Old Map of Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii by USGS, 1957 – Lanikai, Kaneohe & Waimanalo

Published in 1978 from a map originally created in 1957, the USGS topographic quadrangle titled “Haiku” captures the windward side of Oahu with Kailua and its surrounding landscapes rendered in precise mid-century detail. At a scale of 1:24,000, the map presents a close, navigable view of a region where coastal settlement, volcanic terrain, marshland, and mountain valleys meet in dramatic succession. Kailua Bay, Lanikai, Waimanalo, Kaneohe, Mokapu Peninsula, and Maunawili all appear within a landscape shaped by steep ridges, lush drainage systems, and the powerful geography of the Koʻolau range. The later imprint gives the sheet an additional historical layer, connecting 1950s survey work with the evolving mapping standards and land-use priorities of the late 1970s.

The United States Geological Survey brings to this map the disciplined visual language that made its quadrangles indispensable to engineers, planners, hikers, scientists, and the military alike. Founded to provide authoritative knowledge of the nation’s terrain and natural resources, the USGS became one of the most influential cartographic institutions in American history. Its maps transformed landscapes into legible systems of contour, symbol, elevation, and infrastructure, supporting everything from road building and water management to defense planning and outdoor recreation. In “Haiku,” that institutional clarity is applied to one of Hawaii’s most varied environments, where coastal flats give way quickly to ridgelines and valleys, and where even a short distance on the map may represent a striking change in elevation and vegetation.

The cartographic design is classic USGS: restrained, functional, and richly informative. Contour lines articulate the island’s rugged topography, tracing the slopes around Olomana, Maunawili, and the inland valleys with a precision that reveals both geological form and practical movement through the land. Roads, trails, streams, parks, built areas, and shoreline features are distinguished through standardized symbols, allowing the viewer to read the map as both a scientific document and a portrait of place. Kailua’s urban grid and coastal neighborhoods contrast with the more intricate patterns of ridges, waterways, and open lands. The result is a finely balanced composition in which human settlement appears embedded within a powerful natural setting rather than dominating it.

Kailua itself anchors the map with its celebrated bay, broad beaches, and relaxed coastal character, while nearby Lanikai appears beside one of Oahu’s most iconic shorelines. To the north and west, Kaneohe and the Mokapu Peninsula suggest the strategic and residential importance of the windward coast, while Waimanalo extends the view toward agricultural lands and shoreline communities further south. Kawai Nui Marsh is especially significant, both as a dominant physical feature and as an ecological landmark, representing one of Hawaii’s great wetland environments. Streams, water bodies, and valley corridors emphasize the hydrological richness of the region, while parks, recreational areas, and hiking routes point to the enduring appeal of this landscape for exploration and retreat.

As a historical document, “Haiku” offers a compelling snapshot of windward Oahu during a period of postwar transformation. The decades between the original 1957 mapping and the 1978 imprint saw expanding residential development, changing transportation networks, increased recreational use, and growing awareness of the need to preserve natural areas. This map records a landscape in transition: Kailua and its neighboring communities are clearly established, yet the surrounding mountains, marshes, coastlines, and forested areas remain central to the region’s identity. Its details invite comparison with the present day, revealing patterns of urban growth, conservation, and access across one of Hawaii’s most beloved coastal settings. For collectors, it is both a practical topographic achievement and a quietly evocative record of place.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Kailua
• Lanikai
• Waimanalo
• Kaneohe
• Mokapu Peninsula
• Olomana
• Kailua Bay
• Maunawili
• Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge
• Kawai Nui Marsh
• Various hiking trails
• Roads, including state highways and local roads
• Parks and recreational areas
• Nearby coastlines and beaches
• Streams and water bodies

Historical context & cartographic details

• Historical USGS 1:24,000 topographical map titled Haiku, showing Kailua, Hawaii, and the surrounding area.
• Originally created in 1957 and published with a 1978 imprint.
• Produced by the US Geological Survey, a U.S. government scientific agency focused on natural resources, natural hazards, and environmental assessment.
• The USGS has played an important role in providing accurate geographic information for military and civilian navigation, land use planning, and environmental understanding.
• Features standard topographic styling, with contour lines showing elevation and terrain detail.
• Uses cartographic symbols to identify roads, parks, landmarks, and other navigational features.
• Highlights the varied Hawaiian landscape, including mountains, valleys, coastlines, steep elevation changes, and lush vegetation.
• Reflects changes in land use, urban development, and preservation of natural areas since its original mid-20th-century creation.

Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.

Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.

Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.

With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.