At Kaulana Mahina, our Hawaiian ʻāina maps are created to support learning, accuracy, and connection to place. These maps are more than wall art, they are educational tools rooted in ʻike kūpuna, historical research, and community knowledge.
This post shares why we make Hawaiian maps, how they are researched, and the stories behind our Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu, Hilo, Kauaʻi, and Maui maps.
Why I Started Making Hawaiian Maps
I started researching maps when I was teaching and wanted to show my students where they come from.
While planning a lesson on ahupuaʻa, I used an online map resource that I later discovered was full of errors. Ahupuaʻa were missing, boundary lines were incorrect, and place names were misspelled. Realizing I had taught from an inaccurate Hawaiian map was frustrating.
That moment made something clear to me: accurate Hawaiian maps are not easy to access, especially for classrooms and families. When I finally found a reliable historical map, I knew I wanted to make it accessible and usable for others. That decision became the foundation of Kaulana Mahina’s map collection.
Hawaiʻi Island Ahupuaʻa Map (1928): The Map That Started It All
The first map I worked on was the Hawaiʻi Island ahupuaʻa map, originally created in 1928 by the Hawaiʻi Territory Survey. This government division was tasked with mapping all the Hawaiian Islands (yes, this was also tied to land acquisition and control).
Despite its colonial context, this map remains one of the most accurate Hawaiian maps for ahupuaʻa names and boundary lines.
Four cartographers traveled to Hawaiʻi Island by boat to complete the survey. Two traveled north through Kohala and Kona, continuing down to Kaʻū, while the other two traveled through Hilo and Puna, eventually meeting in Kaʻū. Along the way, they interviewed people who lived on the ʻāina to confirm place names and boundaries, paying them in dogs and chickens in exchange for their ʻike.
Because boundary lines change over time, modern maps may differ. However, this original source remains a foundational reference.
My work on this map focused on reformatting, not altering information. I redesigned it to fit a standard-size frame and transitioned to vinyl printing, making it durable for classrooms, rollable, water-resistant, and easy to use.
Oʻahu Moku and Ahupuaʻa Map (1902): Why Accuracy Matters
Not all maps are created equal.
When creating Hawaiian maps, I begin with historical sources, cross-check place names, study boundary lines, compare references, and talk with people from the area. This process shaped the Oʻahu moku map, originally created in 1902.
The original Oʻahu map was black and white. I added color to clearly differentiate the moku (districts) and intentionally placed moku names in the ocean areas to make them stand out visually for teaching.
Another major step was restoration. Because the original paper map had been scanned, mildew marks, crease lines, and water damage appeared in the digital version. Cleaning the map took many hours of careful editing so the information, not the damage, was what stood out.
The result is a clear, accurate Oʻahu map that honors the original source while functioning as a modern learning tool.
The Hilo Ahupuaʻa Map: Mapping Home
The Hilo map was especially meaningful because Hilo is my home.
I collaborated closely with Lokelani Brandt, whose master’s research focused on Piʻopiʻo, a place included on the map. Much of the boundary knowledge on this map comes directly from her work. She even guided me to the original source map.
In one area where the boundary wasn’t immediately clear, I watched her dive into land exchange agreements and ownership records, tracing ʻāina back to specific ahupuaʻa based on who held the land. Seeing this research process firsthand deepened my understanding of how Hawaiian boundaries are confirmed.
One surprising discovery: between Wailuku River and Wailoa River, there are eight ahupuaʻa, something I never realized despite living in Hilo my entire life.
That is the power of accurate Hawaiian maps.
New Colored Hawaiian Maps: Kauaʻi and Maui
We recently expanded our collection with new color versions of the Kauaʻi and Maui maps, both developed through deep collaboration and research.
Kauaʻi Map
The Kauaʻi map was created with guidance from Kawaikini School, whose curriculum, Manōkalanipō, focuses on teaching one moku per grade level. By graduation, students have deep knowledge of the entire island.
Because this work is central to their curriculum, their guidance on boundary lines was essential. Adding color allows learners to clearly see how ahupuaʻa connect within each moku.
Maui Map (1885)
The Maui map, originally created in 1885, was the most challenging.
By the time Maui was mapped, many land changes had already occurred. This is why some ahupuaʻa appear square rather than following natural ridgelines and valleys.
This map took years to complete. One boundary, between Kīpahulu and Hāna, remains uncertain even after extensive research. I made the most informed decision possible using available ʻike and remain open to revisions as new information emerges.
The result is a color Maui map that clearly shows moku and ahupuaʻa relationships while acknowledging the complexities of historical change.
Why Hawaiian Maps Matter Today
Our Hawaiian ʻāina maps are:
- Place-based educational tools
- Visual connections to ʻike kūpuna
- Resources for classrooms, homes, and communities
- Invitations to learn land, language, and history together
Each map is created with care, humility, and collaboration, recognizing that ʻike is living and that this work continues to evolve.
Mahalo for supporting culturally grounded, place-based learning.
Haunani