KALAUPAPA GUIDED MULE TOUR National Historical Park & Guided Mule TourTHE TOURDETAILSRATES & RESERVATIONSTHE COMPANYPHOTOSHISTORY1835Leprosy is observed in Kamuli, a Hawaiian woman living at Koloa, Kauai. This represents the first documented case of leprosy in Hawaii.1864 Joseph De Veuster arrives in Honoluluon March 19. He is ordained on May 31 in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peacein Honolulu and is known as Father Damien.1865 "An act to Prevent the Spread ofLeprosy" is signed into law by King Kamehameha V on January 3. This actauthorizes the setting apart of land for the purpose of isolating personswith leprosy..1866 The first "shipment" of patientsto the Leprosy Settlement at Kalawao, Molokai, is made on January 6. Thefirst group consists of 9 men and 3 women.1873 
Father Damien, age 33, arrives
at Kalaupapa on May 10.
Efforts are heightened to "apprehend"
and isolate all persons with leprosy.
1885 
Father Damien is "offically" diagnosed
as having leprosy and the news is made public.
1889 
Father Damien dies on April 15
at the age of 49.
1946 
The Board of Hospitals and Settlement
authorizes the use of the sulfone antibiotics at Kalaupapa. Sulfone therapy
is started on six patients and the medication seems to produce changes
overnight.
1969 
Hawaii's century-old isolation
laws are abolished. Legislation calls for the use of the term "leprosy"
rather than "Hansen's Disease" with the idea that a concerted effort should
be made to educate the public to accept the disease under its original
name. All new cases are treated strictly as outpatients.
1980 
President Carter signs Public Law
96-565 establishing Kalaupapa National Historical Park.
The State Legislature again decrees
"Hansen's Disease" rather than "leprosy" to be the official terminology
in Hawaii. This action is based on the feelings by persons with the disease
that use of the term "leper" perpetuates the stigma still associated
with the disease.
Historical Data Provided by:
The National Park Service
U.S Department of the Interior
Mahalo  For Visiting
The Book
"The Lands of Father Damien", is a spectacular, new book by a local author on the subject.
Kalaupapa National Historical Park was established on December 22, 1980. Still in its formative years, it is dedicated to the past, the present and the future. It is dedicated to preserving the memories and experiences of the past in order that valuable lessons might be learned from them. It is dedicated to providing a well-maintained community to ensure that present residents of the Settlement may live out their lives in this, their home. And, it is dedicated to the education of present and future generations with regard to a disease that has been shrouded in fear and ignorance for centuries.
The park is open Monday through Saturday, by invitation only. Visitors must be at least 16 years of age.  
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
In the cool Molokai uplands, a pack of mules prepare for the day's ride down to the