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1955 Map of Olowalu

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Olowalu
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Olowalu and its coastal surroundings are depicted here in the mid-1950s, revealing an era of transition for Maui's leeward shore. The map centers on the historical sugar infrastructure of the Olowalu district, where the Mill (Ruins) and the Olowalu Wharf stand as markers of a departing industrial past. Native Hawaiian heritage is clearly documented through the presence of several sacred sites, including Kaiwaloa Heiau and an additional Heiau located further inland.

The landscape is defined by the steep descent of the West Maui Forest Reserve toward the Auau Channel. Water management is a primary feature of the survey, with the Olowalu Stream feeding various infrastructure like the Olowalu Shaft, Ukumehame Reservoirs, and multiple siphons. Small residential clusters at Mopua and Kilea sit along the Honoapiilani Highway, providing a snapshot of local life before the intensive development of later decades.