This is a unique, fascinating, and hallowed place that is unforgettable. Kalaupapa Molokai.
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55 thoughts on “Kalaupapa Leper Settlement: Once Prison, Now Forbidden Refuge”
This is a unique, fascinating, and hallowed place that is unforgettable. Kalaupapa Molokai.
I love this article and thank you for writing it. I was blessed to have went about 18 years ago. I was required to walk down the trail after the mules because of over booking. I was told to try to keep up with the mules because they would only wait 10 minutes for me. After walking down and back I was so sore I could hardly walk for 3 days. Still I would do it again. The day was life changing, including almost missing the last ferry back to Maui.
I will never forget sitting in the old church and seeing the holes in the floor so the people could spit out the blood from the sores in their mouth.
Not open since Covid? I hope the NPS isn’t funding this disgusting endeavor as it is an obvious lack of work ethic!
We visited Molokai for 4 days in 1985 for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. One day we rode the Mules down the cliffs to visit Kalaupapa. Ike was our tour guide. He had lived there since he was 16 because of leprosy. He said it was his home and he never wanted to leave! Being in Father Damian’s Church was very Spiritual! We sat in a hot tub for about 4 days afterwards! I have read many books about the area and the history of people affected by Leprosy.
We were so fortunate in 2015 to take the Molokai ferry from Lahaina and do a day tour of the island. Even though we only saw Kalaupapa from the lookout the experience was profound and one of my most cherished memories of visiting the islands over the last 30 years. Thanks so much for posting this.
That’s how we saw Kalaupapa-from the lookout.
Elizabeth It looks like a nice place and love the water.
Many years ago, my husband and I were fortunate enough to participate in a tour with Mr. Marks. It was a fascinating, inspiring experience. Upon his death, we sent his wife, Gloria, our condolences, and received a gracious response. Memories of a lifetime.
Aloha no. I have been to Kalaupapa on many occasions. My aunt , Nellie Kaimuki Hueu McCarthy(my mother’s sister) and her husband Fred McCarthy were residents there. She was our sponsor back in early 70s. I actually had the privilege of hiking into Waikolu Valley, courtesy of 2 young men who worked for State of Hawaii back then. What a beautiful experience. Was sad to learn that many of the residents families never acknowledged that they had a relative there. But on the other hand, there were those who often visited their ohana there. Thank you for this article much appreciated.
I have traveled to Moloka’i many times & have been fortunate to visit Kalaupapa on multiple occasions. This is one of the most sacred places I have ever visited. Rick Schonely, one of the most recent tour guides (before Covid closed the tours) on Monday and Tues, is a great friend of mine and his aloha of Kalaupapa is second to none. I have been privileged to perform Wahine Ê»Ilikea with him on our ukulele’s at St. Philomena’s Catholic Church, the 1st church Father Damien built there. It was always a great pleasure to talk story with the late Uncle Boogie who worked in the bookstore.
Readers may be interested in the Ka’Ohana O Kalaupapa organization working to honor those who lived there and their ohana kalaupapaohana.org
I have a friend whose name is Fermin. He is full blooded Apache Indian. He did degrees in both forest management and art at UC Davis. Fermin was heavily connected into the Catholic church. He was one of the guards for the Kalaupapa leper colony. For him it was a life changing event. He did a series of artworks on the experience of working at the leper colony. This work took several years of his life. I curated a show for him of perhaps 80 works in total in the mid 90s. We also own one of his works. His work deals with leprosy, the church, and being in the leper colony. His work is beautiful in its own way. Fermin’s full time career is being a California park ranger.
I shot touch and goes at the Kalaupapa airport in 2003 and 2004. We did not stop, just touched the runway and took off again. The airport is closed now?
Still open and served by Mokulele. You can ride along HNL-LUP-MKK and see the area from the plane.
no, the airport is not closed
What a fascinating place. I was on Molakai last year and looked down to the peninsula from Palaapu State Park Overlook. I so wanted to venture down to the peninsula.
Please comment more on this fascinating historical place and pray it doesn’t become a fancy resort for the rich. I read your weekly articles and love all you write about Hawaii! Thank you. Anthony W
Hi Anthony.
Thanks for your nice words and for being a regular reader. Also, for this your first comment.
Aloha.
Wow, I feel honored. I hope to comment more often now. Thank you so much, and yes I look forward to your articles. Such a pleasure. Mahalo
I stand updated. Even though Biblical Leprosy is specifically called out, it appears as though The WHO uses the term interchangeably:
answersingenesis.org/biology/disease/biblical-leprosy-shedding-light-on-the-disease-that-shuns/