Molokai Leper Colony Tour

leaving Honolulu

I usually blog in order of when the event happened
but this one is moving up to the front of the list.

We flew to Molokai for a tour of a historic Leper Colony.

It was such an unusual and interesting place;
I wanted to write about it before I forget things.

Molokai is one of the 8 Hawaiian Islands.

It's about 66 miles Southeast of Oahu.

The Kalaupapa Peninsula is on the north coast of Molokai, 

Settlements were established in 1866 for quarantined treatment of persons with leprosy; 

these operated until 1969.

We flew from Honolulu to the small Molokai Airport 

which is centrally located on the western side of the Island.

Then, from there we flew into the Kalaupapa Airport which is essentially an open air garage.

The only way to get to the peninsula is to fly, hike or ride mules over a rugged mountain range. 

PUDDLE JUMPER

YES, ONLY 9 SEATS

NO SECURITY :) 

Here are s few neat pictures from our flights to Kalaupapa.

Diamond Head Crater with Honolulu in the background

WAIKIKI

East coast of Oahu

East coast of Oahu

Coming up on Molokai

coastline

rural town on Molokai

The first part of the tour was in Kalaupapa(west side of peninsula) 

where the Leper Colony survivors who chose to stay on the island, still live.

There are 14 of them ranging from the upper 70's to 90's.

this was out transportation around the peninsula- fitting

Awesome tour guide at memorial to Saint Marianne

Remains of original hospital and existing hospital in background

transportation over the Mt range

Book store- yes I bought one :)

The tour also took us to the original site of this community in Kalawao
(east side of the peninsula)

There were few remaining structures but we learned about where the ships dropped off the lepers. How they often made them swim to shore & dumped supplies into the sea.

Before Fr. Damien arrived they had to fend for themselves in caves. His aim was to create a community for the diseased to live in and share the Gospel with them.There was much fear of the disease, thought not to have a cure.

We had a bagged lunch in this beautiful place.

This church built in 1872, was renovated 3 times and is the last existing building on the site.

Fr, Damien's grave. Since, his body has been moved- becoming a saint has it's politics.

Fr. Damien

The flights back home were just as exciting as the rest of the day!

Lighthouse at airport

from plane North Shore of Molokai

amazing cliffs

coastline of peninsula

Back to Oahu

 

Honolulu, Waikiki, Diamond Head Crater

Pearl Harbor

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Molokai!