1956 Map of Puu Ulaula

About this map

Mauna Loa dominates this mid-century survey, its slopes defined by a chronological series of volcanic events including the Lava Flow of 1852, the Lava Flow of 1881, and more recent activity from the 1930s and 1940s. The landscape is a study in early scientific and recreational infrastructure within the Hawaii National Park and the Mauna Loa Forest and Game Reserve. Human presence is marked by high-altitude utility, specifically at the TV Relay Station and Weather Station, while travelers could find shelter at the Rest House near the peak of Puu Ulaula. The map meticulously tracks the intersection of the North Hilo and Kau District boundary as it crosses over cinder cones like Puu Kuluu. A network of simple trails and a jeep trail provide the only passage through this volatile terrain during the 1950s.