1981 Map of Puu Hou

About this map

The coastal shelf of the Kahuku and Pakininui regions dominates this 1981 record of the southern Hawaii Island shoreline. The landscape is defined by the massive scars of historical volcanic activity, notably the Lava Flow of 1887 which stretches toward the sea near Kakio, and the Lava Flow of 1868 further east near the prominent Puu Hou cinder cone. This era of mapping shows a sparsely inhabited coastline where evidence of earlier occupation persists at Kahio (Site) and Kailikii (Site) near Hawea. The terrain transition from the Pacific Ocean to the upland volcanic slopes is marked by small settlements and topographic landmarks like Kepuhi o Kahio Point and Puu Waimanalo. Vital freshwater sources for the arid coastal strip are documented at Water Holes and Haliipalala, illustrating the fundamental challenges of life on the leeward lava fields.