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1981 Map of Upper Piihonua

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Upper Piihonua
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

Volcanic activity on the Island of Hawaii defines this high-elevation landscape, where successive historical eruptions have carved distinct paths through the native forests. Several major flows are recorded here, including the prominent Lava Flow of 1855 and the later Lava Flow of 1881, which intersect the dense woodlands of the Hilo Forest Reserve. These flows create a stark chronological record of the island's geothermal history, overriding the older terrain of the Upper Waikea Forest Reserve.

Hydrological features like the Wailuku River and Waikoloa Ponds persist amidst the volcanic debris, while the drainage of the Waipahoehoe Gulch illustrates how water interacts with basaltic substrates. The transit network is limited to high-altitude routes such as the Saddle Road and a primitive Horse Trail, reflecting the challenging environment between the island's volcanic peaks. Boundary lines for Kaumana and various forest reserves show the division of this remote territory for conservation and resource management during the late twentieth century.