Titled simply “Honolulu,” this US Geological Survey topographic map was compiled using survey data from 1959 and issued with a 1961 imprint, preserving a sharply detailed view of Hawaii’s capital at a pivotal mid-century moment. At a scale of 1:24,000, it brings Honolulu and Waikiki into close focus, tracing the meeting point of dense urban development, volcanic landforms, coastal recreation, and tropical vegetation. The map captures the city as Hawaii entered statehood-era transformation, with neighborhoods, roads, public spaces, and shoreline districts recorded in the precise visual language of federal cartography. Honolulu appears not merely as a destination, but as a working capital, port city, cultural center, and gateway to the Pacific.

The map was produced by the US Geological Survey, the scientific agency whose topographic work has shaped American understanding of terrain since its founding in 1879. USGS maps were designed for practical authority: land planning, engineering, resource management, defense, recreation, and scientific study all depended on their accuracy. In Hawaii, where volcanic geology, steep ridges, narrow valleys, and rapidly expanding urban areas meet in close proximity, this tradition of mapping carried particular importance. The agency’s disciplined use of contour lines, standardized symbols, and color-coded land cover creates a richly legible portrait of Oahu’s south shore. Every road, stream, crater, beach, and ridge is integrated into a coherent geographic system.

The topographic character of the sheet is especially compelling, with finely drawn contours describing the dramatic rise from the coastal plain toward the Koolau Range. These mountains form the green, rugged backdrop to Honolulu, their ridges and valleys revealing the volcanic architecture that defines eastern Oahu. Diamond Head, one of Hawaii’s most recognizable landmarks, is shown as both a geological formation and a cultural icon, its cratered profile anchoring the coastline near Waikiki. Punchbowl Crater, another volcanic feature, appears inland as a striking natural amphitheater embedded within the city. Together, these landforms show how Honolulu’s urban fabric has developed around, between, and upon the remnants of ancient volcanic activity.

Honolulu and Waikiki are depicted with the density and clarity of a city in motion. Reddish urban tones distinguish built-up neighborhoods, commercial districts, road networks, and developed corridors, while green areas mark vegetation, parks, and less urbanized slopes. Ala Moana, Waikiki’s shoreline, local residential areas, roads, railways, streams, and coastal features are all carefully rendered, offering a mid-20th century snapshot of land use before later decades of high-rise expansion and intensified tourism. Waikiki’s beaches, already world-famous, appear within a broader geographic setting that includes civic Honolulu, inland neighborhoods, volcanic landmarks, and the waters of the Pacific Ocean and Manal Bay.

The visual design is classic USGS: functional, exacting, and quietly beautiful. Its vibrant palette allows the viewer to distinguish urban settlement from vegetation, elevation, water, and infrastructure at a glance, while the contouring supplies a deeper sense of relief and spatial drama. This is a map of contrasts—beachfront leisure beside civic density, volcanic craters beside gridded streets, mountains descending toward a modern Pacific capital. Historically, it records Honolulu at a moment when postwar growth, statehood, tourism, and infrastructure development were reshaping the island’s south coast. As a cartographic document, “Honolulu” offers both technical precision and a vivid portrait of place, where natural grandeur and urban ambition meet.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Honolulu
• Waikiki
• Manal Bay
• Pacific Ocean
• Koolau Range
• Diamond Head
• Ala Moana
• Punchbowl Crater
• Local neighborhoods and residential areas
• Roads and railways
• Parks and recreational areas
• Coastlines and beaches
• Water bodies and streams

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the US Geological Survey as a historical 1:24,000 topographical map of Honolulu, Waikiki, and the surrounding area.
• Compiled using survey data from 1959 and published with a 1961 imprint.
• The US Geological Survey has produced and distributed topographic maps across the United States since its founding in 1879.
• USGS mapping has supported land use planning, resource management, recreation, and the study of natural resources and hazards.
• The map uses a vibrant color palette, with green tones for vegetation and reddish tones for urban and built-up areas.
• Detailed contour lines show elevation changes across the landscape, including the surrounding mountainous terrain.
• The map reflects a mid-20th-century view of Honolulu, capturing the urban development, natural features, and infrastructure of the area at that time.

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.