1991 Map of Kahoolawe West

About this map

The western coastline of Kaho‘olawe, situated across the Kealaikahiki Channel in the Makawao District, is defined by dramatic volcanic features and deep gulches. This 1991 photo-inspection reveals a landscape shaped by coastal indentations like Honoko‘a Bay and Ahupū Bay, while the interior is marked by significant volcanic craters including Lua ‘O Keaualuna and Lua ‘O Keālialalo. Modern infrastructure is sparse, restricted primarily to the US Coast Guard Reservation near Southwest Point Light and a specialized Heliport and Communication Tower near Pu‘ukahua. Deep drainages such as Ahupū Gulch and Waikahalulu Gulch dominate the topography, reflecting the erosional patterns of this island. The presence of traditional Hawaiian place names like Keanakeiki and Honukanai‘a underscores the long-standing cultural geography of the island before and during its late 20th-century status.