Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The settlement is very quiet, and residents tend to stay indoors while the tour is going
on. With their history of being persecuted and stigmatized, you can't blame them for
avoiding curious tourists, but the guide says that residents welcome visitors because it
helps prevent their story from being forgotten. Restoration of village buildings is ongo-
ing and the homes that have been restored are small and tidy, with covered lanai, clap-
board siding and tin roofs. Other sights are mainly cemeteries, churches and memorials.
Buy drinks and snacks at Fuesaina's Bar, which is run by Gloria Marks, the wife of the
late Richard Marks, who was something of an ambassador for Kalaupapa for many years.
A park
visitor center
doubles as a small museum and bookstore, with displays of items
made and used by former residents ('Kalaupapa Patients Adapt & Innovate') and books
and films about the settlement for sale.
On the way to the east side of the peninsula is
St Philomena Church
(better known as
Father Damien's Church), in
Kalawao
, which was built in 1872. You can see where
Damien cut open holes in the floor as a way to welcome the sick, whose disease made
them need to spit frequently. The graveyard at the side contains Damien's gravestone and
original burial site, although his body was exhumed in 1936 and returned to Belgium. In
1995 his right hand was reinterred here. The large black cross on the revered Father's
grave is adorned with shells and lei.
The tour stops for lunch at Kalawao after a short drive through lush greenery dotted
with colorful lantana vines. On the way, keep your eyes open for a heiau just past the wa-
ter wells; the remains of the ancient temple are on the same side as the wells.
The amazing view from Kalawao could be reason enough to visit the peninsula. It
gives you a glimpse of MolokaŹ»i's Pali Coast. This impenetrable section of the northern
shore contains two majestic valleys and
Kahiwa Falls
, the state's longest waterfall, and is
a popular film location for producers needing an almost otherworldly landscape. It
served as 'Skull Island' in the second - and less impressive -
King Kong,
from 1976.
Tours
Molokai Mule Ride
TOUR
MAP
only way down the
pali
besides hiking, but be prepared - this is not an easy ride. You'll
be sore afterwards, even if you're an experienced rider, and it's a safe bet that you've
never experienced a ride like this one.
