Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
4.5
About
This historical park was a former leper colony run by Father Damien in the 1930s.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Tours and Tickets
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
4 within 10 kms
See what other travelers are saying
- Stevie12 contributionsWonderfulThis was the highlight of my recent month long vacation in Molokai! Our guide, booked thru the mule ride co., was so friendly. Only 3 people on my tour. I don’t know why so few. It is a little expensive, $250.00 per person to fly in & to take the tour, but so worth the price! I read the book “Molokai” before I came so I could relate to all of the stops we made. The sea cliffs are magnificent! If you do go & are susceptible to bug bites don’t forget insect spray!Visited February 2020Written March 6, 2020
- box534Red Deer, Canada49 contributionsWorthwhile history lessonA bucket wish list - so emotional seeing the graves and thinking of all the people discarded like worthless human beings. Spending the day in this beautiful but sad historical place was a privilege. Our guide was so enthusiastic and had a singing voice that was beautiful to listen to.Can't say enough about this tour. Totally awesome!!Visited January 2020Written January 21, 2020
- PepperSeattle, Washington1,734 contributionsIf you can't go visit the colony you can see it from this park vistaGorgeous area- many twists and blind turns on the highway to get to a place that we could look down on it. That park was deserted when we got there, but there was no way to get to the colony at that time so this was the best we could do. The lookout had many useful historical explanations along the walk way where the view was. Wish we could have visited but you can read the other reviews to see that it is not so easy to do that. So, if you just want a look down, go to the park that will let you get a glimpse of what was, and what is.Visited December 2020Written January 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
207 reviews
Excellent
151
Very good
37
Average
11
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Brandi T
Blackshear, GA408 contributions
Dec 2021
Absolutely gorgeous! It is a national park for a reason! Make Sur eyou take the time to check out this place!
Written 19 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pepper
Seattle, WA1,734 contributions
Dec 2020
Gorgeous area- many twists and blind turns on the highway to get to a place that we could look down on it. That park was deserted when we got there, but there was no way to get to the colony at that time so this was the best we could do. The lookout had many useful historical explanations along the walk way where the view was. Wish we could have visited but you can read the other reviews to see that it is not so easy to do that. So, if you just want a look down, go to the park that will let you get a glimpse of what was, and what is.
Written 3 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe P
Estes Park, CO303 contributions
Feb 2020
Kalaupapa - the leper colony - Fr Damien. Kalaupapa National Historical Park is now run by the National Park Service. It occupies a small 3 mile by 3 mile peninsula on the north shore of Molokai. Access today is only by the small planes operated by a couple local airlines. Note: There used to be access by a guided mule trail down the cliffs, but the trail has been closed for some time due to rock slides. Your flight must be coordinated with a tour guide in Kalaupapa who will get the permits necessary to visit. Otherwise you will not be allowed to leave the airport property. The Historical Park preserves the living community where people were banished to live apart from the rest of the world with leprosy, now called Hansen's disease. The cure for Hansen's disease was found in the 1940, but many of the residents elected to continue to live on their peninsula. Six still live there, aged 78 to 96. Touring the area will take you through the town of Kalaupapa, the original settlement area of Kalawao, and past the original churches still standing. The cemetery holds the tomb of Fr Damien, the priest who came to minister to the patients, and ended up dying of the disease. All the while you are there you can look to the south and see the sea cliffs that cut the peninsula off from the rest of the island, called topside. These sea cliffs are the highest in the world. I can see why being made to live there was referred to as the most beautiful prison in the world. What an interesting glimpse into history.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stevie
12 contributions
Feb 2020
This was the highlight of my recent month long vacation in Molokai! Our guide, booked thru the mule ride co., was so friendly. Only 3 people on my tour. I don’t know why so few. It is a little expensive, $250.00 per person to fly in & to take the tour, but so worth the price! I read the book “Molokai” before I came so I could relate to all of the stops we made. The sea cliffs are magnificent! If you do go & are susceptible to bug bites don’t forget insect spray!
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph B
38 contributions
Jan 2020
Here on this remote place on the north shore of Molokai were sent those who contracted leprosy, what is now called Hansen's disease. For 103 years people were exiled here for life!
That is the history part.
Now the tour:
Once you set foot on this "sacred piece of land" you can feel in your bones the cries coming from the very ground you stand on. there are over 8,000 graves and each has a story.
Next came a pilgrimage:
Visiting the graves of Saints Damien and Marianne Cope and others who have given their lives to better those who were rejected and suffered isolation in the midst of their agony, was a spiritual event!
This is now a National Park in order to preserve this piece of American history. There are still a few who were sent here living and through the parks department maintaining their culture.
I have come back to this special place many times. The first time is what got my attention. It is unique.
That is the history part.
Now the tour:
Once you set foot on this "sacred piece of land" you can feel in your bones the cries coming from the very ground you stand on. there are over 8,000 graves and each has a story.
