Residents and staff of the Kalaupapa settlement on Molokai are being forced to leave after the drinking water system failed — bad news for a small, isolated community with deep historical ties to the place.

• The settlement's drinking water system broke down and repairs have not fixed it.
• Water held in storage tanks has run out, leaving no safe supply on site.
• Residents and staff have been told to pack their things and leave for at least a period of time.
• Kalaupapa is reachable only by small plane, boat, or mule trail, which makes hauling in water or parts slow and costly.

Outlook: People stay off the settlement until the water system is repaired and tested safe, with no firm return date yet.