Any updates on Kalaupapa?

Any word on whether tours of Kalaupapa will reopen? Of all the activities I've ever done in Hawaii, the tour of Kalaupapa was one of the most memorable for me.

Good question — there are indeed very recent updates: tours to Kalaupapa on Molokaʻi have just resumed. Here's the latest, and what to know if you're thinking about visiting:

• Tours Have Reopened (as of September 2025): Public guided tours at Kalaupapa National Historical Park restarted on September 24, 2025, after a multi-year pause.
• Authorized Tour Operator: The only park-approved tour operator is now the Kalaupapa Saints Tour, founded by resident Meli Watanuki. Tours are run by Seawind Tours & Travel.
• Strict Guidelines: Access is still limited and regulated: you need a visitor permit from the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, and all entries must be via a scheduled commercial tour.
• Access Method: Currently, the only way in is by airplane — there’s no public access via mule or hiking trail.
• Visitor Experience: The tour includes visits to historic sites like patient cottages, the cemetery, and St. Philomena Church, with guides sharing personal stories of life there, including the legacies of Saints Damien and Marianne.