Kalaupapa patients and staff relocated due to water supply issues

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is temporarily relocating patients and staff from the Kalaupapa settlement on Molokaʻi due to an unreliable drinking water supply. The relocation is a precautionary measure following ongoing operational issues with a key pump that has persisted since September 3.

As drinking water storage tanks have depleted, patients from the Hansen’s Disease Program are being moved to the Department’s care home on Oʻahu. Staff members are being relocated to hotels or staying with family and friends. National Park Service personnel are also leaving the settlement, with the exception of those working directly on the water system repairs.

Repairs to the water system are estimated to take approximately two weeks. Officials stated that patients and staff will return to Kalaupapa once an adequate and reliable water supply has been restored.