1963 Map of Puu Makaala

About this map

Puu Makaala rises from a landscape defined by dense forest reserves and early industrial infrastructure on the Big Island. The boundary between the South Hilo District and Puna District cuts across the terrain, illustrating the administrative divisions of the mid-20th century. While the upper elevations are dominated by the Upper Waikea Forest Reserve and Waikea Forest Reserve, the lower reaches show signs of human utility through the Olaa Reservation Lots. Traceable transportation routes like the Stainback Highway and Olaa Flume Road underscore the area's history of resource management and accessibility. The presence of an Old Railroad Grade and the Olaa Forest Park Reserves reveals a transition from heavy industrial transport toward conservation and public land management. Localized work sites, such as a Cinder Pit and Gravel Pit, mark the literal extraction points used to build the region's foundations.