Kalaupapa National Historical Park on Hawaii

Kalaupapa National Historical Park - Molokai
Photo by: National Park Service

Although it may be hard to reach, the Kalaupapa National Historical Park is another of Molokai’s more unusual tourist attractions worth considering, with guided tours explaining the world-famous and rather unexpected history of its past, isolated settlement.

The Kalaupapa National Historical Park enjoys a remote setting on the Kalaupapa Peninsula and because of this, can be hard to reach. Since it’s not connected by roads, and almost entirely surrounded by the ocean and steep cliffs, it means that visitors will need to either ride down the steep trail on mules, take a boat, or fly into Kalaupapa Airport.

The park was set up in 1980 and is dedicated to the lives and experiences of the former leper colony, which was known throughout the world and completely isolated here between 1866 and 1969. Literally thousands of Hawaiians infected with leprosy once lived here, being shipped in to the village of Kalawao from all over Hawaii.

Today, several local residents with leprosy (Hansen’s disease) still live here and have been treated with modern medicines.

Commercial tours of the main attractions and available and very interesting, although do bear in mind that you will require a permit from Hawaii’s State Department of Health, before you are actually able to enter the settlement.

This Molokai island on Hawaii tourist attraction is open daily and admission is free.

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    Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove

    Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove - palm trees Molokai
    Courtesy of: worldisround.com

    On the Hawaiian island of Molokai, there is a wonderful coconut grove that was planted in the 1860′s by King Kamehameha V. King Kamehameha V. was nicknamed Kapuaiwa, and selected this particular site due to the seven sacred ponds located here.

    The King ordered 1,000 tall, royal coconut palm trees to be planted on Molokai to represent each individual warrior in his mighty army, in addition to shading his sacred bathing pools of the ali’i (royalty).

    The Kapuaiwa coconut grove is located on the south shore of Molokai, approximately 1.5 miles west of the town of Kaunakakai.

    Sadly, not many of the original coconut palm trees still stand today. The original one thousand coconut trees covered about an area of ten acres. Now only a few hundred of these beautiful palms are still there.

    Due to the danger of heavy coconuts falling from the tall palm trees, entering through the palm tree grove is not allowed.

    But all is not lost. Take in a fabulous sunset view of the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove from the nearby Kiowea Beach Park.

    You can also view a concrete military bunker, located at the ocean’s edge of the grove as a real historical reminder of WWII.

    To reach the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, go east on Highway 460 from the town of Kaunakakai. You will then see the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove on your left, across the street from Church Row.



    Humpback Whale Watching from Molokai

    Hawaii Humpback Whale watch

    The Kalaupapa National Park resides on the northern shoreline of Molokai and is known for its exceptional scenery and natural attractions.

    However, during the winter months, from usually November to April, tourists from around the world will flock to Molokai to try to catch a glimpse of the migrating whales.

    Large numbers of North Pacific humpback or kohola whales are often clearly visible from the elevated areas of Kalaupapa National Park. Humpback whales will migrate in the channel between Molokai, Maui, and Lanai. Whale watchers can also spot dolphins, which swim around the island throughout the year.

    The gentle giants of the Pacific Ocean come to the warm Hawaiian waters every year to breed and give birth to new whale calfs. It’s best to schedule a tour or charter a boat to spot these magnificent creatures up close.

    There are several, seasonal whale watching tours that regularly depart from Kaunakakai Harbor. Those excursions provided by the Molokai Princess are particularly notable because they allow passengers to get much closer to this gentle giants.

    Bringing your camera is an absolute must to catch unbelievable images of nature.