnic pavilion. An excellent view of the Makanalua peninsula can be seen from an overlook at the edge of the cliffs. Wayside exhibits at the overlook interpret park themes.
  
  For more information and permits: Division of State Parks, P.O. Box 1049, Wailuku, HI 96793 (808-244-4354)



• There are three Nature Conservancy preserves on Moloka`i:
  
  Kamakou Preserve has 2,774 acres containing native rain forest and shrublands. In these remote forests live native forest birds, along with several hundred species of plants, insects, and land snails found only in Hawai`i. Monthly guided hikes are available but are usually booked several months in advance. A four-wheel drive vehicle is needed to reach the preserve.
  
  Mo`omomi Preserve has 921 acres on the northwest coast. Windswept dunes shelter six globally imperiled plant species, and the endangered Hawaiian green sea turtle nests in the preserve. There are also important sites for Hawaiian prehistory, paleontology, and geology. Monthly guided hikes are available but are usually booked several months in advance.
  
  Pelekunu Preserve has 5,714 acres on the rugged north shore. Accessible only on foot or by boat, the valley's remoteness has protected its lowland rain forests, verdant sea cliffs, and one of Hawai`i's last remaining free-flowing streams. For safety reasons, the Conservancy does not encourage public access to this preserve.
  
  For more information: The Nature Conservancy, Moloka`i Preserves, P.O. Box 220, Kualapu`u, HI 96757 (808-553-5236)

The National Park Service, an agency within the US Department of the Interior, manages six other units of the National Park System in the state of Hawai`i. Kalaupapa National Historical Park shares broad themes of volcanism, geology, endangered flora and fauna, decreasing habitat, threats from introduced alien species, Native Hawaiian culture and land use, and history with these six areas. They are:

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at Volcano on the island of Hawai`i
• Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park at Honaunau on the island of Hawai`i
• Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park near Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawai`i
• Pu`ukohola Heiau National Historic Site at Kawaihae on the island of Hawai`i
• Haleakala National Park near Makawao on the island of Maui
• USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu on the island of O`ahu.




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Last Updated:Thursday, 17-Jun-99 15:42:42
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