News

News Releases

Loading results...
     

    Older News

    Grave Marker Preservation & Lime Mortar Workshop

    June, 2016

    June 1 - 9, 2016 This 2‐week training was comprised of lecture and hands‐on workshops taught by National Park Service employees Richard Miller (Exhibit Specialist at Kalaupapa), Jason Church (Materials Conservator from NCPTT) and various outside partners. The training focused on understanding grave marker condition, appropriate grave marker repairs, and lime mortar materials. Such topics were discussed as how to identify materials, conducting grave condition assessments, making appropriate treatment recommendations, cleaning graves, applying lime wash, and demonstrations of small repairs were included in the training.

     

    Kalaupapa Welcomes Annual Barge

    August, 2014

    On August 2, 2014 Kalaupapa National Historical Park had Barge Day. This day is the settlement's biggest event of the year because an entire year's worth of supplies, equipment, and residents' personal items is delivered to the isolated peninsula.

     

    Lei Hali'a O Kalaupapa: Honoring the Memory, Healing the Land

    July, 2013

    Monday, June 30th marked the 45th anniversary of the ending of Hawaii's isolation policy for Hansen's disease patients. The anniversary was celebrated with the placing of lei on all the known burial sites within the park, through an effort called Lei Hali`a O Kalaupapa.

     

    Kalaupapa National Historical Park Welcomes Generous Donation

    September, 2013

    On September 5th, 2013 Kalaupapa National Historical Park accepted a generous donation from Ron and Elizabeth Akana of O'ahu. The silver platter and gold pin belonged to Bessie "Mother" Clinton, Administrator for Kalihi Hospital from 1918 – 1946. This donation helps to more fully tell the story of Hansen's disease patients' experience in the Hawaiian Islands.

     

    Hōkūle'a and Hikianalia Visit Kalaupapa

    August, 2013

    On August 20th, 2013 famous Polynesian sailing canoe, Hōkūle'a, and her sister canoe, Hikianalia, sailed into the waters just offshore from Kalaupapa Settlement. The visit was one stop of their larger world voyage to teach and learn about sustainability, ocean protection, and climate change adaptation and reversal. Over the next four years, Hōkūle'a and Hikianalia, will travel to 28 different countries and stop at 85 international ports – sailing more than 45,000 nautical miles around the world.

     

    Siloama Time Capsule Re-installed

    July, 2013

    On July 17, 2013 a ceremony was held to commemorate the re-installation of a time capsule at Siloama Church. The time capsule was originally installed in 1966 and was opened in 2012. For this event, the time capsule was returned, to be opened in 50 years. Residents of Kalaupapa contributed photographs and written materials, which best represented the people and current happenings of the settlement.

     

    Archaeological Survey at Kukaʽiwaʽa Landshelf Conducted

    June 2013
    From April 22 – 26 and May 6-10, National Park Service staff conducted an archaeological survey of a remote area of the park. The remote landshelf on Molokai's north shore, called Kukaʽiwaʽa, is known to have significant historical features. Park staff recorded a total of 38 traditional Hawaiian features and subfeatures, including 11 enclosures, 16 terrace segments, 5 platforms, one possible water feature, 3 alignments, and two mounds.

     

    Grave Marker Preservation Project Completed

    March 2012
    From January to March of this year, Emily Harte, Exhibits Specialist with the Historic Preservation Training Center, joined forces with Kalaupapa National Historical Park Exhibits Specialist Richard Miller to perform extensive preservation work on seven severely deteriorated historic tombs located in the Kalawao area of the park. The tombs that received treatment are constructed of lava rock set in lime-based mortar. Most are coated with lime-based render and some were lime washed and had suffered partial collapse. View images of restored tombs...
     

    Saint Marianne Cope Canonization Celebration

    October, 2012
    On January 12th, a festive celebration was held in the park to recognize the life and achievements of Saint Marianne Cope, who treated many of the victims of Hansen's disease at Kalaupapa. Mother Marianne was canonized as Hawai'i's second Saint on October 21, 2012.
     

    Holy Relics Donated to Kalaupapa National Historical Park

    2011
    A special donation was made to Kalaupapa National Historical Park this past April, courtesy of Grandma Jean O'Keefe of Kualapu'u, Molokai. The donation consisted of three objects associated with the life of Father Damien. The donation included a fragment of Damien's original coffin; cloth that touched his head; and nails he used to build the original Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Church on topside Molokai.
     

    Erika Stein Selected as Superintendent of Kalaupapa National Historical Park

    2011

    Erika Stein has been selected as the new superintendent of Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the island of Moloka`i in Hawai`i. She replaces Steve Prokop who was recently selected as superintendent of Redwood National and State Parks.
    "I'm so grateful to Kalaupapa and its community for all the opportunities, support, and encouragement that have already been afforded to me," said Stein. "I look forward to guiding this richly diverse park, with all its astounding cultural and natural resources, and will continue to work with the staff and community to preserve this very sacred place."

     

    Proposed Kalaupapa Memorial - Environmental Assessment Public Review

    December, 2010

    The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction of a Memorial to commemorate the lives of more than 8,000 patients with Hansen's Disease is now available for public review and comment at the National Park Service website: Planning, Environment, and Public Comment.

     

    Pali Trail Reopens to Guided Tours

    April 2010

    Kalaupapa National Historical Park is pleased to announce that the Kalaupapa Pali Trail is now open after major trail and bridge repairs were recently completed. The trail was officially closed on April 13, 2010 due to heavy rains that caused a catastrophic landslide and washed away part of the trail and bridge that carries mules and pedestrians.

    Last updated: September 20, 2022

    Park footer

    Contact Info

    Mailing Address:

    P.O. Box 2222
    7 Puahi Street

    Kalaupapa, HI 96742

    Phone:

    808 567-6802

    Contact Us

    Tools