Kalaupapa National Historical Park

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Last Updated: December 7, 2025

Kalaupapa National Historical Park, located on Molokai, Hawaii, is uniquely known for its poignant history as a former leprosy (Hansen’s disease) settlement.


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Summary

Accessible only by hike, mule ride, or small plane, it offers stunning sea cliffs—the tallest in the world—lush landscapes, and dramatic ocean views. The park preserves the stories of patients forced into isolation and the caregivers, like Saint Damien. Entry requires permits; access is limited and guided tours are recommended. Top highlights include Kalaupapa Peninsula views, wildlife like monk seals, and the Kalaupapa Trail. Best visited in the drier months (April–October); no entrance fee.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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