1952 Map of Halawa

About this map

Ancient Hawaiian engineering and tradition are evident along the southeastern Molokai coast, where a succession of traditional fishponds like Pukoo Fishpond and Kulaalamihi Fishpond line the shore. These stone-walled enclosures, alongside landmarks like the Iliiliopae Heiau, signify a landscape deeply rooted in indigenous aquaculture and spiritual practice. The interior is defined by dramatic verticality, where the Molokai Forest Reserve gives way to sheer drops including the spectacular Kahiwa Falls and Moaula Falls within the Halawa valley system. Settlement is concentrated in small coastal pockets such as Pukoo and the Puu o Hoku Ranch, connected by the early alignment of HWY 45. The map also preserves numerous local land divisions, or ahupuaʻa, such as Honouli Maloo and Mapulehu, which delineate the management of resources from the mountain peaks to the edge of the Pacific Ocean.