Kalaupapa National Historical Park to offer guided public tours on Molokai

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – For the first time, Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the north shore of Molokai is offering guided public tours.

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Starting Thursday, July 9, park rangers will lead visitors on a “strenuous” 8-mile hike in hot, humid conditions, passing through the Kalaupapa Pali Trail to get in and out of the former colony for Hansen’s disease patients.

Participants must be able to navigate a 1,700-foot elevation change with 20 flights of stairs and more than 2,000 steps.

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The park is offering two tours per week — Thursdays and Saturdays — to visitors 16 years old and older. Tickets are $20 per person with a $1 non-refundable ticketing fee and reservations must be completed at least 24 hours in advance.

Reservations for the public tour can be made online here.

The guided tours come after Kalaupapa Saints Tours ceased operations following the passing of founder and longtime resident Meli Watanuki.

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These tours are the only way visitors can access the park.