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1981 Map of Piihonua

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Piihonua
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

The Wailuku River carves a dramatic path through this 1981 survey, featuring iconic landmarks like the Boiling Pots and numerous cataracts such as Pepee Falls and Pakaluahine Falls. The landscape is fundamentally defined by volcanic history, with the massive Lava Flow of 1855 and Lava Flow of 1881 clearly delineated as they descend toward the coast. These geological formations dictate the placement of human settlements and the extensive system of Punahoa Homesteads and Kaumana Homesteads that hug the lower slopes.

Industrial and agricultural legacies are evident in features like the Olaa Flume Spring and various gaging stations. Genealogical interest is concentrated in the communities of Piihonua and Kaumana, where the Kaumana Sch and Kaumana Cem are situated. The western portion of the map is dominated by the Hilo Closed Watershed Forest Reserve, indicating the critical importance of water management for the surrounding region.