Published in 1968 from 1956 survey work, the US Geological Survey’s “Honolua” presents the northwestern coast of Maui with the precision and quiet authority characteristic of mid-century American topographic mapping. At the 1:24,000 scale, the sheet captures a landscape poised between agricultural past, rugged volcanic geography, and the beginnings of modern resort transformation. Kapalua and its surrounding bays appear not as the polished destination familiar today, but as part of a dramatic coastal terrain shaped by lava, rain, wind, and ocean. The map’s clean USGS design—contours, roads, streams, and shorelines rendered with disciplined clarity—invites close reading, revealing the steep rise from Pacific beaches to forested uplands and deeply carved valleys.

The cartography of the US Geological Survey gives this map both scientific rigor and historical elegance. Founded to classify public lands and document the nation’s geology and resources, the USGS became synonymous with accurate topographic representation, and “Honolua” reflects that tradition beautifully. Its contour lines trace the muscular folds of West Maui, translating volcanic slopes and eroded ravines into a legible visual language. Hydrological features—streams descending from the high country toward bays and inlets—are carefully articulated, emphasizing the island’s relationship between rainfall, elevation, and coastal settlement. The result is more than a navigational document: it is a measured portrait of terrain, capturing the structure beneath the scenery.

Honolua Bay is among the map’s most evocative features, set into the coast where land and ocean meet in a sheltered curve. Today celebrated for marine life, surfing, and snorkeling, the bay appears here within a broader pattern of valleys, points, ridges, and coastal access routes. Nearby Makaluapuna Point and Napili Bay help define a shoreline of remarkable variety, alternating between protected coves and exposed volcanic headlands. The Pacific Ocean, occupying the map’s western edge, is not merely blank space but the defining force of the region—shaping settlement, travel, fishing, recreation, and weather. Against this oceanic backdrop, the mapped roads and trails feel especially delicate, threaded through a powerful island landscape.

Inland, the topographic drama intensifies toward Maunalei Valley and the heights associated with Pu‘u Kukui, one of the dominant summits of the West Maui Mountains. The dense contouring reveals abrupt elevation changes, sharp drainage lines, and the intricate anatomy of a weathered volcanic massif. Trails leading through the mountainous terrain suggest older patterns of movement across difficult country, while streams mark the natural corridors that connect uplands to the sea. This portion of the map conveys the ecological richness of West Maui, where rainfall, cloud cover, and steep relief create a striking contrast with the beaches below. It is a landscape of verticality, where coast and summit occupy the same compact geographic stage.

Historically, “Honolua” is especially compelling because it records Kapalua and its neighboring communities before the area became internationally known for luxury resorts, golf courses, and planned coastal development. The map preserves an earlier spatial order: roads are fewer, settlement is lighter, and the natural contours dominate the composition. Ka‘anapali, Napili, Honolua, and Kapalua are shown within a region still visibly governed by topography rather than tourism. Since publication, development and natural change have altered the coastline, valleys, and access routes, making this sheet a valuable witness to mid-twentieth-century Maui. Its beauty lies in that tension—between exact scientific mapping and the historical poignancy of a Hawaiian landscape on the threshold of transformation.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Kapalua
• Honolua Bay
• Maunalei Valley
• Napili Bay
• Ka'anapali
• Makaluapuna Point
• Pu'u Kukui
• Pacific Ocean
• Highways and local roads
• Trails through the mountainous terrain
• Streams and water features

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the US Geological Survey (USGS)
• Historical 1:24,000 topographical map
• Created in 1956 and published in 1968
• Shows Kapalua, Hawaii, and the surrounding areas
• Uses the USGS standard cartographic style
• Includes color-coded elevation and detailed hydrological features
• Features detailed contour lines showing elevation changes
• Depicts the region’s mountainous terrain and coastal features
• Kapalua has since evolved into a resort destination known for beaches and golf courses
• The landscape has likely changed since publication due to development and natural processes

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.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.