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The remote location of Kalaupapa makes accessibility a challenge. The existing landscape is historic and the buildings of the settlement were built before current accessibility standards were set. The National Park Service strives to make the park as universally accessible as possible. However, extra obstacles will be encountered because of the nature of this special place. Visitors using wheelchairs or who have visual impairments may need assistance. Travel Considerations Understanding the unique context of Kalaupapa can help visitors prepare appropriately, before arrival to the park.
The park can be reached by air from O’ahu (HNL) and Ho’olehua, Molokai (MKK) to Kalaupapa Airport (LUP).
Small commuter plane air service is provided daily via Mokulele Airlines. Flight accommodations are made per airline policy. Please contact the airline directly about specific questions regarding travel accessibility 877-260-7070 toll free or view their FAQ webpage for more information.
Kalaupapa can also be accessed by trail. The trail to Kalaupapa descends 26 switchbacks with nearly a 2,000 foot elevation change over 3.5 miles.
The park considers the trail to be very strenuous. Permitted visitors should read up on the Kalaupapa Trail on the Safety Page before hiking the trail.
Per Kalawao County policy, no animals of any species are allowed in the settlement. However, service animals are an exception to this policy. The National Park Service allows service animals that fall under the current ADA Definition. Emotional support animals are not considered service animals and will not be allowed into the settlement.
Visitors are responsible for their animals while in the settlement including proper disposal of waste. The wildlife in Kalaupapa is diverse and contains many endangered plants and animal species. Some local vegetation may be harmful if ingested by animals. Please research the native wildlife prior to traveling to the park with a service animal. Special Condsiderations*Kalaupapa is a remote park on the island of Molokai filled with cultural heritage and potential hazards. The isolation of the park creates unique safety challenges concerning accessibility. Weather might be inconsistent and change suddenly. Due to inclement weather or other challenges, it is possible that getting out of Kalaupapa will not be feasible. It is suggested that upon a visit to Kalaupapa, you bring any needed medications and some extra food. *Cell phone service at the park is very limited and often nonexistent, and the residents of Kalaupapa typically rely on wifi for communication outside the park. Power and wifi outages are common, and outages may last for multiple days. *The landscape of Kalaupapa is marked by interconnecting, asphalt roads. These roads are traversed by cars, bicycles, and people walking. There are no sidewalks, so anyone traveling in the road must move off the road or to the side for cars to pass. *There are no street lights in the park. Kalaupapa gets very dark in the evening which may make navigating the settlement extra challenging. *In case of emergency, a siren will sound and alert the park. Auditory warnings and alerts are currently the only emergency system in the park. Visual park signage identifies evacuation routes for natural disasters such as tsunamis. *Restrooms and water stations are limited in the park, and most of them have accessibility barriers. *Though Kalaupapa is typically very windy, some days can get hot, especially in the summer months. Most of the park buildings do not have air conditioning and may get very warm. *Although there are no active volcanoes on the island of Moloka'i, volcanoes of neighboring islands may erupt causing volcanic ash to negatively affect air quality. *Humans aren't the only ones that call Kalaupapa home, as there are many different critters that also live here! Kalaupapa is home to the Axis Deer, Monk Seals, Mongoose, German Cockroach, and many more diverse species. Visitors may come in contact with these at any time. Kalaupapa tries to be as clean as possible. However, some critters still find their way into the rustic buildings and leave their bacteria behind. Visitors should consider the potential exposure to bacteria and the lack of access to proper sanitation before traveling to the island. *There are no medical facilities in Kalaupapa. Any emergency medical services requires a helicopter flight to a neighboring island, and it may be hours before help arrives. Based off of individual needs, visitors should make the necessary preparations before traveling to the island. *American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available at no cost for visitors who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Due to the remoteness of Kalaupapa, please request interpretors no later than two weeks prior to arrival. Please contact the park directly at 808-567-6802 for more information. *Historical waysides around the park cover sensitive topics such as suffering, illness, isolation, and death. Some visitors may find these topics uncomfortable and unsettling. *Depending on the number of COVID-19 cases within the settlement, visitors may be required to wear a face mask in some locations. Visitors who have specific sensory sensitivities may consider bringing their own face mask *There are some locations that have a ramped entry. However, a few of these locations have steps at the end of the ramp and are not level entry. This creates major accessibility barriers for individuals using wheelchairs or other assistive devices. These are noted at each site. *Most of the settlement is located in the direct sunlight with minimal shade. Visitors are encouraged to bring hats, visors, sunscreen, etc. to prevent sun damage. |
Last updated: May 4, 2026