Promontory on the northern shore of Molokai island, Hawaii, U.S. Occupying a 10-sq-mi (26-sq-km) plateau, it is isolated from the rest of the island by 2,000-ft (600-m) cliffs.
Kalawao village, now abandoned, was the site of the original leper colony (see leprosy ) established by King Kamehameha V in 1866; Father Damien ministered to the lepers there 187389. The entire peninsula is now the state leprosarium, administered by Hawaii's health department.