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1963 Map of Piihonua

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Piihonua
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Wailuku River carves through a landscape defined by volcanic history and early 20th-century settlement patterns in this survey of the South Hilo District. The map provides a detailed record of the terrestrial scars left by the Lava Flow of 1855, the Lava Flow of 1881, and the Lava Flow of 1852, showing how these events shaped the development of Punahoa Homesteads and Kaumana Homesteads.

Along the river, numerous cataracts including Pakalwahine Falls, Pepee Falls, and the famous Boiling Pots are documented alongside the infrastructure of the era. The presence of the Olaa Flume, an Aqueduct, and several tunnels points to the complex water management systems required for the region. Cultural landmarks such as the Kaumana School, Japanese Cemetery, and the Hilo Country Club reflect the established community life adjacent to the Hilo Forest Reserve.