Next came a pilgrimage:
Visiting the graves of Saints Damien and Marianne Cope and others who have given their lives to better those who were rejected and suffered isolation in the midst of their agony, was a spiritual event!
This is now a National Park in order to preserve this piece of American history. There are still a few who were sent here living and through the parks department maintaining their culture.
I have come back to this special place many times. The first time is what got my attention. It is unique.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
box534
Red Deer, Canada49 contributions
Jan 2020
A bucket wish list - so emotional seeing the graves and thinking of all the people discarded like worthless human beings. Spending the day in this beautiful but sad historical place was a privilege. Our guide was so enthusiastic and had a singing voice that was beautiful to listen to.Can't say enough about this tour. Totally awesome!!
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marygrace C
Albuquerque, NM8 contributions
Dec 2019
My husband and I were fortunate enough to see the park through the Saints Damien and Marianne Cope Molokai Tours LLC. Learned so much history about this little peninsula--from the geological formation, how the leper colony came to be (from a Hawaiian Cultural perspective to the geographical importance), to the religious histories of Saints Damien and Marianne Cope. It was a truly amazing day and a truly miraculous place! You feel the sorrow of what it was like to be a "patient" in such an isolated but beautiful place. You also learn the rules there today--it is still home to a few remaining "patients". John M. was our wonderful tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and respectful of the history and the patients. The tour took about 4-5 hours from arrival at Kalaupapa airport. Part of the tour was given by one of the Sisters of St. Francis (Sr. Barbara Jean), but John guided us through to the very end (when our plane arrived to take us back to the other airport near Kaunakakai)! The flight on Mokuele airlines was only 10 minutes (each way, but bumpy b/c of the winds). We felt blessed to be able to experience the tour, as now to take the tour you have to get approval from the park or be invited by one of the patients to tour the place. There is no longer a mule ride as the trail down to the park was washed away in 2018. When we were there, the weather went from sunny and warm to windy with showers. I'd bring a light rain jacket, hiking shoes and a camera. I highly recommend this tour!
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara C
Westminster, CA14 contributions
Oct 2019
Because the mule trail not operating as the bridge is washed out, I flew into Kalaupapa. The tour was so amazing and our Guide Rick Schonely has such a love of this place and the people that we could have easily spent days with him. I will be forever changed after visiting this place! Be sure to go! Hopefully, the bridge will be fixed and you can go on the mules, for your visit.
Written 3 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jessl9805
23 contributions
Sep 2019 • Friends
Best day excursion from Maui that we made. The only way into Kalaupapa at this time is by air (we used Mokulele - see separate review) and with a permit, as there are still a few residents (eight as of writing) living there. We secured our permit through a tour company, which means we had a guided tour - I don’t know how one would see the place without a tour as there are no cars to rent and no other way to readily traverse the area. The tour guide infused a lot of personal “historical” narrative into the tour, focusing fairly little on the experience of the people with Hansen’s Disease who were sent to the settlement, but we knew a lot about the history already and thus were prepared to look for certain things. Sitting in the church of Father Damien and Mother Marianne (both now saints) was pretty special. Lunch at the seaside cliffs was too. All in all, an incredible experience - heartbreaking but beautiful.
Written 11 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monica V
4 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
This tour was a highlight of our Moloka’i vacation. We wanted to see where Fr. Damien lived and worked. At this time, a landslide has the trail closed, so one must fly in. We booked flight and tour through the national park.
There is so much sacred history here, and our tour guide, Rick, was so knowledgeable and respectful of the many rich faith traditions here. (Bonus: he serenaded us with traditional music!) The tour is mostly done by bus with many stops to see the lush landscapes and historic sights.
There is so much sacred history here, and our tour guide, Rick, was so knowledgeable and respectful of the many rich faith traditions here. (Bonus: he serenaded us with traditional music!) The tour is mostly done by bus with many stops to see the lush landscapes and historic sights.
Written 13 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Redfoot
Sun City, AZ388 contributions
Will be in Honolulu from Sept. 10-13, on either side of a day trip to Midway Island with a military tour group. Both of us (a retired public health nurse and a doctor) have had experience with Hansen's Disease patients and wish to visit Father Damien's historic site. We can do it either as a day trip from Honolulu, if possible, or could stay a night or two in Molokai if there are nice accommodations and perhaps other things to do. Cost and time are not a problem. Your recommendations? Thanks.,
Stevie
12 contributions
I think Molokai is still on quarantine, you should check that out. The only way to go to Kalaupapa is if you book it thru a tour co. It is a day trip. The only motel on the island is Hotel Molokai. When I ate lunch there I did notice they had a tour co.Thru them.. I think this would be your best bet to contact them. . I know they can also provide transportation From airport if you don’t have rental car. There is also the church on topside Father Damien built. Good Luck❤️
Traveling K
San Diego5 contributions
Do you now book a tour through the Kalaupapa Historical national park? We're having a very difficult time figuring things out. We're flying to Maui in April and would like to tour the Park and spend a few days exploring Molokai. Any advice would be appreciated!
abyss64
Seal Beach, CA659 contributions
muleride. com is also offering flight packages to Kalaupapa. I used that company for the hike (not flight) a couple years ago, and they were fine.
