Kalaupapa

Finally made it down to Kalauapapa. This is the place where lepers (now called Hansen Disease) were sent for more than 100 years. It is one of the most isolated places imaginable. The only way to access it is by plane, boat or via a 3 mile hiking trail that switchbacks the highest sea cliffs in the world. It is truly a stunning place.

My parents and I stayed there for 2 nights. It is only possible to stay the night if you are invited by a resident and we just happen to have an old friend from Maui who is in charge of the food service.

Today about 15 patients still live there. The area is run jointly by the State Dept. of Health and the National Park Service. About 100 people live there.

We toured the entire peninsula and saw amazing, remote places – caves, craters and abandoned structures. We also drank at the only bar and played in the weekly volleyball game.

A rollicking good time and then we hiked out the trail.