Mule Ride to Kalaupapa Leper Colony, Molokai
You may already know the story of Father Damien's 19th century leper colony at Kalaupapa on Molokai.
The small isolated peninsula is today a National Historical Park and is still home to a small number of residents, now cured of what we today call Hansen's Disease.
Visitors can tour Kalaupapa thanks to mule skinner Buzzy Sproat and his sure-footed horse/donkey hybrids.
After Buzzy matches you up to the mule that he feels most looks like you, it's off to the trail.
After your first glimpse of Kalaupapa, it soon sinks in that the 3 mile cliff-side trail--with an elevation drop of 1664 feet and 26 switchbacks--is not for the faint hearted.
Though not a challenge for the mules, the switchbacks will have you holding tight to your saddle--unless of course you're Buzzy.
It doesn't take long to get over your initial nerves and you soon realize that, just like the mules, you can take the descent in your stride.
Of course, that doesn't mean you're not happy when you finally reach the bottom.
The sound of the ocean and the stunning shoreline are welcomed. And, as you make your way to Kalaupapa, a sign reminds you that you are entering Kalawao County - the smallest in the US!
After you dismount your trusty steed, it's time to take in the stunning views...and perhaps shake off some of the stress from the ride down.
An old school bus ensures that visitors don't wonder off on their own and serves as transport for the scenic tour of what will one day become a national park.
While there are plenty of opportunities to learn about Kalaupapa--and take some photos--it's the short drive out to Kalawao that brings the story of Father Damien to life.
St. Philomena Church is the last structure in Kalawao that bears witness to Father Damien's work with the original leper colony. The church interior includes holes in the floor that allowed those with leprosy to expectorate. As Buzzy explains...
Two islets mark where ships used to throw exiled patients into the raging water...too scared to bring them ashore to the colony.
As you make your way back up the trail, you realize that you only thought you knew the story of Father Damien.
Read our full write up on our visit:
Molokai Mule Ride to Kalaupapa
Photos of the Mule Ride down the cliffs to Kalaupapa and Kalawao, the former leper colony, now a national park, Molokai, Hawaii.
Molokai Mule Ride
If you find yourself on Moloka‘i, Hawaii, then a mule ride on the famed trail to Kalaupapa is almost a necessity. The ocean views are amazing along the switchback-filled trail that decends the sea cliffs towards Kalaupapa. Guided Molokai Mule Ride excursions are the only way to experience Kalaupapa, grave site of Father Damien, the heroic Belgium Priest who loved and served this colony of outcasts. You can also visit St. Philomena Church, where Damien preached to his banished parishioners.
Molokai Mule Ride
A trip to Molokai is an elixir for your mind, body, and spirit. It is a great stress reliever, a delicious departure from day to day life, an escape to the extraordinary. It is a place to experience new things, challenge your limits, come face to face with your fears, soak in tradition and history, bask in the sunlight, meditate in the mist, culture, breathe in the beauty of the island and its people, soul search or simply relax.
Molokai, is 25 minute puddle-jumping commute from Oahu, with breathtaking views from the air. As always, we approach this trip with two completely different views. Rick, his adrenaline pumping from the start, excited to greet every challenge. Sandi on the other hand, not so much. Afraid of flying, afraid of heights and fearful of everything else in between, not letting fear get in the way of experiencing something new has become a way of life.
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Moloka'i Lead Mule Ride from Kalaupapa
Going down the trail I took photos on the way back up I took video. These are the highlights from that video. I was in the lead so that's why there are no mules in fromt of me. The trip back up was a 3.1 mile trip with 26 switch backs traveling up 1,700 feet. The trip took about an hour and a half. Buzzy Sprout is the owner of The Kalaupapa National Historical Park & Guided Mule Tour. Go here: to find out more about the tour.
Molokai, Hawaii - Hiking to Kalaupapa
This weekend my mom and I had the opportunity to fly to Molokai and hike to Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement and National Historic Park.
Check out our blog for posts about our adventures, as well as our past travel itineraries, tips for traveling with kids, and gear suggestions.
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Music: Broke For Free - XXV
Hiking to Kalaupapa National Historic Park-- Molokai, Hawaii
For more on this beautiful and historic adventure, check out my blog post!
This hike has both beauty and history as you descend over 2,000 feet through a series of switchbacks in order to reach Kalaupapa, home to a preserved lepur colony. The hike is mostly in the trees, but you will get beautiful glimpses of the coastline as you can hear the waves crashing against the shore. The highlight of the hike is when you finally reach sea level and you are rewarded with views of a beautiful beach right up against Molokai's massive sea cliffs. Enjoy your time down here and the sobering tour of the historic Kalaupapa... the hike back up isn't quite as enjoyable.