Lgogis
Zionsville, IN136 contributions
Does anyone happen to know if they plan to repair the washed out bridge/trail used on the mule ride up and down? Would love to do both the mule ride and tour the area as well. Any insight about future development or is the flight only the new normal? Thanks!
Laura
abyss64
Seal Beach, CA659 contributions
I was told that the goal is to have repairs done and trail re-opening by January 2020. Crossing fingers.
NiqS
Chesterfield, UK80 contributions
Hi, my wife and I will be staying on Molokai from November 5th to 8th. We would like to visit Kalaupapa and take a tour, but it seems very difficult to find accurate information on how to visit. We would like to fly, the mule ride or hiking down is not an option. Can anyone offer any advice and a rough idea of cost?
Thanks
Monica V
4 contributions
Hello! We visited Kalaupapa from Molokai a few weeks ago. I called Kalaupapa National Park and booked both my flight and tour through the park. They were very helpful. I don’t recall the exact cost. It was worth every penny! It is an incredible place full of beauty, history, and spirit. Enjoy!
MIA
Vaughan, Canada
I plan to go Kalaupapa National Historical Park for hiking, I want to know what time the tour will start in the morning and what time it will finish as I plan to go back to honolulu to catch airplant at 6pm at same day
Thank you for your answer
Ken R
Kimberley, Canada96 contributions
Unfortunately, you will not be able to hike the Kalaupapa trail to the old leper colony as there was a landslide late in December 2018 or early in January 2019 that destroyed a bridge on the trail and there is no way to get in. The trail is blocked off at the road entrance. The only way to get is by helicopter or fixed wing plane.
Julia R
Loveland, CO21 contributions
Hello fellow travelers. I would like to book a hike to the National Park in January when I visit but am having a very difficult time getting through to anyone. My best bet thus far is the Rare Adventures, for those of you who used this company for the hike, permit and tour of the peninsula what was the cost and was it worth it. I am having great difficulties with the Father Damien Tours connection. The phone numbers I’m calling are wrong numbers now. Any advice?
WestHamfan10
London68 contributions
Hi
I think the Father Damien tours have stopped. You want The Mule ride company. You can either take a mule up and down ( poor mule), or walk, and / or take a plane back up. Walking down was beautiful, but coming back up took us 3 1/2 hours and was tough ( but worth it - we are both early 60’s). My preference would be walk down, plane back up - the views from the plane are amazing.
The mule ride company can be found in Kualapu’u, just off the Kalae Hwy, in a side road called Leomele St opppsite the Coffees of Hawaii shop. Took us ages to find it as the company had just moved in but not told us the new address.....but that’s another story😊.....the trip is well worth it, lots of history. Take plenty of water, it’s a long hot walk, though ample shade enroute
Annette
St. George, UT19 contributions
Just curious if any of you hikers and mule riders have hiked Angels Landing in Zion National Park or Delicate Arch in Arches? How do those hikes compare to this trail? My husband is not too keen on the mules, but I'm not too keen on the three miles and 26 switchbacks going back up! Angels Landing is 2.4 miles and 1500 feet elevation change.
abyss64
Seal Beach, CA659 contributions
Re: the mules not in operation, they were up and running when I was there at the end of August, and it’s my understanding that it’s still running. I think the lease was an issue several months ago, but they seem to have resolved it.
What do you suggest for getting from the airport to the tour office?
MGQ
Buffalo, NY477 contributions
We stayed on the island for 4 days and had a rental car.
Peta S
Australia58 contributions
how long did the hike take to get down to the settlement? kind regards
Štěpánka Č
Ostrava, Czech Republic1,572 contributions
One hours and a half down and 1.45 up and we're in normal shape and middle-aged. But we had a great weather.
Linttravel
Bellevue WA35 contributions
Hi there, which tour company did you go with? Father Damien Tours or Damien Tours. I am trying to make reservations. Thank you.
Sharon
megan g
Saint Louis, MO645 contributions
We did the Kalaupapa Guided mule tour with Kalaupapa rare adventure Inc, the father Damien tour
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingKALAUPAPA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Kalaupapa National Historical Park
- Hotels near Kalaupapa National Historical Park:
- (11.87 km) Hotel Moloka'i
- (11.90 km) Ka Hale Mala B&B
- (12.02 km) The Ultimate Oceanfront Penthouse
- (11.99 km) Castle Molokai Shores Resort
- (12.38 km) Hawaiian Style Ocean Front Condo in Hawaii, Molokaii
- Restaurants near Kalaupapa National Historical Park:
- (12.16 km) Kanemitsu Bakery
- (12.13 km) Kamoi Snack-n-Go
- (9.88 km) Kualapuu Cookhouse
- (12.33 km) Paddlers Restaurant and Bar
- (12.41 km) Molokai Burger