Kaulaupapa Lookout

Kaulaupapa Lookout is a scenic viewpoint situated atop steep cliffs on Molokai island, with views extending across to the Kalaupapa Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean. The vantage point provides an unobstructed perspective of the landscape below, where the terrain drops sharply to the water.

The peninsula visible from this point was established as an isolation settlement in 1866 for people with Hansen's disease. The site housed thousands of patients over many decades until medical advances made the condition treatable and isolation unnecessary.

The peninsula below holds deep meaning for Native Hawaiians as a place of ancestral presence and sacred ground that has been honored for centuries. Visitors can sense this spiritual dimension when looking across the water toward the landscape below.

The viewpoint offers the clearest views during morning hours before afternoon clouds typically move in across the landscape. The site remains open and exposed, so bringing sun protection and sturdy footwear is advisable for a comfortable visit.

The view takes in three distinct districts of the peninsula below, each representing different chapters of the settlement's past. These divisions remain visible in how the landscape is organized from this vantage point.

Location: Kalawao County

Address: Pala'au State Park, Highway 47, Ho'olehua, HI 96729, USA

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 07:00-19:00

Phone: +18085870286

Website: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov

GPS coordinates: 21.17695,-157.00513

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:21