Rare Old Map of Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii by USGS, 1957: Lanikai, Kaneohe & Waimanalo
Restored in our London workshop from the original 1978 map and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
The Collector’s Offer
Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.The Collector’s Offer
Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.
Restored from the original 1978 map and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
Choose your size
Choose your finish
(More info)
Gift message & custom finish
If you want to add a gift message, or a finish (jigsaw, aluminium board, etc.) that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
Own a piece of history
8,000+ five-star reviews
Published in 1978 from a map originally created in 1957, the USGS topographic quadrangle titled “Haiku” captures the windward side of Oahu...
Continue readingPublished 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.
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.
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.
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.
Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.
Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.
We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.
- We can deliver directly to the recipient
- Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
- Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
- Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
- 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide
If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.
Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.
We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.
Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.
Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.
Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.
If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.
Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.
Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.
Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.
We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.
Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.
Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.
All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.
If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.
Every Unique Maps piece begins with an authentic cartographic source or an original design from our London studio.
For our historic maps, we source rare originals from libraries, archives, auction houses and private collections around the world. We carefully restore each map for print—repairing age-related damage, balancing colour and improving clarity while preserving its original detail, texture and character.
Once restored, the map is prepared for your chosen size and finish. Your piece is then printed and, where selected, framed close to its delivery destination.
Our map prints use acid-free 200gsm archival matte paper and fade-resistant pigment inks, creating a rich, non-glossy finish designed to last. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
Canvas, cotton-rag and other specialist presentations are also available. Learn more about our materials and finishes.
Personalising your map
You can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. For personalised designs, we send a proof before printing and you can request changes before approval.
For more complex bespoke commissions, contact our design team.
Original or Aged
Choose Original for true-to-source colour, or Aged for a warmer, richer antique character created with our specialist ageing process. See examples of our Aged maps.
We’ve been restoring and producing maps and art prints since 1984, and we stand behind every piece.
Every order is covered by our 10-year guarantee and damage-free delivery guarantee. If your piece arrives damaged, we’ll replace or remake it free of charge. If anything else isn’t right, contact our workshop team and we’ll put it right promptly.
See our returns and refund policy for full details.
Or try searching for something!
