Kalaupapa National Historical Park

The basics

Once completely isolated, the park is now a center for education and reflection, with preserved historic churches, homes, and cemeteries. The remote settlement site is accessible via sanctioned mule rides, hiking tours, or flights from Kalaupapa Airport. Out of respect for the residents, permits are limited to 100 per day; they’re typically available through booking a guided tour with licensed operators but may require applying with the Hawaii Department of Health.

Note: No permitted tour operators currently serve Kalaupapa. The National Park Service and Hawaii Department of Health are working to continue public visits—check the national park website for updates.

Things to know before you go

• The park is not accessible by car—you can enter on permitted mule rides, hiking tours, and flights.

• People under 16 years of age are not permitted to visit Kalaupapa.

• Photography of residents is prohibited without their express permission.

• There are no medical facilities, shops, restaurants, or public accommodations—plan to bring your own food and supplies and take trash out with you.

• Admission is free, but requires a permit.

How to get there

The settlement lies in a remote part of the Kalaupapa Peninsula in north central Molokai, the fifth-largest Hawaiian island. You can enter the park on permitted mule rides and hiking tours along the Kalaupapa Trail or take flights from Kalaupapa Airport. Molokai is reachable via flights from Oahu and Maui.

When to get there

Kalaupapa is a living community of residents and some national park staff, and doesn't operate with operating hours or true travel seasons. Like most of Hawaii, the island of Molokai is a year-round destination, with mild weather and temperatures that average around 75ºF (24ºC) no matter the season.

The history of the Kalaupapa colony

When Hansen's disease reached the islands of Hawaii in the late 1800s, there was no known cure. Under the sanction of King Kamehameha V, the island kingdom segregated suffering Hawaiians to the Kalaupapa Peninsula, an isolated part of Molokai surrounded by ocean and cliffs on all sides. The island quarantined an estimated 8,000 people until new therapies made the disease non-contagious. The quarantine law was abolished in 1969, but a handful of former patients continue to live in the settlement.

Ways to explore

The settlement site is accessible via park-approved tours, which arrive with flights from Kalaupapa Airport—the hiking trail is currently inaccessible, so hiking and mule tours are not available. Out of respect for the residents, permits are limited; they’re typically available through booking a guided tour with licensed operators, but may require applying with the Hawaii Department of Health. In addition, visitors are not permitted to stay overnight and must pack in all the food, water, medicine, and other supplies needed for their visit, as there are no shops or other services in the park.

Accessibility

The park is not accessible to wheelchair users.

Age limits

The minimum age to secure a permit to visit is 16.

What to pack

Food, water, first aid kit, camera

What to wear

Hiking boots, layers, hat and sunscreen

Not allowed

Accessing the park without a permit, crossing private land, photographing park residents or private property

Address

The settlement lies on the Kalaupapa Peninsula in north central Molokai, the fifth-largest Hawaiian island. You can enter the park on permitted tours via the Kalaupapa Airport. Molokai is reachable via flights from Oahu and Maui.

Driving

There is no vehicle access to the Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

Public transportation

The Kalaupapa National Historical Park is not connected to the rest of the island by public transportation.

Best times to visit

Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight in the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, so tours cover the park in one day.

Best days to visit

The park is open daily, but can be accessed only via an approved guided tour. Visit the park website for tour schedules.

Best months to visit

Avoid visiting the park from November to March, when the area receives most of its rainfall.