1983 Map of Kekaha

About this map

The coastal plains of southwest Kauai meet the dramatic western ridges of Waimea Canyon in this early 1980s coastal survey. The landscape is defined by the massive infrastructure of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, which stretches along the shoreline from Kokole Point north toward Mana. Inland, the economy of the era is evident in the complex system of shafts and reservoirs like the Mana Shaft, Waiawa Shaft, and Puu Opae Res, supporting the transition from the arid flats to the heavily eroded ridge system. In the southeast, the town of Waimea serves as a hub, anchored by the Waimea River and the significant cultural site at Russian Fort Elizabeth State Hist Park. The proximity of Kekaha to these mountain features, including Puehu Ridge and Puu Opae, illustrates the sharp contrast between Hawaii's specialized military-industrial zones and its deep volcanic interior.