Kalaupapa: Why Hawaii's Most Isolated Town Stays Isolated

Sign up for a CuriosityStream subscription and also get a free Nebula subscription (the streaming platform built by creators) here: CuriosityStream.com/ext
Watch a Nebula-exclusive bonus video with the most interesting answers from our interview subjects that we couldn't fit in this video: nebula.app/videos/extremities...
Watch Extremities on Nebula: nebula.app/extremities
Our other channels:
Wendover Productions - / wendoverproductions or nebula.app/wendover
Half as Interesting - / halfasinteresting or nebula.app/hai
Follow us on twitter: / wendoverpro
Special thanks to Anwei Law--author of Kalaupapa: A Collective Memory--and Henry Law--collectively the team behind the "International Organization for Integration Dignity and Economic Advancement: www.idealeprosydignity.org/
Special thanks to Colette Higgins, who you can hear more from in this lecture on Kalaupapa: • Three Queens and the P...
Writing by Tristan Purdy
Editing by Alexander Williard
Audio by Graham Haerther
Motion graphics by Josh Sherrington and Maddy
Thumbnail design by Simon Buckmaster
Project management by Gina Giorgi
Select footage courtesy the AP Archive and Getty Images

[@davidschaftenaar6530]

In 2013, I visited a similar former 20'th century leper colony on the Greek island of Spinalonga. It was swarming with tourists despite their being no accommodations for them whatsoever. Spinalonga is a barren rock in the middle of the sea; Kalaupapa is prime, green, beachfront, flatland real estate surrounded by imposing cliffs... The people who you've spoken to are very, very right to be concerned.

[@dustyowl99]

hawaii is obviously much more isolated. Not really a real comparison.

[@CoffeeKitty.]

@@dustyowl99 the rest of hawaii shows that if it's allowed, people will swarm it no matter how remote. same thing with the himalayas having literally tens of thousands of tourists swarming it at any given time

[@Harry-rj6kh]

Just one of many places that will eventually ruined by tourism, and videos like this are helping to do it. Now every Tom, Dick and Harry will want to see it.

[@dontmindmanny3363]

Locals don’t want you there stay away and respect there wishes

[@verothomas1524]

There’s only one way in, small little 8 seater plane. The mule trail is not always open and it’s controlled. Plus, the colony is essentially a graveyard

[@dominicmariano9201]

I spent 2 weeks in Kalaupapa in 2019 as a contractor for Hawaii DOH. When people ask me what it was like, I reply "It was very, very quiet". My last day there I tried climbing up the mule trail, the top of which collapsed in a landslide in 2018. I was very surprised this video made no mention of saints Damien and Marianne Cope. I get that we don't want two Europeans to overshadow the native Hawaiians in the story of Kalaupapa, but they are important enough to at least get a mention.

[@mall0w]

I was surprised too. Statues of Father Damien and King Kamehameha I represent Hawaii in the National Statuary Hall Collection in DC.

[@MadSocial]

Well Sam did say there is another video uploaded to Nebula that had a lot more details that he didn't have room to fit in this video. He could have mentioned it there.

[@jonathandefazio4010]

I am surprised too. Saint Damien really really did a lot of good for the people of Kaluapapa but the video seems to say that the mid late 1800s were all gloom and doom, but they really weren't with Saint Damien and Marianne there.

[@kauimanera726]

This guy need to learn how to pronounce Hawaiian words properly.

[@fish_birb]

Knew this town from Flight Simulator X, it feels surreal finally seeing it getting the Wendover treatment!

[@aishikpanja3931]

Same. I've flown into the airport from Molokai and Kahului

[@fish_birb]

@@aishikpanja3931 mine was literally the "Hawaiian Checkout" mission! God it was such a nostalgic trip once I redid it in both FS2020 and the original mission in FSX:SE too!

[@harrytrueman4216]

So you guys fly over the islands this channel covers?

