Published in 1972 from original 1956 survey data, the USGS map titled “Lahaina” captures a pivotal stretch of western Maui at a moment before resort development fully transformed the coast. Its focus is the historic town of Lahaina and the emerging coastal community of Kaanapali, set between the Pacific shoreline and the rising folds of the West Maui Mountains. The map records Lahaina Harbor, Kaanapali Beach, Napili Bay, Olowalu, Kapalua, and Puu Kekaʻa—better known as Black Rock—with the restrained precision characteristic of mid-century American topographic mapping. Contours, roadways, vegetation, and watercourses combine to present not only a navigational document, but a richly layered portrait of Maui’s western shore in transition.

The U.S. Geological Survey brought to this map the institutional clarity and scientific discipline that made its quadrangles indispensable across the United States. Founded in the nineteenth century to classify public lands and understand the nation’s geology, the USGS became the benchmark for topographical mapping used by planners, engineers, conservationists, hikers, and historians. In “Lahaina,” that tradition is evident in the careful delineation of elevation, drainage, coast, settlement, and land cover. The map’s cartographic language is understated but eloquent: contour lines describe volcanic slopes and valley walls, green tints mark lush vegetation, and browns emphasize drier, exposed terrain. Red-lined roadways trace the human imprint against a dramatic natural setting.

Lahaina itself gives the map particular historical resonance. Once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and an important nineteenth-century whaling port, Lahaina was long a center of political authority, missionary activity, maritime commerce, and Hawaiian cultural life. By the time of the 1956 survey, the town retained its historic waterfront identity while standing on the threshold of the tourism era that would reshape west Maui. Lahaina Harbor appears as a key coastal landmark, connecting the town to inter-island travel, fishing, and leisure. Nearby names such as Maluhia, Puʻukoliʻi, and Makai preserve a local geography rooted in Hawaiian language and place memory, giving the map a sense of cultural depth beyond its measured lines.

North of Lahaina, Kaanapali is shown before it became synonymous with master-planned resorts, golf courses, and one of Hawaii’s most famous beachfront destinations. The map’s inclusion of Kaanapali Beach, Puu Kekaʻa, Napili Bay, and Kapalua evokes a coastline of coves, lava promontories, and sandy strands edging the blue Pacific. Puu Kekaʻa, the dark volcanic headland at the beach’s northern end, has long been an iconic landmark, both visually commanding and culturally significant. Inland, the land rises swiftly, and the contour pattern reveals how abruptly the coastal plain gives way to ridges, gullies, and mountain slopes. This juxtaposition of beach and upland is central to the character of west Maui.

The topographical character of the map is especially compelling in its portrayal of the West Maui Mountains and Puu Kukui, one of Maui’s great volcanic summits and among the wettest places in Hawaii. Small valleys, intermittent streams, forested areas, and parks are rendered with the quiet precision of field survey, while the coastline charts the delicate meeting of ocean, settlement, and volcanic landform. Places such as Maalaea, Kanaha, Paia, and Olowalu situate Lahaina within Maui’s broader geography of harbors, beaches, plantation landscapes, and windward-leeward contrasts. Seen today, the map offers a fascinating record of an island landscape on the cusp of rapid change, before tourism and infrastructure redrew much of the human geography.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Lahaina
• Kaanapali
• Paia
• Makai
• Maalaea
• Maluhia
• Puu Kukui
• Kanaha
• Kapalua
• Lahaina Harbor
• West Maui Mountains
• Napili Bay
• Olowalu
• Puu Keka'a (Black Rock)
• Pu'ukoli'i
• Kaanapali Beach
• Roadways marked with a red line
• Various small valleys and water features, including rivers and lakes
• Forested areas and parks
• Coastline along the western shore of Maui

Historical context & cartographic details

• Historical topographical map titled “Lahaina”, showing Kaanapali, Lahaina, and the surrounding area in Hawaii.
• Original survey data dates from 1956, with a 1972 imprint.
• Produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
• The USGS is known for detailed topographical mapping used in environmental management, urban planning, recreation, and geological research.
• Lahaina is historically significant as a former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and later became a major tourism destination.
• Kaanapali is recognized for its beaches, resorts, and coastal setting.
• The map uses clear contour lines to show elevation changes across coastal areas, hills, and valleys.
• Vegetation and terrain are distinguished with a color palette using greens for lush areas and browns for drier regions.
• Since the map’s creation, Lahaina and Kaanapali have undergone considerable development, shifting from more rural landscapes toward tourism-centered communities.

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.