Kalaupapa National Historical Park is a United States National Historic Park located on 8,725 acres of land on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. It was established as a national park in 1980 and is home to the historic Hansen's disease (leprosy) settlements of Kalawao and Kalaupapa. Leprosy is a contagious bacterial disease that causes skin lesions and if left untreated, can cause permanent damage to the skin, eyes, nerves, and limbs. Starting in 1866 and lasting until 1969, Hawaiians who were afflicted with leprosy were forced into isolation on the Kalaupapa peninsula by the United States government.. Many of the surviving patients still live on the Kalaupapa Settlement today.
I chose this site because it is home to a lot of important history. At the same time, this history is not widely known. The forced isolation of lepers living on the islands of Hawaii is just another example of the rights of a minority group being denied. The leprosy sufferers lived in terrible conditions on Molokai and usually did not have access to medical care. Essentially, they were just left there to die without any government aid or support.
Aid finally arrived in 1873 in the form of Father Damien, a priest from Belgium who was assigned to the leprosy colonies. He was quickly able to overcome his fears of the disease and began to do everything he could to help the residents of the settlements. In addition to his duties as preacher, he built hospitals, orphanages, and homes. Father Damien eventually contracted leprosy after living on the island for sixteen years and eventually died. Today he is known as "the Apostle of the Lepers" or "the leper priest". He was declared a saint on October 11, 2009.
Although Molokai has very limited tourism, it does have a few attractions:
-guided mule tour through Kalaupapa National Historical Park (The park is only accessible by mule trail. Sadly, it is closed at this time due to heavy rains.)
-R.W. Meyer Sugar Mill Museum: This sugar refinery, which was built in 1878, has now been restored to its originally form. You can view sugar cane presses, copper vats, vaporization pans, and a steam machine.
Other Attractions!!
-Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii: view lava flows up close and personal!
-surfing on Waikiki Beach on Oahu
-Dole Plantation on Oahu: ride the Pineapple Express train and wander through the world's largest maze
Kalaupapa National Historical Park is a United States National Historic Park located on 8,725 acres of land on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. It was established as a national park in 1980 and is home to the historic Hansen's disease (leprosy) settlements of Kalawao and Kalaupapa. Leprosy is a contagious bacterial disease that causes skin lesions and if left untreated, can cause permanent damage to the skin, eyes, nerves, and limbs. Starting in 1866 and lasting until 1969, Hawaiians who were afflicted with leprosy were forced into isolation on the Kalaupapa peninsula by the United States government.. Many of the surviving patients still live on the Kalaupapa Settlement today.
I chose this site because it is home to a lot of important history. At the same time, this history is not widely known. The forced isolation of lepers living on the islands of Hawaii is just another example of the rights of a minority group being denied. The leprosy sufferers lived in terrible conditions on Molokai and usually did not have access to medical care. Essentially, they were just left there to die without any government aid or support.Aid finally arrived in 1873 in the form of Father Damien, a priest from Belgium who was assigned to the leprosy colonies. He was quickly able to overcome his fears of the disease and began to do everything he could to help the residents of the settlements. In addition to his duties as preacher, he built hospitals, orphanages, and homes. Father Damien eventually contracted leprosy after living on the island for sixteen years and eventually died. Today he is known as "the Apostle of the Lepers" or "the leper priest". He was declared a saint on October 11, 2009.
Although Molokai has very limited tourism, it does have a few attractions:
-guided mule tour through Kalaupapa National Historical Park (The park is only accessible by mule trail. Sadly, it is closed at this time due to heavy rains.)
-R.W. Meyer Sugar Mill Museum: This sugar refinery, which was built in 1878, has now been restored to its originally form. You can view sugar cane presses, copper vats, vaporization pans, and a steam machine.
Other Attractions!!
-Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii: view lava flows up close and personal!
-surfing on Waikiki Beach on Oahu
-Dole Plantation on Oahu: ride the Pineapple Express train and wander through the world's largest maze