[@braedonvangorkom3408]

Yeah! With the opening aerial views, I knew it was from that mission!

[@andrewniedziela]

I found it randomly on Google Maps and was fascinated through research of it. Surreal for me also, I thought it'd make a good video of my own.

[@j.f.aitchison9903]

Why not a single mention of Father Damien? He did great work in that community; eventually contracted leprosy and died of it there

[@gamer242mooo]

I think he wanted to speak to the Hawaiian first rather then the POV of an outsider

[@ZadieBear]

Friends I grew up with would regularly visit Kalaupapa to volunteer with the Catholic Church. Their children (now in their 20's) are expected to continue the family tradition. I believe they are in the 4th generation of volunteering.

[@michaeljcross87]

Why no mention of St Damian of Molokai? The most famous person to ever live there who chose to live with the lepers and administer to them. He eventually succumbed to the disease.

[@kelseyito9227]

I live in Hawaii and I didn't know all of this! Awesome video! Also Ni‘ihau is another remote Hawaiian island which would make a good video 😁

[@JunkPhuJP]

Same!

[@daviddavis4885]

All I know about Niihau is that the post-Pearl Harbor Niihau Incident was the official justification for Japanese internment camps 😅

[@seasaltlover]

Yeah! Ni'ihau you need to basically be invited there to visit I believe

[@daeseongkim93]

@@seasaltlover by the Robinson Family and the Hawaiian settlement there

[@dancers10]

Leave these people alone!

[@Maxyy40]

My friend and I were literally listening to extremities podcasts when we visited Molokai last December. Kind of Meta seeing it all over again.

[@HiKimiko]

As someone who is from Hawaii, it was nice hearing Colette Higgins speak about Moloka'i. I also appreciate that the pronunciation of "Kalaupapa" improved after she spoke about 3 minutes in. I learned about Kalaupapa when I was in elementary school and that it was a sacred place designated to both prevent further infection but also to comfort those afflicted. Mahalo for sharing :)

[@jeizache]

you and your twins have great voices 🤭

[@omair.raza1]

Yep, twins

[@theMcWOPPER]

Wendover, half as interesting, and this channel are all run/narrated by the same person. No twins here.

[@jordanstewart6012]

@@theMcWOPPER your fun

[@mirzaahmed6589]

@@theMcWOPPER We know. That's the joke.

[@lexysexy]

@@theMcWOPPER r/woooosh

[@karmakazi219]

In 2005, I spent a few days on Molokai with a friend. We hiked as far down the mule trail as you are allowed to go without a mule and a visitor pass. I hope they will be able to preserve this amazing place and keep it from turning into another mega-tourism area. Hawaii already has plenty of that.

[@lordlin]

Hi Sam, great story as usual. I'm a Malaysian, may i suggest you to look into Kampung Baru, literally means New Village that sprung out during British Colonialism as a chinese internment camp to separate the support for communist guerillas in Malaya, most of them still exist today.

[@thechacokid1599]

‘Curated isolation’. Don’t know if you made up that phrase, but thanks, Sam, I’m using it!

[@spyczech]

Also applicable to museum curators during quarantine

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

"Spielbergian grandeur" is another wonderful phrase.

[@zch7491]

👁 ❤️ 😡 🌞

[@chompythebeast]

Evocative of phrases like "willful ignorance", phrases which aren't exactly contradictions or oxymorons but which modify the noun in unexpected or abnormal ways

[@mall0w]

Great video, was expecting mention of Father Damien at least once. Isn't his statue along with King Kamehameha in Washington D.C. National Statuary Hall?

[@CharCharCoolKid]

Honestly my favorite channel of his. Longer videos slap, especially to watch while working out.

[@dylanlee7496]

Feels good to see Hawaiian history being shared

[@ardenigleheart9467]

You should do a video about one of the Aleutian Islands!

