Hidden Hawaii And Remote Kalaupapa Reopen For Tours After Pandemic – Discover The Untold History Behind This Isolated Leprosy Settlement

Published on September 9, 2025

Kalaupapa, a distant peninsula successful Hawaii, is group to resume guided tours aft being closed for nan first clip successful decades owed to nan COVID-19 pandemic. The settlement, known for its history arsenic a leprosy colony, will invited visitors starting this month. The area had been closed to protect nan fewer remaining patients, each of whom are complete 80, from nan virus.

A Historical and Isolated Location

Kalaupapa is simply a peninsula surrounded by 2,000-foot cliffs, which person made it 1 of nan astir isolated regions successful Hawaii. Due to its distant location, it has traditionally only been accessible by mini plane, boat, mule ride, aliases done an hours-long hike. At present, recreation to Kalaupapa is permitted solely by plane, arsenic confirmed by nan Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

The colony was established successful 1866, erstwhile nan Kingdom of Hawaii began isolating individuals diagnosed pinch leprosy, known coming arsenic Hansen’s disease. This argumentation of exile lasted until 1969 erstwhile it was officially lifted. More than 8,000 individuals, mostly Native Hawaiians, died successful Kalaupapa, marking nan peninsula arsenic a spot of awesome suffering and resilience.

The Legacy of Saint Damien and Saint Marianne

Among nan astir salient figures successful Kalaupapa’s history are Saint Damien and Saint Marianne, some of whom dedicated their lives to caring for those afflicted by nan disease. Damien, a Catholic leader from Belgium, arrived successful Kalaupapa successful nan precocious 19th period to supply assistance to nan patients. He himself contracted leprosy and died location successful 1889. His selflessness and compassion earned him canonization by nan Catholic Church successful 2009.

Saint Marianne, a German-born nun, followed a akin way of service. She spent decades caring for nan patients earlier passing distant from earthy causes successful 1918. She was canonized by nan Church successful 2012. Their legacies proceed to animate group worldwide, and their stories are cardinal to nan knowing of Kalaupapa’s history and its value arsenic a tract of compassion.

Life astatine Kalaupapa Today

Today, Kalaupapa remains a profoundly meaningful place, wherever nan fewer surviving patients of nan original colony proceed to live. The authorities of Hawaii, done nan Department of Health, is responsible for managing nan settlement. Meanwhile, nan National Park Service operates nan Kalaupapa National Historical Park, which offers tours that thief sphere and stock nan history of this bonzer place.

Currently, only six patients, each of whom are cured of leprosy, unrecorded successful Kalaupapa. These patients, who scope successful property from 84 to 101, person chosen to stay successful nan settlement, arsenic it has go their home. Three of these individuals unrecorded successful Kalaupapa full-time, while nan remaining 3 sojourn periodically. Despite being free to leave, galore of nan patients person expressed their desire to stay, arsenic nan colony has go an integral portion of their lives.

Guided Tours for Visitors

In a bid to sphere nan privateness and dignity of nan remaining patients, entree to Kalaupapa is strictly controlled. Tours of nan peninsula are nan only measurement for visitors to acquisition this humanities site. These tours are facilitated done Kalaupapa Saints Tour, which was founded by 1 of nan settlement’s erstwhile patients, Meli Watanuki. The tours are now being tally connected Watanuki’s behalf by Seawind Tours & Travel, nether nan activity of CEO Randy King.

To participate successful these tours, visitors must beryllium astatine slightest 16 years aged and get a visitant licence from nan Department of Health. Seawind Tours is responsible for helping to process these permits. The resumption of tours has been delayed owed to nan logistical challenges of nan location. A utilized van purchased by Watanuki for transporting visitors had to hold for nan presence of a barge that only reaches nan peninsula erstwhile a year. The van yet arrived connected September 6, 2025, clearing nan measurement for nan reopening of tours.

Challenges of Reopening nan Settlement

The reopening of Kalaupapa for tours has faced galore challenges, chiefly owed to its distant location. The island’s isolation has meant that nan infrastructure required for transporting group and equipment is limited. As a result, nan reopening of nan colony has required observant coordination and planning.

The presence of basal supplies and vehicles, including nan van mentioned earlier, has been slow, pinch barge services to nan peninsula arriving only erstwhile a year. However, pinch nan logistical hurdles now mostly overcome, nan colony is fresh to resume its tours and stock its poignant history pinch visitors erstwhile more.

A Unique and Solemn Experience

Visitors to Kalaupapa will person nan opportunity to study astir nan history of leprosy, its devastating effect connected nan Hawaiian people, and nan efforts made to attraction for nan afflicted. They will besides brushwood nan stories of nan courageous individuals who devoted their lives to helping nan patients, including nan 2 saints whose activity continues to resonate today.

Despite nan challenges, nan resumption of tours to Kalaupapa offers a uncommon and moving opportunity for group to link pinch nan past and summation a deeper knowing of nan settlement’s legacy. Visitors will beryllium capable to witnesser nan singular resilience of those who lived there, and to bespeak connected nan heavy compassion that continues to specify Kalaupapa.