Kalaupapa Future Discussed at Public Open House

National Park Service News Release

Kalaupapa National Historical Park is in the process of developing a General Management Plan (GMP). The GMP will describe the general path that the National Park Service and its partners intend to follow in managing Kalaupapa over the next 15-20 years.

The open houses will provide a forum for discussing four different future visions for managing resources and opportunities for visitors at Kalaupapa. These preliminary alternatives represent many statements and ideas that were provided by the public during earlier phases of the planning process.

Molokai will host two meetings: June 6 at McVeigh Social Hall in Kalaupapa, 9-11 a.m. and 5-7 p.m.; and June 7 at the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai, 10 a.m.-12 noon and 6-8 p.m.

The preliminary alternatives address specific issues for Kalaupapa and consider Hawaiian land management concepts while also following federal and state laws and policies. The alternatives encompass a wide range of actions, including the preservation of historic features, development of visitor and interpretive facilities both on-site and off-site, and education and outreach programs. Once fully developed, one of these alternatives may be selected as the preferred alternative or a new alternative could emerge.

“We are at a crucial stage in the long-range planning for Kalaupapa National Historical Park,” said Stephen Prokop, superintendent of Kalaupapa National Historical Park.  “These next steps will guide Kalaupapa into the future; therefore it is very important for the general public to continue to participate in this planning effort to ensure that all ideas and points of view are considered.”

At this time, the National Park Service invites the public to engage in this discussion. Seven public open house meetings are scheduled on the islands of Molokai, Oahu and Maui to present and discuss the preliminary management alternatives for Kalaupapa National Historical Park.