Kalaupapa Peninsula sits against tall sea cliffs on Molokai. From 1866 to 1969, Hawaii isolated more than 8,000 people with Hansen’s disease, also called leprosy, in this settlement.
The colony started during a time of fear and misunderstanding about the disease. Lawmakers wanted to stop its spread and chose Kalaupapa for its isolation.
Kalaupapa is now preserved, offering a window into Hawaii’s past. The story of the settlement continues to shape local culture and identity.
Exploring the history of Molokai’s leper colony reveals resilience and community. The experiences of those who lived there still leave a lasting impact.
Origins and Establishment of the Leper Colony
Molokai’s northern coast provided natural isolation with steep sea cliffs and rough waters. Hawaiian leaders selected Kalaupapa Peninsula as a quarantine site because Hansen’s disease was spreading in the 19th century.
Molokai and the Kalaupapa Peninsula
Molokai is part of the Hawaiian Islands in the central Pacific. Its northern shore features sea cliffs rising over 2,000 feet.
The Kalaupapa Peninsula extends into the ocean at the base of these cliffs. Surrounded by water on three sides, it was both accessible by boat and cut off from the rest of the island.
Before becoming a leprosy settlement, the peninsula supported small Hawaiian fishing villages. People lived near Waihanau Valley, where fresh water and fertile soil supported crops.
The isolation that once protected these communities later led to the area’s use for forced relocation of patients.
Early Hawaiian Communities
Native Hawaiians lived on the Kalaupapa Peninsula for centuries, as shown by archaeological evidence. They built stone house platforms, grew taro, and fished in nearby waters.
Waihanau Valley supplied water from springs and streams. The land grew breadfruit, sweet potatoes, and other crops.
Fishing provided food year-round from coastal ponds and reefs. Families kept cultural traditions, maintained religious sites, and cared for burial grounds.
This way of life continued until the mid-1800s, when disease and government policy changed the population.
Arrival of Leprosy in Hawaii
Hansen’s disease appeared in Hawaii by the early 1800s. Foreign sailors or laborers likely brought it.
The illness spread slowly at first, but cases increased by the 1850s. Symptoms included skin lesions and nerve damage, leading to social stigma.
There was no known cure, and fear of contagion was high. Hawaiian leaders and foreign advisors debated how to control the disease.
As cases increased, the government decided to separate patients from the general population. This action led to the creation of the Kalaupapa settlement.
Creation of the Leprosy Settlement
In 1865, King Kamehameha V and the Hawaiian legislature passed the “Act to Prevent the Spread of Leprosy.” This law allowed the forced isolation of those diagnosed with the disease.
Officials chose the Kalaupapa Peninsula for its natural barriers. Patients first went to Kalawao on the eastern side, which had better boat landings.
The settlement later expanded to include Kalaupapa village on the western side. From 1866 onward, authorities exiled thousands of men, women, and children here.
Kalaupapa became part of Kalawao County, a unique jurisdiction in Hawaii. Today, it is preserved as a National Historical Park to honor its history.
Life and Community in the Kalaupapa Settlement
Life in the Kalaupapa Settlement mixed hardship with moments of care and connection. Residents built routines, places of worship, and support systems to help each other live with dignity.
Daily Life and Challenges
From 1866 to 1969, the government sent people diagnosed with Hansen’s disease to Kalaupapa Settlement or nearby Kalawao. The steep sea cliffs and rough ocean made leaving nearly impossible.
Residents built small houses, often with their own hands. Many worked gardens, raised animals, or maintained community buildings.
Supply ships brought food, but bad weather sometimes delayed deliveries. Medical care was limited in the early years.
Pain, disability, and stigma affected daily life. Despite these challenges, people formed friendships and shared meals.
Role of Faith and Churches
Faith became central in community life. Father Damien, later known as Saint Damien, arrived in 1873 as a priest and caregiver.
He helped build homes, organize work, and improve sanitation. St. Philomena Church in Kalawao became a spiritual center.
Services provided comfort and a sense of belonging. Other churches later served different denominations.
After Father Damien died, Mother Marianne Cope and her fellow sisters continued his work. They cared for the sick, taught children, and maintained the churches.
Religious gatherings also became social events that brought residents together.
Support and Caregivers
Support came from kokua—healthy family members or volunteers who chose to live in isolation to help loved ones. They cooked, cleaned, and assisted with medical needs.
The Hawaiian Kingdom and later the Hawaii Department of Health sent nurses, doctors, and administrators. Over time, medical treatments improved, and trained caregivers could better manage symptoms.
Strict isolation rules made visitors rare. Some outsiders visited through programs like Damien Tours, which share the settlement’s history.
Caregivers often stayed for years and built deep bonds with residents.
Evolution of the Settlement
The settlement changed over the decades. In the early years, residents lived under strict rules with little freedom.
Gradually, housing improved and more community facilities were built. By the mid-20th century, new treatments for Hansen’s disease reduced the need for isolation.
In 1969, the government ended the forced quarantine. Many chose to stay in Kalaupapa because it had become their home.
Today, Kalaupapa National Historical Park preserves the area. The Hawaii Department of Health helps manage it, protecting the stories and historic buildings.
Legacy, Preservation, and Modern Significance
The Kalaupapa and Kalawao settlements on Molokai remain rare examples of preserved communities that once enforced medical isolation. The area holds historical, cultural, and personal meaning for former residents, their families, and visitors.
End of Forced Isolation
In 1969, Hawaii ended the legal isolation of people with Hansen’s disease. Effective treatments had been available for decades by then.
Some residents chose to remain in Kalaupapa rather than return to the outside world. They valued the close-knit community they had built.
The Hawaii Department of Health continued to oversee the settlement, providing medical care and essential services. Kalawao County, which covers the peninsula, remains the smallest county in the United States by population.
Travel to Kalaupapa is still restricted. Visitors must get a permit and usually arrive by small aircraft or guided tour.
This protects the privacy of remaining residents and preserves the area’s unique history.
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
In 1980, the U.S. Congress created Kalaupapa National Historical Park to preserve the settlements’ physical and cultural landscape. The National Park Service works with the Hawaii Department of Health to maintain the site.
Historic buildings, churches, cemeteries, and patient homes are preserved to show life during the settlement years. The park also protects the natural environment, including the sea cliffs and coastline.
Access is limited to protect both the environment and the dignity of remaining residents. Local residents operate Damien Tours, which offer guided visits and share stories of life in the settlement.
The park serves as a memorial and an educational resource. Visitors learn about the social and medical history of Hansen’s disease in Hawaii.
Remembrance and Ongoing Impact
Kalaupapa’s history shapes conversations about public health, human rights, and community resilience. Former residents and their descendants share their experiences through oral histories, photographs, and public talks.
Memorials honor more than 8,000 people who lived and died in the settlement. Grave markers, plaques, and restored buildings display personal artifacts.
Schools and cultural groups partner with educational programs to keep the history alive. Books, documentaries, and museum exhibits also share the story of Kalaupapa.
