As a travel writer, I often get asked what the most memorable trip I’ve ever taken was. Without hesitation, I tell them that it was the Molokai Leper colony Hawaii tour.
It was one of those places that you visit that never really leaves you. I think about it often and plan to go back someday.
This trip all started out with a book. I love to read, especially books about places I’m traveling to or places I live in. I happened to be living in Hawaii at the time, and my sister recommended this Molokai book to me. I read the book and was blown away by the tragic, and little-known story of the Molokai Leper Colony called Kalaupapa.
Set in Hawaii more than a century ago, Molokai tells the tale of a little girl named Rachel who lives a happy life on the island of Oahu, until one day a red mark appears on her body. She discovers she has leprosy (actually called Hansen’s disease) and, at the age of 7, is sent off, alone, to the island of Molokai Leper Colony known as Kalaupapa where she will spend the rest of her life. There is also a sequel by the same author called Daughter of Molokai.
It’s a tale of tragedy, heartbreak, forgiveness, and love. The fictional part of this book is very moving, but what moved me, even more, was learning of this place for the first time in my life. How could I not have known about this terrible time or place in history? I knew that I had to see this place with my own eyes and learn more about this tragic history.
History of the Molokai Leper Colony Kalaupapa
Kalaupapa Molokai was first opened in 1866. Over the course of more than a century, more than 8,000 victims of Hansen’s disease lived and died here. The disease was introduced to the Hawaiians, who had no immunities to this, from visiting outsiders. There was no prevention or treatment for Hansen’s disease, so isolation seemed like the best solution to stop the spread of the dreadful disease. This law was carried out by King Kamehameha V.
Victims of the disease were transported to the colony by boat, in a cattle pen, after being forcefully taken from their homes. There was no way to leave the colony, except by boat, or scaling the 1700 foot sea cliffs. Supplies only came to the island once every year.
From a resident on Kalaupapa:
“One of the worst things about this illness is what was done to me as a young boy. First, I was sent away from my family. That was hard. I was so sad to go to Kalaupapa. They told me right out that I would die here; that I would never see my family again. I heard them say this phrase, something I will never forget. They said, ‘This is your last place. This is where you are going to stay, and die.’ That’s what they told me. I was a thirteen-year-old kid.”
Many residents of Kalaupapa did move on with their lives while on the colony. Some even got married and had children, however, any children born on Kalaupapa had to be taken away and put up for adoption or sent to a children’s home on Oahu to prevent them from contracting the disease.
From a resident on Kalaupapa:
“You know, the babies that were born inside here were not allowed to stay with their parents. After the babies were born, the law said they had to be taken away to the baby nursery in Kalaupapa. They were afraid of the contact—afraid the babies would catch the disease from their parents…. But some of my children, I will tell you this, some of them I kept longer. Most times, the babies were born in the night. We kept everyone quiet so the administrators and nurses would not hear the baby being born. All my babies were born in my own home, right here.”
St Marianne and St Damien of Molokai
Alongside the tragedy of Kalaupapa were stories of incredible courage and sacrifice. Father Damien, a Catholic priest, came to the colony to care for and minister to the residents. He ended up contracting Hansen’s disease and dying there. He gave his life in service of these people.
Marianne Cope, a religious sister from Germany, also came to Kalaupapa to care for the needy. She never contracted the disease.
Kalaupapa Today
The Kalaupapa leper colony is no longer a prison for those afflicted by Hansen’s disease but is now a refuge for the now-cured remaining residents who were forced to live their entire lives in isolation.
The colony has now been turned into a National Historical Park. Kalaupapa National Historic Park is located in an isolated section of the island of Molokai, at the bottom of the steepest sea cliffs in the world! Honestly, even without its fascinating history, Kalaupapa’s beauty alone would be enough to attract visitors. This part of the island is so untouched that it feels like stepping back in time.
But you can’t just visit the Molokai Leper Colony on a whim! There is a lot of planning involved, but this trip is so worth your time and effort!
