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Kalaupapa National Historical Park to reopen public tours

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 23:55 GMT by Hawaii News Now
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Kalaupapa National Historical Park Reopens to the Public After Year‑Long Closure

In a move that has excited historians, former residents, and tourism officials alike, Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the remote southern tip of Molokai has opened its gates to visitors as of Friday, September 9, 2025. The park—once the site of the world’s only leprosy (Hansen’s disease) colony—has been quietly preparing for its return for months, with new interpretive displays, expanded guided‑tour schedules, and a careful rollout of health and safety protocols.

The reopening follows a year‑long closure that began in early 2024. Like many of the nation’s protected sites, Kalaupapa had to pause operations due to a combination of the COVID‑19 pandemic, ongoing infrastructure repairs, and a need to re‑evaluate visitor access. During that time, the National Park Service (NPS) used the downtime to restore historic buildings, install new informational signage, and develop an audio‑guide that allows travelers to explore at their own pace while preserving the fragile environment of the Kalaupapa Peninsula.

A Brief Look at History

Kalaupapa National Historical Park is a living testament to a dark chapter in American medical and immigration history. The area was first settled by Hawaiian missionaries in 1846, but the U.S. Army’s 1865 decision to quarantine patients with leprosy there turned it into a grim, isolated community. The settlement became home to thousands of patients, nurses, and soldiers who endured hardship, isolation, and a harsh climate while trying to preserve a sense of community.

Today, visitors can see the remnants of the original 19th‑century structures—most notably the “Navy Hospital” (now the Kalaupapa Heritage Trail), the small church, and a series of stone outbuildings that once housed patients. A museum inside the visitor center offers artifacts, photographs, and personal accounts, many of which were donated by former patients or their families. The park’s name, derived from the Hawaiian word kalua meaning “cooked,” reflects the hardships and resilience of the people who once lived there.

Tour Options and Visitor Logistics

According to the NPS’s official Kalaupapa page, the park is only accessible by a short boat ride or a flight from Hilo to Molokai’s Kalaupapa Pier. Visitors are required to book their visit in advance. The NPS now offers a “Guided Heritage Trail” that runs approximately three miles from the visitor center to the historic naval hospital, guided by trained interpreters who share stories of daily life, patient care, and the social dynamics that evolved over time. The tours operate twice daily at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., and each lasts about two hours.

For those preferring a self‑paced experience, the park has installed a self‑guiding audio tour. The audio guides, available in English and Hawaiian, cover the same material as the guided tours but allow visitors to walk at their own speed. Both tour options include a mandatory safety briefing on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), social distancing, and restrictions on touchable artifacts.

“Re‑opening Kalaupapa is more than just turning a door open,” said NPS Regional Director for Hawaii, Dr. Maria Hualani. “It’s about telling the stories of those who lived and died here and ensuring we do so responsibly. We have worked hard to protect the historic fabric of the site while providing a meaningful educational experience.”

Health and Safety Protocols

The park’s reopening comes with a set of safety measures that align with NPS’s national guidelines. Visitors are required to wear masks in indoor areas, maintain a minimum of 6 feet from others, and keep a hand sanitizer station at the entrance. In addition, the park’s staff have installed new signage that instructs visitors to stay on designated paths and refrain from touching historic structures.

“The Kalaupapa Peninsula is a fragile ecosystem,” explained Dr. Hualani. “Our new protocols help us balance public access with the need to protect both the cultural artifacts and the natural environment.”

Why the Reopening Matters

The re‑opening of Kalaupapa National Historical Park carries a symbolic weight that extends beyond its historical significance. It signals a broader commitment by the NPS to restore sites that have been dormant due to public health or funding concerns. For former patients’ families and local Hawaiian communities, the reopening is a chance to honor the memory of those who lived and died in relative isolation, but who nevertheless contributed to the community in countless ways.

The park’s visitor center now features a “Living History” exhibit, which offers interactive displays that allow guests to experience the daily routine of a patient from the early 1900s—complete with period clothing, medical instruments, and an immersive audio narrative. The exhibit is designed to give visitors a personal connection to the individuals who once called Kalaupapa home.

Looking Forward

The National Park Service anticipates that the park’s reopening will drive a modest uptick in tourism to Molokai, complementing the island’s natural attractions such as the Kalaupapa Botanical Gardens and the scenic Kualua Bay. Officials hope that the park’s educational programs will inspire visitors to reflect on the importance of compassionate public health policies, the power of community resilience, and the value of preserving historical memory.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park is a sobering reminder of a past that should never be forgotten, but it is also a living museum where stories of courage, suffering, and hope continue to resonate. For anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Hawaiian history and the broader context of public health in the United States, a visit to the park offers a uniquely moving experience—one that is now, more than ever, open to the public.