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

It'll be really interesting to see the course of Kalaupapa's existence in the next few decades. Once its moribund population dwindles, it'll be a ghost town. At least the NPS can provide a bit of protection to make sure the settlement's legacy isn't forgotten or replaced by urban development.

[@davedoe6445]

of course, it's a great idea to use the might of the government to only allow selected insiders access to an area.

[@calebweldon8102]

Maybe they should allow development in a few years, people would love to live there

[@oBlasterBox]

I love this channel.

[@saturnv2419]

"I told you these walls are wired, at first you hate them, soon you get used to them, and finally you could not live without them."

[@EricsWorlds]

There are no walls in paradise.

[@E4439Qv5]

@@EricsWorlds Book of Revelation spends an inordinate amount of time talking about twelve gates, so I don't suppose I agree there.

[@CanyonF]

@@E4439Qv5 gates are doors, not walls

[@E4439Qv5]

@@CanyonF Granted, however... it's rather useless to have a gate without a wall, no?

[@CanyonF]

@@E4439Qv5 maybe its just artistic i dunno lol

[@k3m0sabe]

Its incredible how much the Hawaii islands look like the Azores islands, and they are on two different oceans. No wonder so many azoreans emigrated to Hawaii.

[@gargravarr2]

Yeah, Kalaupapa totally reminds me of Faja da Caldeira de Santo Cristo, a tiny village in a similar location, reached by 3,5km of walking on a cliffside path.

[@fakename2336]

azores located in the middle of the atlantic, hawaii located in the middle of the pacific

[@winnietheshrew2957]

They are both situated at roughly the same latitude and both are of volcanic origin.

[@schalitz1]

@@winnietheshrew2957 little off there buddy Ponta Delgada (the biggest city in the Azores) is 16 degrees north of Honolulu. I've been to the Azroes if you're at least partially Southern Europen you don't need sunscreen. (Azroes are 37 degrees north, while Honolulu is 21 degrees north)

[@jira6423]

Mainly because they are both made from the same geological process.

[@simondaigneault3182]

Thank you so much for the 21:9 aspect ratio, makes the whole thing a lot more enjoyable!

[@Dirsmuutio]

You're welcome.

[@corro202]

Great video.

[@bilguana11]

No mention of Saint Damien. The late Richard Mark gave the best tours and was instrumental in getting it to become a National Park.

[@taterkaze9428]

Nicely done.

[@osirisandilio]

Was here Christmas of 2004. Hiked the trail in and out, 3.5 miles and nearly 2000 feet of elevation. It is the greatest place I've ever been, Molokai is absolutely awesome!

[@MrPopples72843]

About 4 years ago I visited, and it was such an incredible, eye opening experience

[@christianhamel4862]

Great story and nicely done ✔ 👏 👍

[@JunkPhuJP]

Yo… local of Hawaii here. I heard about Molokai, and how the joke is that Molokai is even more isolated from the rest of the islands. But I’ve never heard of this town until now

[@daeseongkim93]

lol im local too from oahu but was thought in school about kalaupapa, the leper colony and father damien

[@MissTEO1]

@@daeseongkim93 I would hope all kids in both Hawaii and mainland are taught about Kalauapa, leper colony, Father Damien, and the locals that took care of them Such an important part of history that should not forgotten!

[@AGDinCA]

Very interesting story!!

[@jamesmyers421]

My Dad was a one time volunteer at the settlement during the 70's. He told us hilarious stories with the people he grew to love. He also told us about the intense sadness that is palpable there because of their isolation. The people know that they would be mocked or stared at, so they keep to their small world. In a way, I'll be glad when the people there no longer feel like they have to stay hidden, and can join everyone else in the sun.

[@michaelc.ateoate979]

Most of my friends that were born on Molokai got off that Island as soon as they could! Same with some of my friends from Niihau

[@lleong1742]

Well done video. Compassionate presentation of the people who lived there. So devastating to be forcibly torn away from your family (especially since o'hana is a important part of the culture) and sent into isolation.