Planning Your Visit to the Molokai Leper Colony: Kalaupapa
Just as in the 1800s, getting to the Kalaupapa leper colony is no easy task! It requires a lot of advanced planning. Here are some good things to know:
- You must obtain a permit in advance to enter Kalaupapa
- You must be 16 years or older to visit
- There are no medical facilities
- There are no food or shopping conveniences
- Pack your own lunch and water
- Pack out your own trash
- Photography of residents or property is strictly prohibited (and rude)
- There is no overnight accommodation
- You must be in good physical condition to visit due to the strenuous nature of the trip
Obtaining a Permit for Kalaupapa National
Obtaining a Permit for Kalaupapa NationalIf you visit Kalaupapa, you must first obtain a permit for visiting. You can do this by booking with the tour company. When you come to the colony, you can only visit with a guided tour run by Damien Tours LLC. They will take you around the area in an old school bus while teaching you about the tragic past of this special place.
How to get to Molokai Kalaupapa Leper Colony
*NOTE: You must book your Permit/Tour AND a way to get there separately.
Once you have booked your tour and obtained your permit, it’s time to decide how you want to get to the Molokai leper colony. You have three options:
- On Foot: Hike down the Kalaupapa Cliffs. The trail to Kalaupapa descends 26 switchbacks with a nearly 2,000-foot elevation change over 3.5 miles. It is a strenuous hike down that can get very muddy. Just remember that you have to hike back up too!
- By Plane: Fly into the colony on Makani Air from Oahu to Kalaupapa Airport, which is adorable. This is the easiest, but most expensive option and might be a good choice if you’re not physically able to make the trip on foot or via mule.
- By Mule: Take a ride on the steepest cliffs in the world on a mule! 1,700-foot cliffs with 26 switchbacks will be a ride you will never forget! This is the option I chose, and it was an amazing experience. I never knew what saddle-sore meant until this day. Wear jeans! You can check the Kalaupapa Rare Adventure website here for availability. (UPDATE: The Molokai Mule Ride company is out of business indefinitely due to land disputes with their landlord. I hope another company will take over or they will be able to work something out. You can read about it in the news here.)
Other Things to do in Molokai Island
Visiting the Kalaupapa leper colony is a great Molokai day trip from Oahu, but there are also other things to do in Molokai that make it worth staying overnight. Visiting Molokai, and especially Kalaupapa, can be very strenuous, so it might be a good idea to stay the night on the island once you are there. There are not very many Molokai resorts, and that’s what makes the island so charming. Discover the top ten things to do in Molokai.
If you’re going to Oahu, be sure to check out 15 Amazing Things to do in Oahu.
And if you’re heading to Maui, be sure to check out 15 Amazing Things to do in Maui.
If you’re going to Maui, be sure to check out this amazing Guide to Maui!
There are so many things to do in Hawaii, I hope this one makes your list!
This was one of the most memorable travel experiences of my life. I hope you get the opportunity to go in your lifetime. Please let me know if you have any questions or need help planning your trip to Molokai. You can connect with me via Instagram or Facebook.
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correction:
The disease spread so fast and grew so much because Hawaiians did not want to part with their beloved. They wanted to care for them at home. Despite the growing numbers and the contagious nature of this disease, these lovely Hawaiians never removed their loved ones from their families or homes. This testament of their loving and familial heritage is why the numbers were so high. The government instituted rules and tried less extreme ways of trying to reduce the spread and deaths but the Hawaiians would not stop caring or loving on their afflicted. Thus, the government in an effort to keep the population, now dwindling, from becoming decimated forcefully removed the ill. And took them to Molokai. And Father Damien did go and was disease free for decades while there on God’s errand until he also finally succumbed to the disease. The town of Molokai was a horrible place to live. The people who lived in it were living a bad life. They had so little to live for, without their loved ones, lost hope, sick, so sick they could not do for themselves as each would eventually become, the longer they lived. They could barely plant, many just went to the tavern and drank themselves into stupors. The living was sordid by those who felt there was nothing left to do. Many were out to get as much pleasure as they could before they would end as those they had seen demise before them. They barely had strength to bury their dead. It was horrific. This is what I learned from reading but I have never been there.
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One of my Mom’s dreams was to visit the leper colony. Unfortunately she came down with terminal pancreatic cancer and never got the chance. She did win a trip to Oahu so she and I visited the beautiful island and had a wonderful time, went by way to quick but the memories will last me forever. One day God willing I will do a pilgrimage and visit the colony. Steve
I’m so sorry for your loss and I’m glad you were able to spend that special time with her on the island. One day you’ll make it to Kalaupapa and it will be incredible. xo
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