Kalaupapa General Management Plan

KNHP News Release

The Kalaupapa National Historical Park (KNHP) Draft General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement is now available for public review.

“This draft plan is the culmination of years of planning and engagement with the public,” said KNHP Superintendent Erika Stein Espaniola. “We are thrilled to present the draft plan on the eve of the National Park Service’s Centennial in 2016. We are now asking for feedback on the draft plan we can make the best long-term decisions for Kalaupapa in partnership with the State of Hawaii agencies, many stakeholders and the public.”

The purpose of the KNHP Draft General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement is to articulate a vision and overall management philosophy for Kalaupapa that will guide decision-making by current and future management teams during the next 15 to 20 years. This document presents management strategies for resource protection and preservation, education and interpretation, visitor use and facilities, land protection and boundaries and long-term operations and management of KNHP.

The National Park Service invites the public to attend public meetings on Molokai, Maui, Oahu and online in May to discuss the draft plan and offer suggestions to help define the park’s future. Anyone interested in attending is welcome.

A meeting in Kalaupapa will be held on May 4 at McVeigh Social Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. The following day, Tuesday, May 5, two meetings will be held in Kaunakakai at Kalanianaole Hall – one meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. and another from 6 to 8 p.m.

Two virtual, online meetings will also be open to Molokai residents: Wednesday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Thursday, May 14 at the same time. To access these virtual meetings and information on the web, visit parkplanning.nps.gov/kalagmp.

The National Mark Service  welcomes written comments as well, and may be submitted online at the above link, by email, KALA_GMP@nps.gov, or by mail: National Park Service, Attn: Kalaupapa NHP GMP/EIS, 909 First Avenue, Suite 500, Seattle, WA, 98104.

An Executive Summary, supporing documents, and the complete KNHP Draft Mangement Plan and Environmental Impact Statement are available for review online at parkplanning.nps.gov/kalagmp. The comment period extends through June 8, 2015.