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1981 Map of Hilo

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Hilo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Hilo serves as the focal point of this 1980s coastal survey, revealing the urban expansion of Hawaii's second-largest city across its intricate waterfront and volcanic landscape. The map meticulously documents the transition from the industrial harbor at Hilo Bay to the institutional and academic corridors of the University of Hawaii. A significant geological marker, the Lava Flow of 1881, cuts a distinct path toward the city, illustrating the constant relationship between the island's volcanic activity and its urban development.

Tracing the coastline eastward, the map highlights the development of Keaukaha and the strategic positioning of General Lyman Field. Local heritage is preserved in the naming of labor camps such as Wainaku Camp and 8 1/2 Mile Camp, alongside the Pana Sugar Company Mill, which ground the region's agricultural history. From the cultural landscape of Liliuokalani Gardens to the dense canopy of the Panaewa Forest Reserve, this record provides a clear look at the infrastructure of the South Hilo and Puna districts during a period of modern growth.