The remote Kalaupapa peninsula on the Hawaiian island of Molokai housed a settlement for Leprosy patients from 1866 to 1969. When it was closed, many residents chose to remain.
The remote Kalaupapa peninsula on the Hawaiian island of Molokai housed a settlement for Leprosy patients from 1866 to 1969. When it was closed, many residents chose to remain.
Courtesy Deaprtment of Health, Hawaii
Over the years, more than 8,000 leprosy patients lived on the settlement. It gradually developed into a small town, with shops, churches, and police enforcement. Paschoal Hall is the community social hall and theater.
Over the years, more than 8,000 leprosy patients lived on the settlement. It gradually developed into a small town, with shops, churches, and police enforcement. Paschoal Hall is the community social hall and theater.
Carrie Mardorf, NPS
Many Kalaupapa residents lived in individual cottages, with gardens. Children and less healthy adults generally lived in communal homes.
Many Kalaupapa residents lived in individual cottages, with gardens. Children and less healthy adults generally lived in communal homes.
NPS Park Cultural Landscapes Program
Joseph Dutton worked as a missionary at Kalaupapa in the 19th century, and is pictured with patients. Until 1969, Hawaiian law allowed people with leprosy to be forcibly taken to the settlement.
Joseph Dutton worked as a missionary at Kalaupapa in the 19th century, and is pictured with patients. Until 1969, Hawaiian law allowed people with leprosy to be forcibly taken to the settlement.
Courtesy NPS Archives
Nancy Brede (bottom left), pictured with her husband Jimmy (bottom right), was taken from her family and sent to Kalaupapa in 1936, when she was just 13. She spent her life there. Now aged 92, Nancy and her husband recently moved to a hospital in Honolulu.
Nancy Brede (bottom left), pictured with her husband Jimmy (bottom right), was taken from her family and sent to Kalaupapa in 1936, when she was just 13. She spent her life there. Now aged 92, Nancy and her husband recently moved to a hospital in Honolulu.
Baron Chan, DOH
The harsh cliffs and rough tides surrounding Kalaupapa allow only one window of time per year in which a barge can bring supplies of gasoline, large goods and canned foods. Cargo planes bring fresh produce three to four times per week.
The harsh cliffs and rough tides surrounding Kalaupapa allow only one window of time per year in which a barge can bring supplies of gasoline, large goods and canned foods. Cargo planes bring fresh produce three to four times per week.
Baron Chan, DOH
In the early 20th century, a steamer regularly traveled to Kalaupapa from other Hawaiian islands. People and goods were brought ashore in rowboats, some of which capsized in rough waters.
In the early 20th century, a steamer regularly traveled to Kalaupapa from other Hawaiian islands. People and goods were brought ashore in rowboats, some of which capsized in rough waters.
Courtesy NPS Archives
The "dispensary" where patients were once treated.
The "dispensary" where patients were once treated.
Courtesy NPS Archives
Pictured, graves at Kalaupapa. Many patients died there during its years as a leprosy settlement.
Pictured, graves at Kalaupapa. Many patients died there during its years as a leprosy settlement.
Baron Chan, DOH
The peninsula has six churches of different denominations as well as other religious buildings.
The peninsula has six churches of different denominations as well as other religious buildings.
Carrie Mardorf, NPS
Kalaupapa once had up to six bars in operation, including Rea's Bar, pictured, which was run by a patient. Today, it is used as a storage space for the one bar that's still open, called Fuesaina's.
Kalaupapa once had up to six bars in operation, including Rea's Bar, pictured, which was run by a patient. Today, it is used as a storage space for the one bar that's still open, called Fuesaina's.
NPS Park Cultural Landscapes Program
The only land route off the peninsula is by the trail on the neighboring cliffs. During its time as a leprosy settlement the trail was guarded by a watchman at all times.
The only land route off the peninsula is by the trail on the neighboring cliffs. During its time as a leprosy settlement the trail was guarded by a watchman at all times.
Courtesy Department of Health, Hawaii
The gas station at Kalaupapa was built in the 1930s. Residents are allowed seven gallons of gas per week.
The gas station at Kalaupapa was built in the 1930s. Residents are allowed seven gallons of gas per week.
NPS Park Cultural Landscapes Program
A sign painted by former patient Ed Kato. His rock paintings and signs were placed all around settlement.
A sign painted by former patient Ed Kato. His rock paintings and signs were placed all around settlement.
NPS Park Cultural Landscapes Program
The settlement's main warehouse was built around 1931 and many of the supplies sold at the Kalaupapa store (left) are still kept there.
The settlement's main warehouse was built around 1931 and many of the supplies sold at the Kalaupapa store (left) are still kept there.
NPS Park Cultural Landscapes Program
Father Damien, known as Saint Damien of Molokai, was a Belgian priest who arrived at Kalaupapa in 1873. He lived with the patients, before himself contracting leprosy. He died in 1889, and was later canonized for his works at the settlement.
Father Damien, known as Saint Damien of Molokai, was a Belgian priest who arrived at Kalaupapa in 1873. He lived with the patients, before himself contracting leprosy. He died in 1889, and was later canonized for his works at the settlement.
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