Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Kalaupapa, once a place of forced isolation, is now a living community that supports the last remaining residents cured of Hansen’s Disease, as well as threatened and endangered species and significant cultural sites. Visitor tours are carefully designed to protect resident privacy, safeguard natural resources, and preserve the cultural sites that make Kalaupapa unique. Access to Kalaupapa is limited to two methods: by airplane or by trail. The programs listed here provide trail only access and operate under a group permit issued to the National Park Service by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health. The trail is very tough. Plan for a half-day and check each tour description closely.Kalaupapa, once a place of forced isolation, is now a living community that supports the last remaining residents cured of Hansen’s Disease, as well as threatened and endangered species and significant cultural sites. Visitor tours are carefully designed to protect resident privacy, safeguard natural resources, and preserve the cultural sites that make Kalaupapa unique. Access to Kalaupapa is limited to two methods: by airplane or by trail. The programs listed here provide trail only access and operate under a group permit issued to the National Park Service by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health. The trail is very tough. Plan for a half-day and check each tour description closely.
Kalaupapa National Historical Park is a restricted access site. Visiting the park is restricted to NPS-authorized tours. Unauthorized access may result in arrest and/or fines.
This trail is considered strenuous: it is 3 miles one way with a 1,600‑foot elevation change. Because of the site’s layout, hikers descend the trail at the start of the tour and must climb back up the same route at the end.
Children under the age of 16 are prohibited from entering Kalaupapa National Historical Park (state statute)
The only amenities available in the settlement are a public toilet and a water fill station. There are no food services, no cell coverage, and no emergency services
Visiting Kalaupapa National Historical Park is by reservation only. Reservations are available up to 30 days in advance and until the day before the tour. No walk-up tickets are available. Reservations are available only through Recreation.gov.
This tour is not fully accessible due to steep elevations and stairs on the trail. The Kalaupapa Overlook, located at Pala’au State Park is accessible. Please call 808 567-6802 for more information or visit the park website.
You will need your own transportation to reach the trailhead, located 9 miles from the Molokaʻi Airport. Parking will be marked with a sandwich board near the entrance to Palaʻau State Park. Renting a car is the most reliable option, as public transit is limited and there are no rideshare services on the island. Taxis are available, but they generally operate on an on‑call basis.
Tickets for Kalaupapa National Historical Park tours will become available 30 DAYS in advance of the tour date at 3p.m. Hawaii Time (HST). The booking window closes 24 hours prior to the tour start time.
Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour time for a full refund less the non-refundable per-ticket reservation fee. Refunds will not be given for tours cancelled or modified less than 24 hours before the scheduled tour time.
PO Box 2222 Kalaupapa HI 96742
808-567-6802