[@CaptainKiwwi]

6:41 I like how you pronounced Kamehameha like "KAME HAME HA!" from Dragon Ball Z, instead of what I believe is actually supposed to be pronounced like (the much more Hawaiian sounding) "Ka-meha-meha" lol.

[@dylanlinn8795]

i flew over the town a few years ago and i really wish i decided to land, terrible winds near those cliffs make it a exciting area to fly around.

[@chasingtheclouds]

What an incredible story.

[@RyanLackey]

You left out the story of Saint Damien (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Damien).

[@ArtyCraftZ]

Of course, he was a white man.

[@MrPopples72843]

I was surprised about that as well

[@enid0mom]

By coincidence, I just finished a book, “The Colony,” by John Tayman. One of the most important stories of the history of the settlement is Father Damien, a Catholic priest, who came to Kaluapapa in 1873. In 1883, a group of 7 Catholic nuns, led by Mother Marianne, came to help in the care of the patients. Father Damien contracted Hansen’s disease by 1878 and spent the rest of his life in the Colony. Because of their work and sacrifice, and much else, Father Damien and Mother Marianne were both canonized as Catholic Saints in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI. Other denominations have also made the mark on Hawaii.

[@user-tw4ru4jr9k]

My sister,Helen, and I rode the mules down the cliffs to Kalaupapa some years ago...We were met by a man who was a healed leper. He took us by bus to the community center where they fed us a wonderful sandwich and gave us a drink..We boarded the bus once again for a tour of the Island. Stopped at Father Damien's Church..Sat on the benches to the side of the church where patients say and were able to spit in the holes on the flooring that was provided for them....while out wonderful driver gave a lecture...This man was chosen to go to Belgium to be awarded and to represent the Island. I believe it was when they removed Father Damien's body to be buried at his home grounds...experience this all was....It was difficukt to get back on the mules , however!!!!!🌺 What a wonderful

[@yashtirpude8513]

Geat video..

[@aprilbotts9266]

I have had the honor of flying into Kaluapapa twice for medical work. The people are so kind and the place gives vibes of beauty- sacred ground and amazing history. The lighthouse is quite dramatic too!!

[@porirvian8457]

Great video...Should do a video on the Chatham Islands...:D

[@elizabethschreffler9182]

I have heard alot of stories from my Hawaiian Auntie. I discovered Kaluapapa on my own via KZbin. I cry every time I watch a video.

[@versi0nzero]

this reminds me of Supai, Arizona!

[@fakename2336]

yeah, i think hes gonna do an episode on that one too

[@MrFreddyd3]

Wait...nothing on the people who transformed Kalaupapa from an unlivable hell to thriving community? No mention of Saint Damien of Molokai or Saint Marriane Cope of Molokai? Disgraceful revisionist history!

[@kaheaonalanitamure8499]

My family is from Moloka’i my favorite Island to visit no tourists just peace and quiet….Eō Molokaʻi Nui A Hina ❤️🌈🌸🌺

[@timswafford5047]

I would love visit

[@963ag]

Because of the isolation, I am sure that the natural flora and fauna has remained pristine - especially as opposed to more touristy places. When visiting the Hawaiian islands, Molokai shouldn't be forgotten - tranquilty, history, beautiful scenery and unspoiled beaches are to be found there.

[@agustinmendezposadas]

You should do a video on Tierra del Fuego island

[@9385dee7]

Damn I wanna watch that Gander episode

[@buddyclem7328]

21:58 😊 SMILE- IT NO BROKE YOUR FACE !

[@zeroone8800]

This was the second least populated county in American in the 2010 census. The Mayor of the county is the Director of the Hawaii Department of Health. One of the previous health directors died in a plane crash at that airport.

[@aidenhenrie4736]

Kalawao county, the county that Kalaupapa is located in, is actually the smallest county in the country by land area and by population.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Yeah, I remember seeing it on Wikipedia and getting confused why there's a county that small, and then getting even more confused why there's a county that was established as a leper colony.

