1956 Map of Mauna Kea

About this map

Mauna Kea dominates this mid-century topographic study, which captures the volcanic landscape of the island of Hawaii in detail. The map centers on the high-altitude summit, including Lake Waiau and the Keanakakoi (Ancient Quarry), revealing the geological and cultural significance of the mountain. Human presence in this high-elevation environment is represented by the Hale Pohaku Ranger Station and the Kahinahina Forest Cabin, marking the outposts for forest and land management within the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve. Numerous cinder cones, or pu'u, such as Puu Makanaka and Puu Poliahu, punctuate the terrain, while the headwaters of the Wailuku River and deep drainage features like Waikahalulu Gulch illustrate the hydrologic patterns of the windward and leeward slopes.