2024 Map of Niihau North OE W

About this map

Pu‘uwai sits on the western edge of the island, representing the primary human settlement in a landscape dominated by dramatic coastal features and inland drainage basins. The map details the transition from the sandy reaches of Pu‘uwai Beach and Ki‘eki‘e Beach to the intricate network of valleys that carve into the interior, such as Kahunāli‘i Valley and Keanauhi Valley. Near the center of the northern coastline, the presence of Lo‘e Lake and the nearby settlement at Kālehu suggests a concentration of seasonal activity or ecological significance in an otherwise arid coastal environment. The northwestern shoreline is defined by hazardous maritime features like Kuakāmoku Reef and Kuakāmoku Rock, which contrast with the sheltered waters of Keawanui Bay further east. This modern survey illustrates the enduring geographic isolation and traditional place names that characterize the northern reaches of the island.