1963 Map of Kapaa

About this map

Ancient Hawaiian cultural sites and modern development meet along the eastern coast of Kauai in this early 1960s record. Significant archaeological landmarks are noted near the mouth of the Wailua River, including the City of Refuge-Hikina o ka la Heiau, Malae Heiau, and Poliahu Heiau. These sacred locations neighbor growing residential clusters like Wailua House Lots and the town of Kapaa. The landscape rises from the Pacific Ocean toward the Makaleha Mountains, punctuated by the distinctive silhouette of the Sleeping Giant on Nonou mountain. Inland, the map documents the expansive Kapaa Homesteads and Wailua Homesteads, revealing a complex system of water management with the Kapahi Ditch and numerous reservoirs like Kapaia Reservoir supporting the upland agriculture. From the tourism-focused Fern Grotto to the industrial Ahukini Landing, the survey captures the island's mid-century shift between traditional land use and a modernizing economy.