[@j.obrien4990]

This Island would be a great place to stage the revival of the Hawaiian language.

[@newq]

It's alive and well on Ni'ihau.

[@aussietom85]

Loving the new channel!

[@maxfi878]

I first thought the name as Kalakauppa, which is "fish shop" in Finnish.

[@dew12u]

6:41 King Kamehameha sounds a lot different when you say it. :P

[@hanoapuaa]

I’m From Maui. And such a good video. And yes we have way to many visitors esp now. Please stay home if your thinking of coking

[@themcbeef]

really well put together, and I can't wait for more!

[@arantes6]

It would be cool to also have subtitles on the Nebula version of this video

[@tilumu8799]

Are there subtitles on most of the nebula videos, also from other creators? I’m not a native speaker, thinking about subscribing to nebula, it would be great to know this before signing up. 😊

[@arantes6]

​@@tilumu8799 It really depends on the creator. Some put subtitles in (almost) every video, some do not. Usually, the same ones who have custom subtitles in their youtube videos (not the auto-generated subtitles), also have them on nebula.

[@loucam08]

Disappointing to see these vids get so few views, people can't be bothered to travel over to a different channel can they

[@mikec1651]

drgn also, even though I had subscribed and asked for notifications this video did not come through. Maybe some sort of You Tube blindness. m

[@lukelambert3494]

Love this!

[@vredesduifje]

As a Belgian, the history of Moloka'i and Kalaupapa is very familiar. Of course it's seen through the eyes of Pater Damien, more than the natives, sadly. But it is something we learn about and the narrative is changing about how it's being taught. Interesting to see a video that explores this place much more.

[@bhzucker]

Great video. For those interested, I recommend the historical fiction novel "Moloka'i" by Alan Brennert. I was lucky enough to visit Kalaupapa as a tourist back in 2016. NPS *must* preserve this place and its stories.

[@lynettepatten904]

My fav book! Did you know Robin Williams had the film rights?!(He would have won the Oscar portraying the German Doctor. Everything was messed up from a Belgian film using the name for a film about Father Damien. The cast was there the day I had hiked down and had the tour from the mayor. The lovely retired priest who had lovingly created the museum was incredible to talk with.

[@larcomj]

@ 3:39 dman it mule is said go, feel the wrath of my heal.

[@D-Rockk]

Wendover

[@closmasmas9080]

6:39 That is a portrait of King Kamehemeha I not King Kamehameha V

[@maxwalker1159]

Interesting

[@desert_jin6281]

I once again thank you for this insightful documentary and especially applaud, among other, your sound editing.

[@LaniJeb96960]

I would volunteer to move there

[@mrraimundo130]

You know

[@acim2228]

I LIVE 10 MILES FROM THIS PIC. THATS BIG ISLAND EINSTEIN

[@jasminej.524]

Mahalo kēia wikiō. Ua heluhelu au i ka moʻolelo ʻo Molokaʻi. In the article, it did say that Moloka'i was the least touristy of the islands. I cannot believe that people were basically dumped there without consideration for their future or quality of life after arriving. But the kamaʻāina truly show aloha by making it their kuleana to care for the people in the colony.

[@awapuhi9]

Oh, look. Your comment only has one Like. Thanks, Google.

[@kingmalu39]

I had a dream about this place. I never even been there before in my life.

[@ikeekieeki]

fascinating history of this unique place. i hope it can remain protected.

[@kevind814]

Did I miss when the lighthouse was built, and by who?

[@chapa435ify]

Considering that the supplies ship needs to go the peninsula........

[@renerpho]

It was built in 1909. www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=137 gives a nice overview of its history.

[@kevind814]

@@renerpho Good link thanks!

[@Louis-fh4sh]

I'm really loving this channel. It's a little less impersonal than Wendover Productions, feels genuinely like a passion project. Super interesting topics and you do a really good job at transporting us there.

