55 thoughts on “Kalaupapa Leper Settlement: Once Prison, Now Forbidden Refuge”
Debi S
Aloha Guys! Thanks for the informative and interesting article. I had always wondered about the history of the “leper colony” and how it came to be. It is nice to know that it was renamed and that the patients who are still living are able to call it home.
We are saddened to hear that you can no longer ride the mules to the settlement. That was one of the most moving and incredible experiences of our lifetime. We talk about it every time we go to Hawaii and would do it again if available. The hike would also be awesome and we hope it opens soon so more people can experience this incredibly moving tour. Thanks for the nice article.
My late husband had an uncle that was sent there,his uncle was misdiagnosed but by the time they found out his uncle met his future wife. He refused to leave. They had two sons, one died when born and the other was sent to oahu to live with his grandparents (my husband was raised by them also) his uncle, his wife and child are buried there. It’s sad no one could ever visit their grave site.
I went to Kalaupapa in 2019 and I took a plane from topside Moloka’i to the peninsula. At that time there were 11 patients still alive. Rick Shonoly was the guide to the tour I took and he was so informative. Since there were only three of us on the tour that day, Rick asked Sister Barbara Jean to take us into the convent and give more information on Mother Marianne Cope. I really enjoyed this tour. Kalaupapa felt so peaceful and quiet. There was a spiritual feeling to the peninsula. I’m sorry that no one else gets to experience what I did that day. I know Rick felt a camaraderie with the patients, the sisters, the priest and workers there .
It is a beautiful, serene and informative place, which is definitely worth a day trip. I hope a concessionaire similiar to Damien Tours can be secured soon, along with a flight schedule. It’s the only viable way to control tourism and insure visitor and resident safety.
I would have to take a plane to Kalaupapa. I couldn’t do the walk and the mule ride scares me. I was wondering exactly how many patients were left. Thanks for clarifying it is 9. I would like to look around for the history and beauty.
Have you ever heard Uncle Larry sing his song “Father Damien of Molokai”? Unfortunately that won’t happen again but I could probably sing it in my sleep I’ve heard it so many times.
Aloha Guys! Thanks for the informative and interesting article. I had always wondered about the history of the “leper colony” and how it came to be. It is nice to know that it was renamed and that the patients who are still living are able to call it home.
We are saddened to hear that you can no longer ride the mules to the settlement. That was one of the most moving and incredible experiences of our lifetime. We talk about it every time we go to Hawaii and would do it again if available. The hike would also be awesome and we hope it opens soon so more people can experience this incredibly moving tour. Thanks for the nice article.
It was a very interesting article and very informative.
My late husband had an uncle that was sent there,his uncle was misdiagnosed but by the time they found out his uncle met his future wife. He refused to leave. They had two sons, one died when born and the other was sent to oahu to live with his grandparents (my husband was raised by them also) his uncle, his wife and child are buried there. It’s sad no one could ever visit their grave site.
Very interesting story
I went to Kalaupapa in 2019 and I took a plane from topside Moloka’i to the peninsula. At that time there were 11 patients still alive. Rick Shonoly was the guide to the tour I took and he was so informative. Since there were only three of us on the tour that day, Rick asked Sister Barbara Jean to take us into the convent and give more information on Mother Marianne Cope. I really enjoyed this tour. Kalaupapa felt so peaceful and quiet. There was a spiritual feeling to the peninsula. I’m sorry that no one else gets to experience what I did that day. I know Rick felt a camaraderie with the patients, the sisters, the priest and workers there .
It is a beautiful, serene and informative place, which is definitely worth a day trip. I hope a concessionaire similiar to Damien Tours can be secured soon, along with a flight schedule. It’s the only viable way to control tourism and insure visitor and resident safety.
I would have to take a plane to Kalaupapa. I couldn’t do the walk and the mule ride scares me. I was wondering exactly how many patients were left. Thanks for clarifying it is 9. I would like to look around for the history and beauty.
Hi Carol.
We’ll update this with any changes regarding a potential reopening of Kalaupapa. It isn’t clear that will happen, however.
Aloha.
A very compelling article, Mahalo.
Hi Kauaidoug and Megan M., Debi and others
Thank you for your kind words!
Aloha.
Thank you for this story/article. I love learning about the history of Hawaii.
Have you ever heard Uncle Larry sing his song “Father Damien of Molokai”? Unfortunately that won’t happen again but I could probably sing it in my sleep I’ve heard it so many times.