1963 Map of Kau Desert

About this map

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park dominates this coastal survey, where the terrestrial power of the Kau Desert meets the Pacific Ocean. The landscape is defined by its volcanic activity, notably the Lava Flow of 1920 and the jagged Kamakaia Hills. Researchers will find pockets of vegetation known as kipukas, such as Kipuka Nene and Kipuka Pepeiau, which provide ecological contrast to the surrounding lava fields and pit craters. Along the dramatic southern coastline, the land drops precipitously at Hilina Pali and Makahanu Pali. Historical landmarks like the Footprints and the Pepeiau Shelter reflect the intersection of geological history and human traversal through this volatile region. The presence of a Rain Shed and scattered waterholes like Kakliwai underscores the arid, challenging environment of the desert landscape during the mid-twentieth century.