[@cynic2201]

To recommend a place for you: Corvo, Portugal

[@hualani6785]

As kama’aina (local to Hawaii) Im curious what brought Kalaupapa to your attention? It wasnt stated if you’ve visited, albeit given the year of the video, w/the COVID19 pandemic restricting Hawaii’s travel & tourism Im venturing a guess the answer is either No, not visited or perhaps one pre pandemic, quick visit? Im not convinced I see your cinematography anywhere thats identifiable as Wendover or affiliated channels. I find it interesting theres no mention of Saint Damien? Im not catholic (except maybe w/small “c”), but this could be the one & only documentary which eleminated Saint Damiens mentioning. Thanks (Mahalo) for correctly pronouncing most Hawaiian words (except the islands name), much better than most non Hawaii residents, and better than most malihini (new arrivals/foriegn to).No doubt, Hawaiian’s easiest language for English speakers to learn on earth! Kalohe! Moloka’i wont put up with re zoning for resort on Moloka’i. Hawaii’s history with pandemics is storied, tragic, prolific, so it makes sense if COVID19 piqued interest in pandemic subjects which eventually lead to this.

[@thisin.]

21:9!!!!!!

[@thejayvodlexperience7856]

@7:50 says everything going on today

[@anteriax5175]

Another name for this video: The town that despite severe outlash and isolation, celebrated life to it's fullest.

[@gaius_enceladus]

Good call to either ban or at least severely restrict tourism in unspoilt places. As soon as you have swarms of tourists, the place becomes exactly like the place that they've just come from!

[@paul329]

I've hiked down there a few times. Its a beautiful area.

[@MTDelaware]

Very educational on history, but no mention of the Roman Catholic hero priest, Father Damien De Veuster --now Saint Damien due to his dedication for the sick and building much of the infrastructure not only on Kalaupapa but on the entire island of Molokai -- St. Philomena Church; St. Joseph Church; Our Lady of Sorrows Church; Saint Sophia church.

[@mr.gamewatch6165]

Will Kalaupapa become a deserted town turned [protected] national park once the last resident passes on?

[@livingbeings]

The town is memorably featured in James Michener's book 'Hawaii'

[@beckerderbacker4976]

My cousin went here in order to visit every county in the US.

[@pyeitme508]

Wow

[@ornei2615]

I've heard of this town. I noticed it because it has its own county, which is the least populous in these United States.

[@jonathanstensberg]

St Damien of Molokai, pray for us

[@AngloFrancoDane]

The portrait at 6,45 is Kamehameha the First, not the fifth.

[@wmtrader]

6:45

[@301IKI]

Why is this video in a wide ratio?

[@JamesRzonca]

Wondering how you got that drone footage since it’s illegal to fly a drone in Kalaupapa

[@gabrielgomescunha]

No one is talking about the king with that amazing name?

[@Fluskar]

banger vid

[@t0n0k0]

Sounds more like a conservancy than a National Park, but I digress.

[@animalia5554]

Is Machias Seal Island worth a video?

[@joelm4887]

Amazing compassion shown by the Hawaiians who were already living there beforehand. One day a bunch of people with a mortal transmissible disease are dumped off a boat involuntarily into their neighborhood. Most people nowadays would demand that they "send them back to where they came from," or try to sue whoever dropped them off or something. Instead, the Hawaiians just took them in and cared for them.

[@Denden-kj3rn]

i cant get notifications from your channel wtf

[@JoaoSantos-xy8gi]

Saint Damian of Molokai went to this village in order to preach to and take care of the sick. He ended up dying from leprosy together with his faithful.

[@MissTEO1]

I love St Damien. Reading about him is truly inspiring and humbling. There are great books written by both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Truly an amazing human being even if you don’t care about Catholic saints. And lots to learn about Kalauapapa in the books too, for anyone interested.