1954 Map of Kaena

About this map

Kaena Point marks the far western edge of Oahu in this mid-century survey, a landscape defined by the steep transition from the sea to the high ridgelines of the Kuleiua Range. The coastal flats are largely occupied by Dillingham Air Force Base and a series of agricultural holdings including Crowbar Ranch and Dillingham Ranch. Traces of earlier infrastructure are evident in the Old Railroad Grade that skirts the northern coastline, while the Makua (Site) suggests a shift in human settlement within the Makua Valley. The presence of a Heiau near Keaau Homesteads reflects the deep cultural history of the island, alongside natural landmarks like Kaena Cave. From the Barking Sands to the heights of Peacock Flat, this map documents a period where military utility and ranching economy coexisted on the island's rocky periphery.