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2013 Map of Pahala

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of Pahala
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

Pāhala and the nearby Keāiwa Camp represent the primary human presence on this portion of the Island of Hawai'i, where the local economy transition from its plantation roots is visible in the grid of residential streets like Ohia St and Ilima St. The landscape is dominated by the massive Keāiwa Lava Flow of 1823, which cuts a broad path toward the Pacific Ocean, illustrating the volcanic forces that continue to shape the Ka‘ū District.

Along the coast, ancient and modern landmarks coexist, from the Ahole Heiau to the recreation-focused Kamehame Beach. The map details a complex drainage system of deep gulches, such as Pi'ikea Gulch and Pā'au'au Gulch, which channel water from the upland slopes toward the sea. Infrastructure like the Pahala Airstrip and Keāiwa Reservoir further highlight the intersection of natural volcanic terrain and agricultural development in this southern region of the Big Island.