1956 Map of Kawaihae

About this map

Puukohola Heiau stands as a prominent cultural landmark on the shores of Kawaihae Bay, marking a coastal landscape defined by ancient sites and mid-century maritime infrastructure. This 1956 field survey captures the transition of the Kohala coastline, showing the established Kawaihae settlement alongside its Kawaihae Pier and Coast Guard Reservation. The map documents numerous land divisions such as Kahua, Waika, and Lalamilo, which stretch from the volcanic cinder cones of the interior down to the coral reefs of the Pacific. Inland, the topography is carved by a series of steep drainages including Honokoa Gulch and Luahine Gulch, while former habitation areas like Hoepa (Site) and Kawaihae Uka (Site) indicate shifting settlement patterns. From the Kohala Forest Reserve heights down to the sands of Waikui Beach, the map provides a precise record of the district boundary between the North Kohala District and South Kohala District.