The History of the Kalapapa Leprosy Colony

The population at Kalapapa peaked at 1174 in 1890. Even though it no longer functions as a leprosy colony, former residents are still living there and the area is now a national historical part. Perhaps the most famous resident of the colony at Malachi is Father Damien, who was a Belgian Roman Catholic priest. He was one of the first people to treat leprosy victims with dignity and compassion on the island.