Published in 1966 from 1963 survey data, the USGS quadrangle titled “Hanalei” presents the north shore of Kauaʻi at a moment poised between rural quiet and modern resort development. At 1:24,000 scale, it gives an exceptionally intimate view of Hanalei, Princeville, and the surrounding valleys, bays, beaches, and ridgelines. The map belongs to the United States Geological Survey’s celebrated topographic tradition, combining scientific precision with a visually elegant language of contour, color, and symbol. Roads, streams, cultivated lands, shorelines, and steep mountain forms are rendered with clarity, creating a portrait of a landscape shaped equally by volcanic geology, Pacific weather, Hawaiian settlement, and the first stirrings of the tourism economy that would later transform this coastline.

The map’s most arresting feature is the dramatic meeting of ocean, river plain, and mountain. Hanalei Bay curves broadly into the island’s north shore, while the Hanalei River threads through low-lying agricultural lands before reaching the sea. Nearby, the Kalihiwai River and Lumahaʻi River cut their own paths through deeply incised terrain, emphasizing the hydrological richness of windward Kauaʻi. The USGS color scheme heightens this complexity: greens identify forested and vegetated areas, blue traces watercourses and the Pacific edge, and contour lines reveal the steep rise from coastal flats to rugged uplands. The resulting image is both practical and poetic, showing why Hanalei has long been prized for taro fields, river valleys, and expansive coastal views.

Princeville appears here before its later fame as one of Hawaiʻi’s signature resort landscapes, making the map especially evocative as a historical document. In the early 1960s, this area still retained strong agricultural associations, with open lands and sparse settlement patterns contrasting with the more intensely developed coastlines that would emerge in later decades. The name Princeville itself reaches back to the nineteenth century, when the area was associated with plantation enterprise and named in honor of Prince Albert Kamehameha. On this map, its position above the sea and near Hanalei Bay suggests why developers, visitors, and conservationists would all become drawn to the same spectacular geography: elevated views, fertile land, ocean access, and proximity to one of Kauaʻi’s most beautiful bays.

Westward, the map gestures toward some of the most storied scenery in the Hawaiian Islands. Hāʻena, Haena Beach, Mount Makana—widely known as Bali Hai—and the gateway to the Nāpali Coast occupy a landscape of cliffs, coves, and mythic resonance. Mount Makana has deep cultural significance in Hawaiian tradition and later entered global popular imagination through the romantic imagery associated with “Bali Hai.” The nearby Nāpali Coast and what is now Na Pali Coast State Park represent one of the world’s great coastal escarpments, where fluted volcanic cliffs plunge toward the Pacific. This topographic sheet captures the eastern approach to that dramatic terrain, allowing the viewer to read the natural architecture behind its legendary beauty.

As a USGS production, “Hanalei” also reflects the mid-twentieth-century American project of systematic landscape knowledge. Such maps supported land-use planning, resource management, engineering, conservation, and navigation, yet they now also serve as rich historical records of places in transition. The wetlands and river plains around Hanalei, now closely associated with the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, speak to the enduring ecological importance of this valley for waterbirds, agriculture, and floodplain systems. Since the map’s publication, the region has seen expanding tourism, infrastructure, conservation protections, and changing patterns of land ownership. This map preserves an earlier configuration of north Kauaʻi: a landscape of extraordinary beauty, still legible in its contours, rivers, shorelines, and place names.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Hanalei
• Princeville
• Kalihiwai River
• Hanalei River
• Kaʻapa
• Makai
• Lumaha'i Beach
• Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge
• Napali Coast
• Hāʻena
• Haena State Park
• Na Pali Coast State Park
• Mount Makana (Bali Hai)
• Haena Beach
• Hanalei Bay
• Limaha’i River

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), this historical topographical map shows Hanalei, Princeville, and the surrounding area of Kauaʻi, Hawaii.
• The map is based on 1963 survey data and was published with a 1966 imprint.
• The 1:24,000 scale provides detailed representation of terrain, including elevation contours, rivers, ocean shoreline, and forested areas.
• The map uses a color scheme to distinguish landforms and features, including greens for vegetated or elevated areas, white for higher terrain, and blue for water bodies.
• Hanalei and Princeville are highlighted as notable areas known for natural beauty, agricultural land, tourism, beaches, and scenic views.
• The map reflects a landscape that has likely changed since publication through shifts in tourism, agriculture, development, and conservation efforts.

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.