Special Use Permits

Guidelines for Special Park Uses

Kalaupapa National Historical Park requires a Special Use Permit for certain events and activities. This includes, but is not limited to, filming, photography, public assembly, religious events, and commercial use providing the activity will not cause harm to the park's resources or values, visitor experiences, or the purpose for which the park was established. Special Use Permits are required by the National Park Service and are addressed in the Superintendent's Compendium.

Visiting Kalaupapa also requires a Visitor Permit. Members of the public who are interested in a general visit to the park can learn more on the Plan Your Visit page, the Permits and Reservations page, and the Guided Tours page. This page focuses on Special Use Permits.

Special Use Permits

Special Use Permits are required for short-term activities that take place in a park area and that:

• Provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large;
• Requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest;
• Is not prohibited by law or regulation;
• Is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the Service; and
• Is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease.

The decision to require a permit rests with the park superintendent and is based on potential impacts to park resources or the visitor experience.

First Amendment Activities and Special Use Permits

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are rights protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, and in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulation. People may exercise these rights in national parks, but the National Park Service still retains its responsibility to protect park resources and prevent impacts to park visitors. A first amendment permit is not required for groups of 25 individuals, or less, conducting first amendment activities in the park’s designated first amendment areas. There is one first amendment area designated in the park. It is located at 272 Damien Road (somewhat adjacent to the Kalaupapa Store, in the grass area between the pier warehouse and the road and across the street from the store front.).

Groups of 25, or more, or groups desiring to reserve designated areas in advance, require a permit. Unless permitted, the designated areas are first-come, first-served. Types of activities not considered first amendment include, but are not limited to:

• Church picnic or social gathering,
• Wedding ceremonies or receptions,Political fund raiser or other invitation-only political activity or event,
• Solicitation of donations,
• Community parades, athletics, or sporting events, or
• Sale of message bearing clothing, arts and crafts, or similar merchandise.

To apply for a special use permit, download this application
NPS Form 10-930.

Commercial Filming or Still Photography Permits (per 43 CRF)

All commercial filming requires a permit.

Commercial Filming includes all commercial filming activities taking place within a unit of the National Park System require a permit. "Commercial filming" means the film, electronic, magnetic, digital, or other recording of a moving image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience with the intent of generating income.”

Non-Commercial Filming may require a permit if a permit is necessary to manage the activity to protect park resources and values while minimizing conflict between user groups or to ensure public safety. Examples of non-commercial filming include, but are not limited to, filming for tourism bureaus, convention and visitor bureaus, and student filming. In most cases, a permit is not necessary for visitors engaging in casual, non-commercial filming. Still photography does not require a permit unless it uses a model, set, or prop or the agency determines a permit is necessary because it takes place at a location where or when members of the public are not allowed; or the agency would incur costs for providing on-site management and oversight to protect agency resources or minimize visitor use conflicts. *Visitors do not require a permit for filming or still photography activities unless the filming is commercial filming as defined or the still photography activity involves one of the criteria listed above.

To apply for a commercial filming or still photography special use permit download this application
NPS Form 10-931.

Ocean Access/Mooring Permits

As outlined in the Superintendent’s Compendium, “Permits are required for the use of a vessel (as defined at 36 CFR § 1.4) within the boundary of the Park. Use of vessels are subject to the requirements in 36 CFR Part 3 and any other applicable federal laws (such as U.S. Coast Guard regulations) and state laws and regulations. Visitors are not permitted to enter the Park, including especially the marine areas of the Park, by vessel except under a special use permit issued by the Superintendent of the Park. (36 CFR §§ 1.6 and 3.3).” “The only legal entry points for visitors to the park are the airport or the Pali Trail. Visitors who wish to arrive by boat must obtain a separate special use permit issued by the Superintendent of the Park. (36 CFR §§ 1.5 and 1.6)

National Park Service (NPS) policy requires a determination through a planning process that recreational boating is an appropriate activity at KALA before the Superintendent can authorize it under a permit (2006 NPS Management Policies, Section 8.1). The NPS has not completed the required planning process for recreational boating at this park and therefore cannot consider applications for that activity at this time. Approved Special Use Permits (SUP) for ocean access must have a nexus to Park or State Agency mission. Commuting to work can be considered, however the applicant must present satisfactory evidence that the use of this access location is reasonably necessary.

Application fees do not apply to ocean access/mooring requests.

To apply for a vehicle/watercraft special use permit download this application
NPS Form 10-933.

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Permit Application Process

1. Download and complete appropriate application form.

General Special Use Permit: NPS Form 10-930
Commercial Filming and Still Photography Special Use Permit: NPS Form 10-931
Watercraft Special Use Permit: NPS Form 10-933

2. Submit application and payment in two ways:

MAIL:
Complete printed applications and a check/money order made to “National Park Service” can be mailed to:

Kalaupapa NHP, Attn: Superintendent
290 Beretania Street Box 2222
Kalaupapa, HI 96742

ELECTRONICALLY:
Electronic applications can be emailed to: [e-mail]

Applicants should expect a response withing 7 business days with instructions on how to submit online payments via www.pay.gov.
Applications received electronically will not be processed until the payment process is complete.

The submission of an application cost recovery fee does not guarantee a permit will be authorized. In addition to the application cost recovery fee, the park is authorized to recover and retain all costs associated with monitoring and managing special use permits, as well as request a location fee, with the exception of First Amendment activities.

Please allow 30 days for processing your request.
For questions regarding permits contact our Special Park Use coordinator via email ([e-mail]) or phone [phone] ext 1103.

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Research Permits

Independent research studies conducted in the park, including data and specimen collection, require an NPS scientific research and collecting permit (2006 NPS Management Policies 4.2.2). The studies must conform to NPS policies and guidelines regarding the collection and publication of data, the conduct of the studies, and park-specific requirements identified in the terms and conditions of the permit. Projects will be administered and conducted only by fully qualified personnel and conform to current standards of scholarship, which can include Indigenous Knowledge.

Researchers must create an account here and submit an application to Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Our Research Permit Coordinator will conduct an initial review of the permit followed by review by the park interdisciplinary team to meet requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act. If you have any questions about the process or necessary detail required, please reach out to the Research Permit Coordinator.