Damien Tour

Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement Hike/Air Tour

16 years or older.

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Hawaii's greatest adventure!

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Hike down a 1700' sea cliff on a 2.9 mile trail to the Kalaupapa National Historic Park.

Tour the park with Damien Tours where you will hear unbelievable stories of struggle and suffering which were overcome by great courage and love. Visit Father Damien's St. Philomena Church and his early grave site.

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For those choosing to fly down, and up, please call Molokai OUtdoors at 1-877-553-4477

Test your stamina with the Hike and Hike.

This fabulous trip is only for the extremely physically fit visitor over 16 years old. Please make sure you have Doctors clearance before booking this trip. Average hiking time is 1.5 hours down.

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Under 21 Id is required

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Do you want to purchase a shirt, I hiked the trail? Please call us at 1-888-553-4477 to order your shirt.

We have added this into the options and price includes shipping and all taxes. If you want to receive a further discount then come and meet us on Molokai to pick up your shirt.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT KALAUPAPA

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Kalaupapa National Historical Park was established on December 22, 1980. Still in its formative years, it is dedicated to the past, the present and the future. It is dedicated to preserving the memories and experiences of the past in order that valuable lessons might be learned from them. It is dedicated to providing a well-maintained community to ensure that present residents of the Settlement may live out their lives in this, their home. And, it is dedicated to the education of present and future generations with regard to a disease that has been shrouded in fear and ignorance for centuries.

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The park is open Monday through Saturday, by invitation only.

Visitors must be at least 16 years of age.

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1835

Leprosy is observed in Kamuli, a Hawaiian woman living at Koloa, Kauai. This represents the first documented case of leprosy in Hawaii.

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1864

Joseph De Veuster arrives in Honolulu on March 19. He is ordained on May 31 in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu and is known as Father Damien.

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1865

"An act to Prevent the Spread of Leprosy" is signed into law by King Kamehameha V on January 3. This act authorizes the setting apart of land for the purpose of isolating persons with leprosy..

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1866

The first "shipment" of patients to the Leprosy Settlement at Kalawao, Molokai, is made on January 6. The first group consists of 9 men and 3 women.

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1873

Father Damien, age 33, arrives at Kalaupapa on May 10.

Efforts are heightened to "apprehend" and isolate all persons with leprosy.

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1885

Father Damien is "offically" diagnosed as having leprosy and the news is made public.

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1889

Father Damien dies on April 15 at the age of 49.

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1946

The Board of Hospitals and Settlement authorizes the use of the sulfone antibiotics at Kalaupapa. Sulfone therapy is started on six patients and the medication seems to produce changes overnight.

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1969

Hawaii's century-old isolation laws are abolished. Legislation calls for the use of the term "leprosy" rather than "Hansen's Disease" with the idea that a concerted effort should be made to educate the public to accept the disease under its original name. All new cases are treated strictly as outpatients.

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1980

President Carter signs Public Law 96-565 establishing Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

The State Legislature again decrees "Hansen's Disease" rather than "leprosy" to be the official terminology in Hawaii. This action is based on the feelings by persons with the disease that use of the term "leper" perpetuates the stigma still associated with the disease.

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DAMIEN TOUR

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Upon arriving in Kalaupapa, you'll be met by your Damien Tours guide and for the next few hours you'll experience one of Hawaii's most remarkable tours, in a community hidden from the world for so many years.

You will learn about the leper colony, its people, incredible tales of struggle and human suffering, along with stories of courage and love.

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You'll see the grave site of Father Damien, the heroic Belgium Priest who loved and served this colony of outcasts. (Click image for larger view...) Visit St. Philomena Church, where Damien preached to his banished parishioners.

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Enjoy your lunch, (Please bring your own) at Judd Park on the scenic Kalawao side, overlooking sea cliffs and waterfalls, dramatic ocean rock formations and crashing surf.

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