Kalaupapa National Park in Hawaii was established in 1980 to commemorate the forced exile of those with Hansen’s disease and the triumph of those who cared for them. The area was used from 1866 to 1969 to isolate leprosy patients. Today, the park is only open to visitors via tours arranged through the Hawaiian Department of Health or Damien Tours. Visitors must bring plenty of water, good walking shoes, and light rain clothing.
Kalaupapa National Park is a beautiful stretch of land on the northern peninsula of the island of Molokai in Hawaii. The park was established in 1980 to celebrate both the tragedy of forced exile of those who contracted Hansen’s disease (leprosy) and the triumph of many who came to care for the sick and run the colony. The park is called a tranquil and contemplative place, still home to some who were once affected by the condition, though Hawaii no longer requires those who once had leprosy to remain isolated from friends and family.
The area that is now Kalaupapa National Park was used from 1866 to 1969 as a means of keeping leprosy patients away from the general population. Leprosy is now understood to be a curable disease that is not highly contagious. At the time, there was no cure for the condition and the Hawaiian government believed that forced exile was the only means to control the spread of the devastating disease. They chose the village of Kalawao on the Kalaupapa peninsula because it was isolated.
Although the area was where people could farm, living conditions were initially difficult and poor. The residents, who were now separated from family and friends for life and referred to by fellow Hawaiians as “the lost,” were deeply depressed by their new circumstances and their affliction of illness. They needed help, although some had family members who gladly agreed to come with them and were called “kokua” or helpers. Part of the attraction of Kalaupapa National Park are the monuments and statues that honor these helpers, who have willingly accepted exile to care for others.
Further help arrived with the arrival of a Belgian priest, Father Damien. He and members of other religions worked hard to improve the living conditions of Kalaupapa residents and to care for those too sick to work. Father Damien contracted the disease, but was not particularly careful about washing his hands. Eventually the advent of sulfonamides and then penicillin helped cure and cure the disease.
Today, Kalaupapa National Park is only open to visitors via tours, and you must arrange to tour the park through the Hawaiian Department of Health or through Damien Tours. If you don’t have a permit to visit the park, you can’t go. The only way to get to Kalaupapa National Park is by plane, mule, or sometimes buses, and you may not take anyone under the age of 16 with you. There are both mule rides and walking tours in the park, and you should prepare by bringing plenty of water, good walking shoes and some light rain clothing.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
