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1961 Map of Hawaii South

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Hawaii South
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

Hawaii National Park and the volcanic landscape of southern Hawaii County define this mid-century survey, which reveals the complex human and geological history of the island. The map documents an era when agricultural operations and ranching communities were deeply integrated into the varied terrain, from the Koa Mill in the west to the Gaspari Dairy near the northern border. Significant volcanic features including Kilauea Crater, Puu Honuaula, and the massive Great Crack are mapped alongside the remote labor camps of the sugar and ranching industries, such as Wood Valley Camp, Honomalino Camp, and Lower Moaula Camp.

Coastal settlements like Milolii and Napoopoo appear at the water's edge, while inland towns like Naalehu and Pahala serve as central hubs for the southern district. Transportation history is captured through the Hawaii Consolidated Railway and historic pathways like the Ainapo Trail and Mauna Loa Trail. These routes connected isolated points like the Manuka Mauka House and Kahuku Roadhouse to the larger settlements, providing a window into the infrastructure of the islands before modern development reshaped much of the coast.