|
Quick Facts
Molokai is fifth
in size among the Hawaiian chain. It is the most Hawaiian island with 7,500 residents of which over half are of true Hawaiian ancestry. Every year, the Hula Piko Festival celebrates the birth of the romantic Hula dance which originated here on Molokai many years ago. On Molokai's North shore, you'll find the Kalaupapa peninsula made famous by the Blessed Father Damien, a Belgian priest who dedicated his life to caring for the
leprosy patients of Hawaii.
Kalaupapa Molokai tour (Father Damien)
In past years, we have had people from all walks of life and from all over the world come to Hawaii to visit this Godly place. It is something you will never forget.
Your 25 minute narrated air tour takes you along Maui's north shoreline across the Paliolo channel to the island of
Molokai. You will fly by the highest sea cliffs in the world and numerous waterfalls, some over 2000 feet high. Landing on the remote Kalaupapa peninsula, you'll be escorted by your host on a four hour ground tour.
Father Damien's Grave Site in Kalawao
This unforgettable and heartwarming tour takes you through the historical leprosy colony made famous by the late Father Damien. At one time, fear of this disfiguring disease resulted in the afflicted being torn from their loved ones, thrown into cages and literally dumped off the coast of Molokai. They were expected to swim to shore and make a home for themselves with virtually no help from the outside world. That was until Father Damien heard of their plight. With his help, the disease was fought and brought under control and now the few people that remain there, tell their own story during a four hour tour of the peninsula. The story is told in a way that makes you feel very, very humble. This is one tour that anyone visiting the islands should never miss as you take a little of
Kalaupapa with you. It is by far our most popular tour.
A must see.
Departs Kahului, Kapalua, and Hana
$255.00 per person
(Includes lunch)
Waterfall on the north shore of Molokai.
The Molokai Mule Ride
Fly to Molokai and learn to be a muleskinner for the day. Your tour takes you and your mule down the Kalaupapa trail. As you descend to the bottom the scenery is breath taking. On reaching the Kalaupapa settlement, you'll be met by a representative of Damien tours who will take you on a humbling tour of this historic area made famous by the late Blessed Father Damien. This four hour tour is both educational and uplifting. You will learn of the incredible tales of how ordinary people were torn from their loved ones, caged, and transported by ship to the dreaded leprosy colony of Kalaupapa. On arrival, they were forced to swim to shore and there, fend for themselves. The Blessed Father Damien, hearing of their plight,
traveled to the colony and spent the remaining years of his life caring for the people of Kalaupapa. After your picnic lunch, it's back up the Kalaupapa trail on your trusty mule to the Molokai airport where you will return to your point of departure.
Departs Kahului, Kapalua, and Hana
$455.00 per person
The Kalaupapa Trail
Hike in to Kalaupapa
Hike down the 1700 foot Pali (cliff) trail to the Kalaupapa settlement. As you step onto the trail, you will see the majestic cliff line of Molokai along with the highest sea cliffs in the World.
The hike will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. At the end of the trail, you'll be met by a representative of Damien Tours who'll escort you on the rest of your visit to Kalaupapa (approx. 3 hours). After lunch,
you will take the tour bus back to the Kalaupapa airport, for your flight back
to your original point of departure.
*You must be a better than average hiker.*
**Unless you are invited by one of the residents, you must take the tour offered by
Damien Tours of Kalaupapa. Visitors must be at least 16 years old.**
Departs Kahului, Kapalua, and Hana
$269.00 per person
(Includes lunch)
Kalaupapa-Blessed Damien
This place is where once three thousand called home until a cure was found for
leprosy (Hansen Disease in the 1940's). Kalaupapa is on the north shore of Moloka'i, 2000 feet
Sea cliffs that stretch to almost 4,000 feet, the kept the Kalaupapa residents from escaping this
cruel and barren place. Then Father Damien arrived in Kalaupapa, Moloka'i from
The Big Island of Hawaii, where he helped the
people of Kalaupapa, get the respect they deserved. Kalaupapa grew to
support the patients and is now a National Historical Park.
Kalaupapa, Molokai was formed by a central crater now full of water and its bottom is known to be a least
800 feet. While this area is generally referred to as
Kalaupapa, it is in fact, Makanalua Peninsula which is divided into three districts: The
Kalawao district on the eastern edge;
Kalaupapa and the settlement of Kalaupapa to the west; with Makanalua
in the center. Kalaupapa's reputation as a leprosy colony is well-known
throughout the world.
Hansen's disease, the
proper term for leprosy, is believed to have originated in China and spread to Hawaii. The
first documented case of leprosy in Hawaii occurred in 1848. Its rapid spread and
unknown cure precipitated the urgent need for complete and total isolation.
Surrounded on three sides by the Pacific ocean and cut off from the rest of
Moloka'i by 1700-foot fortress like sea cliffs. The area was void of all amenities. No buildings, shelters nor potable water were available. The first arrivals dwelled in rock enclosures, caves, and in the most
rudimentary shacks built of sticks and dried leaves.
In 1873, when Father Damien entered the
settlement of Molokai at age 33, he made a decision to set aside his fear of contagion. He embraced the lepers, cleaned and bandaged their wounds, and the Hawaiians knew his concern and love for them was unprecedented.
Father Damien was the only one to bring the leprosy patients the succor they so greatly needed. He not only administered the consolations of religion, but also rendered them with as much medical and bodily comforts that were within his power. He dressed their ulcers, helped them erect their dwellings, dug their graves, and made their coffins.
In December 1884, Father Damien noticed severe blisters on his feet without the presence of pain. After twelve years of service (1885), he discovered that he had symptoms of the disease. Nevertheless, he continued with his work. As death approached, the disease invaded his windpipe and progressed to such an extent that he could only sleep but for a few hours. His voice was reduced to a whisper. Leprosy was in his throat, lungs, stomach, and intestines. As the end drew near, he made his confessions to his own Congregation on March 30, 1889 and two weeks later, on April 15,1889, Father Damien died. It was Holy Week. Some weeks before, Damien had said that the Lord wanted him to spend Easter in heaven.
With the advent of sulfone drugs in the 1940s, the disease was put in remission
and the sufferers are no longer so called contagious (we have since
found out that Leprosy was never contagious). The fewer than 40 former patients
remaining on the peninsula are free to travel or relocate elsewhere, but most have
chosen to remain where they have lived for so long.
|
