Has anyone flown from Oahu to Molokai for a tour of the Leper Colony there? Was thinking of doing that on my next trip over.....Worth the price?

First, please don't call it a Leper Colony. It is the home of people with Hansen's Disease (fka Leprosy), and is now Kalaupapa National Park.

The mule trip down is a bit scary but interesting.

The hike is brutal unless you're in really good shape.

The direct flights from Oahu or Maui to Kalaupapa are in little
(10 seats?) planes. Not for those with a fear of flying!

It is certainly an interesting place. If you plan to spend that kind of money to go, I'd recommend you read "Molokai" before you go. It's a fictional account of the peninsula, but quite informative.

James Michener's book Hawaii has a section devoted to this subject, also. It, too, is fiction, but it's my favorite of his books.

I did this as a day trip from Oahu maybe 15 years ago, and it remains one of the most amazing things I've done while traveling. The mule train is not difficult riding (and I am not a rider). About halfway down you start to hear the waves crashing and then see the water, and it's hard to imagine anything more beautiful as you look up the green cliffs and then back down to the ocean. But then you arrive at the site of the church, which is stunningly beautiful -- possibly throat beautiful place I've ever been. The whole experience was spiritual and educational. The plane was fine - much better than United's puddle jumpers between RDU and IAD, but that's a different story.

I would recommend this trip without reservation. It's one I will always remember.

Yes, do read Moloka'i by Alan Brennert--an amazing book about The Colony. I visited Kalaupapa last January with a Road Scholar tour. Entry by the general public, including our group, requires a reservation with the locally owned and operated Damien Tours (808-567-6171). There is a maximum number of visitors of 100 per day and that includes park staff and others. We flew from the small airport on topside Molokai in 6-8 passenger planes to the airport at Kalaupapa, about a 12 minute ride. I did hear that one could hike down and join a group in the village--still need a permit. Don't know if there are still mules to ride.

All this said, it was one of the most fascinating sites that I have visited anywhere just for the history of the place and what was tried to contain the disease before Sulfa drugs in the 40's.

Margo

I was fortunate enough to spend a weekend in Kalaupapa back in the 60's. My roommate and I met Gloria and Richard Marks who were residents and they invited us over for a weekend. We flew over on a small plane delivering newspapers and eggs and we were given personal tours by Gloria. It was a pretty amazing experience with so much history. At that time there were still a few active cases but not sure if there are any now.
Doubt that people can stay over anymore but certainly worth a day trip.

Ive gone there, but not as a day trip from Oahu but when we was staying on the island. Its great, but I doubt I would spend the extra money to fly in as a day trip

I read Molokai which gave me the idea of perhaps taking this tour. Sorry ICUY did not realize that it was offensive. i will be more sensitive in the future. Appreciate the correction. I read some reviews on trip advisor that said there was way too much down time, too much wait time for other groups to arrive and return flights, etc. Do not think I will pay the high price for it. Will think of something else different to do for 70th....

Just looked down on the point/colony from above - and hey - it would be one hell of hike. Friends of mine have taken the mule ride - if that is still going on - and it's not for the faint of heart.

Love Molokai - although it's been years but think it's where "Old Hawaii" still lives. I don't think you could go wrong spending a couple of days there as we did to start our Honeymoon.

I went to Molokai in 2013 from Maui. I rented a car and drove around the island for about 6 hours and went back to Maui. Molokai is gorgeous, but there is no way I could spend more then one day there. There is only one stop light on the whole island and only two gas stations in the "main" town. Kaluapapa is gorgeous and I didn't do the mule ride down, I am obese so I would probably break the mule's back lol. Folic rock is also close to the lookout and it is a sacred rock to the locals. It looks like a male's do hinkey. Not much to do on Molokai, but the scenery is gorgeous.