Hawaii Rocks! The Geology of Kalaupapa

Cliffs of Kalaupapa National Historical Park

On the Island of Moloka’i in the Hawaiian Islands is the remote Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Probably best known as the infamous leper colony that Father (now Saint) Damien devoted his life to in the late 19th Century, this rugged penninsula is also home to spectacular geologic formations.

The Hawaiian place name for this isolated peninsula can be translated as  ”a flat leaf”. The peninsula is a comparatively flat leaf of lava about 2¼ miles wide, projecting out from what is referred to by Kalaupapa residents as “topside” by a 2,000 foot pali (cliff). The peninsula was formed by a small volcano whose source is Kauhako Crater and whose rim elevation is approximately 400 feet. It represents an excellent example of an Icelandic shield volcano (a much smaller shield volcano than most).

Located on the central northern coast of the island of Molokai, Kalaupapa National Historical Park includes a portion of the spectacular north shore cliffs, a National Natural Landmark. The cliffs are of landmark status for their geological significance and expose the numerous layers of lava that make up most of the eastern end of the island. To the east of the park they can be seen rising from the ocean over 3,000 feet, believed by many to be the tallest cliffs in the world. If you would like more information of the unique geology of Kalaupapa, be sure to visit the National Park Service’s “Geology Fieldnotes” website.