Music-- Boardwalks (Sonny Alven Remix) by Little May
All footage was shot with a GoPro Hero 5 from the first person POV at 1080p at 60fps
Visit Molokai 2015
Explore the lush island of Molokai. From an unforgettable mule ride to the secluded Kalaupapa village, to the verdant slopes of Halawa Valley, to the tallest sea cliffs in the world. Molokai has a place for the adventurous side in all of us. Visit Molokai-Hawaii.com today!
Kalaupapa - A Story to Tell
2000. Kalaupapa, Hawaii is one of those rare places where the history that began in the 1860's is still alive today. Located on the rugged shore of Molokai, Kalaupapa was chosen as the inescapable place to isolate Hawaiians who had contracted Hansen's Disease, better known as leprosy. Some 50 people who had contracted the disease have chosen to live out their lives here. They provide a link between the past and the present and can best tell the story of Kalaupapa. A central part of that story has been Paschoal Hall. Built in 1916, Paschoal Hall is the largest structure in the community. Until the early 1960's it was the center of social gatherings. Because of its special meaning to residents, Paschoal Hall was chosen for a major historic preservation project. Leading the project was Bernie Weisgerber, a Forest Service Historic Preservation Specialist. This program highlights the efforts to restore Paschoal Hall and presents the historic preservation challenges that remain. Now and in the future, these structures will play a vital part in telling the story of Kalaupapa.
Heritage Site - Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Heritage Site - Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Molokai's Halawa Valley
Halawa Valley is not only beautiful, it's also one of Molokai's most historic and culturally significant areas. It is believed that Polynesians settled this valley as early as 650 A.D. Much of the valley floor was covered in staple crops like kalo (taro), and heiau (alters) dot the area surrounding the valley. The trail to Halawa Valley winds its way through a majestic landscape, ending at the 250-foot Mooula Falls. Access to the valley requires joining a guided tour, as the trail crosses private property.
Inside Hawaii's Secret Leper Colony
In this episode of A Broad Abroad, Paula Froelich gets a rare tour of Molokai Island's remote Kalaupapa village, where thousands of Hawaiians with leprosy lived under forced quarantine for 150 years.
Molokai Things to Do
Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown visits Molokai, Hawaii; Halawa Valley, poi making, Molokai Mule Ride, Kalaupapa, Molokai Stampede, goes kayaking & visits Ali'i Fish Pond. Read my first-hand review at
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters - Molokai Hawaii
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Customer Reviews
Absolutely worth every penny. Emery was a great pilot and tour guide. Can't wait for our next visit to do another part of the islands
I am continually impressed with the professionalism of Blue Hawaiian. Your operations set the standard for helicopter tours for safety and precision. Well done.
Erik and the staff were fantastic and the tour was AMAZING!!! Extraordinary way to see the island. I highly recommend it. I wanted to go right back up.
Welcome to the Blue Skies of Hawaii. Blue is the only helicopter tour company serving all four major Hawaiian islands: Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. That means wherever you go in the Islands of Aloha, you know exactly how to get the world's finest aerial tours: just remember the color of the sky.
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Video of our Hike on the Kalaupapa National Park Trail
Today we experienced what it was like to hike the Kalaupapa National Park Trail while others took the Molokai Mule Ride experience? Check out our video and some of the amazing scenes we saw... and you can also read our full blog post on the trail here:
Kalaupapa Lookout, Molokai
Leprosy | Forced Isolation | Kalaupapa National Historical Park
This National Park unit in Hawaii on Molokai preserves site and history of a former leprosy colony that opened here about 1866. Leper colony location chosen due to inaccessibility --- it is surrounded by nearly impassable cliffs. Half the fun is getting here either by cliff mule ride or airplane. There is also evidence of ancient and hisitoric occupation as well as spectacular sea cliffs, narrow valleys, a volcanie crater, a rain forest, lava tubes, caves and offshore islands.
Music pieces Porch Swing Days - slower and Angel Share
by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Now in the final year of a 5 year journey to experience all 417 National Parks Units in the United States and it's territories. Few have attempted it and even fewer have accomplished it! Come along for the ride and find your parks.
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Hiking in Palaau State Park. Molokai, Hawaii
Kalaupapa Overlook in Palaau State Park. Molokai, Hawaii. 8-30-13
Kalaupapa 2013
Awesome time of of being with KeAkua in the beauty of service.