Kalaupapa National Historical Park • Hawai'i

View of Kalaupapa Peninsula from Overlook

View of pali (sea cliffs) on the north shore of Molokai

View of residences along Damien Road

View of the sunrise over the north shore of Molokai

View of Black Sand Beach and Awahua Bay

View of rock walls and native Hawaiian archeological sites at Kalaupapa.

Siloama Church at Kalawao settlement

View of St. Damien's Grave at Kalawao with ocean in background.

View of Paschoal Hall also known as the Kalaupapa Social Hall

View of grave markers at Papaloa Cemetery in Kalaupapa

View of Kana'ana Hou Church through gates

View of warehouse and store at the Kalaupapa Pier

When Hansen's disease (leprosy) was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands, King Kamehameha V banished all afflicted to the isolated Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north shore of Molokai. Since 1866, more than 8,000 people, mostly Hawaiians, have died at Kalaupapa. Once a prison, Kalaupapa is now a refuge for the few remaining residents who are cured but were forced to live their lives in isolation.

The Kalaupapa peninsula was once a prison for those inflicted with Hansen's disease. Approximately 8000 people were forced to live their lives in isolation here.
Tylor Tanaka

Kalaupapa National Historical Park contains some of the world's tallest sea cliffs, which formed a natural barrier to the Hansen's disease settlement.
Tylor Tanaka

Patients lived in a combination of group homes and single family residences at Kalaupapa.
NPS Photo / T. Scott Williams

Kalawao with its rocky shoreline was the landing spot for the first Hansen's disease patients sent to Kalaupapa.
NPS Photo / T. Scott Williams

Black Sand Beach is one of several sandy beaches at Kalaupapa, most known for its sea turtle nesting habitat.
NPS Photo / T. Scott Williams

Kalaupapa is also home to one of the most well-preserved archeological complexes in all of Hawaii.
Ricki Cooke

Siloama Church was the first church established at Kalawao in 1866. It is one of two remaining buildings at Kalawao today.
NPS Photo / T. Scott Williams

Saint Damien is one of two Catholic saints at Kalaupapa who came to serve the Hansen's disease patients in the late 19th century.
NPS photo / Carrie Mardorf

Paschoal Hall, also known as the Kalaupapa Social Hall, served as the community's recreational center with movies, entertainers, and dances.
NPS Photo / Carrie Mardorf

Kalaupapa is the final resting place for approximately 8000 people. Papaloa Cemetery is the largest cemetery located along the west shoreline of the peninsula.
NPS Photo / Carrie Mardorf

Religion was a prominent part of patients' lives at Kalaupapa. Protestant, Catholic, and Mormon churches were established at both Kalawao and Kalaupapa settlements.
NPS Photo / Carrie Mardorf

The Kalaupapa Pier, warehouse, and store were the lifeline of the settlement during the 20th century. Historically, shipments of goods and supplies were sent to Kalaupapa weekly.
NPS Photo / Carrie Mardorf

Hours and seasons

Reservations and timed entry

Fees and passes

Sunrise over the ocean, two islands, and sea cliffs.

Learn how to plan your visit to Kalaupapa and experience the most from your visit.

A red house with a grey roof, a lawn and a garage

Learn about the breadth and depth of historic resources at the park, including landscapes, historic buildings, museum collections, and more.

A sandy beach with dark brown sand, the ocean, and green sea cliffs.

Learn about the many threatened and endangered species at Kalaupapa, and what the park is doing to protect them.

Sepia photo; outside, dirt trail leading to a gate structure with stone walls on either side.

Join us on a "tour" via a series of recorded audio clips (read by NPS staff) and historic images of patients who lived in this sacred place.

Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 2222
7 Puahi Street
Kalaupapa, HI 96742

Phone:

808 567-6802

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