Kalawao Molokai
Adjacent to the Kalaupapa settlement lies the ghost town remains of Kalawao. The seat of Kalawao County and its 147 residents make it only the second smallest county in the United States (behind Loving County, Texas). The county contains three small villages, Kalaupapa, Kalawao, and Waikolu.
Though ancient and remote, Kalawao offers some spectacular sites. One of these is St. Philomena Catholic Church, built by Father Damien during his time at the settlement in Kalawao County. Set against the back drop of the famous 2,000 foot high sea cliffs, the church and surrounding community lies isolated from the rest of Molokai. The church's cemetery is a reminder of the pain and suffering of those forced to exile in the settlement as well as the tireless dedication of Father Damien to serving these people.
The peninsula that makes up Kalaupapa and Kalawao is also home to the tallest lighthouse in the Pacific Ocean, the Molokai Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1909. At 138 feet, it remains one of the only working lighthouses still in existence in Hawaii. Visitors can access the lighthouse by entering the Kalaupapa National Historic Park by plane, boat, or mule tour through the mountains.
Hawaii Vacations
Molokai Hawaii
Kalawao Molokai
