The Gas Station

Kalaupapa's gas station was built in 1934 and during the first year of operation gas was 13 cents.

NPS / Glauco Puig-Santana

Quick Facts

Location:

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

MANAGED BY:

State of Hawaii

Amenities

2 listed

Fuel (Unleaded), Parking - Auto

In 1932, estimates for Kalaupapa's first gas station were made. The service station was planned to be twelve by sixteen feet and have a gas pump, a compressor, and lubricating oil tanks. The floor is concrete, the walls are constructed from painted concrete tiles, and the roofing is fireproof.

Once it was finished in 1934, the people of the settlement were allowed to fill their vehicles at their very own gas station. During the first year of operation, gas was 13 cents a gallon. People were allowed to purchase gas every day except Saturdays and Sundays. Eventually, people were only allowed to buy gas twice a week, which eventually turned into once a week.

The gas station still operates today. Gasoline arrives on the annual barge in tankers. The price of gas is fixed throughout the year and is based on the purchase price of gas in O'ahu. People are allowed ~6 gallons each week and can only purchase gas at certain times on certain days of the week.