Planning

Kalaupapa National Historical Park differs in its management from many other National Park Service sites. The staff of the park works in partnership with staff from a variety of organizations to make decisions and implement tasks that fulfill the mission. Collectively, we are committed to engaging community members on future management actions.

This page includes information about the general management plan, current projects, and ways you can get involved. If you are new to the planning process with the National Park Service, please explore the section by clicking - How Planning Works.

General Management Plan

The Kalaupapa NHP General Management Plan provides broad guidance for the management of the park. It will navigate the NPS and its many partners in the protection of the Hansen’s disease community at Kalaupapa and its legacy. With mālama i ka 'āina (care for the land and waters) at its core, the plan provides direction for the preservation of Kalaupapa’s cherished resources and future visitation over the next 15 years and beyond.

The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) approving the Kalaupapa National Historical Park General Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (GMP/EA) was signed on August 10, 2021.

Kalaupapa Transition Interagency Work Group Meetings

Many state and federal agencies work in partnership to manage Kalaupapa. In preparation for a time when there are no longer patients, the agencies meet quarterly to determine what management actions need to be taken and what agency(s) is responsible to complete that action. These meetings are not open to the public. Meeting notes for the Kalaupapa Transition Interagency Working Group are provided here.

• January 2022 Meeting Notes
• May 2022 Meeting Notes
• August 2022 Meeting Notes
• November 2022 Meeting Notes
• January 2023 Meeting Notes

Current Park Projects

Rehabilitate Failing Electrical System for Settlement

This electrical system project will repair and upgrade the Settlement's overhead electrical distribution system and will include connecting the existing water pump house and back-up generator locations into the electrical system.

• November 2021 update
• December 2020 update

Rehabilitate Perimeter Fences to Protect Unique Ecosystems

The protection of native ecosystems and natural and cultural resources is culturally connected to the Native Hawaiian people. The long-term integrity of biocultural resources connected to Native Hawaiians is ensured by having effective perimeter fencing for ungulate and predator exclusion, which directly influences the experience of each visitor. Over 50 federally listed threatened and endangered species and their critical habitat are protected from invasive animals within the fenced areas at the park. Barrier fences remove key stressors on Hawai’i’s unique species and ecosystems. The NPS is proposing to rehabilitate (replace and upgrade) up to 9 miles of fence at the park.

• Rehabilitate Perimeter Fence Fall 2022 Newsletter

Construct New Fuel Storage and Dispensing System

This project will construct a new fuel facility and dispensing system to serve the entire Kalaupapa settlement fuel needs. The work will include the installation of five (5) 5,000-gallon modular, above ground, double-walled fuel storage tanks, a fuel dispensing and monitoring system, site clearing & grubbing, a concrete pad to support the fuel tanks and appurtenances, road improvements to safely fuel vehicles and deliver fuel to tanks, and an extension of telecommunications and electrical service to the site to control the dispensing system. The project includes about 1,400 feet of trenching along Damien Road to bring power and telecom to the site.

• Fuel Facility September 2023 Newsletter
• Comment period open for Environmental Assessment, closes May 19, 2024, ParkPlanning - Construct Fuel Storage and Dispensing Facility Environmental Assessment (nps.gov)