1897 Hawaiian Government Survey | Molokai
By: W.D. Alexander & F.S. Dodge
Date: 1885 / 1903 (dated) Washington D.C.
Dimensions: 25.5 x 48.25 inches (64.75 x 122.5 cm)
This is a large antique map of Molokai published in 1897 under the direction of Surveyor General, W.D. Alexander. The map offers unique depiction of the islands' topography and geographic detail including elevation changes, land ownership, land deemed for agricultural purposes, and homesteads. The names of land owners are noted throughout as are many towns, such as Kauakakai, Kalaeloa, Kauhaka, and the leprosy colony of Kalaupapa (est. 1866) on the north side of the island to name a few.
Though no key can be found within the map relating to the various colors used, a key for another map of the same publication published tells us the following.
- Blue Dot: School
- Red Dot: Post Office
- Green Shade: Public Lands
- Yellow Shade: Homestead Settlement Tracts
- Yellow Borders: Grazing Lands
- Dashed Blue Borders: Forest Lands not in Reserves
- Blue Diagonal Lines: Wet Lands (Rice and Taro)
Molokai is both the fifth largest of fifth most populated island of the eight majors islands that make up the Hawaiian Islands. As the island has very few sandy beaches, tourism never really took hold as it did on many of the other islands. It's land is primarily used for agrarian as it is home to many cattle and supports an economy based around sugar cane and pineapple production.
Condition: This folding map was flattened and linen-backed for preservation and presentation purposes. There are a few areas of fold separations found in the lower left. Fold line are apparent, though not as noticeable as shown in the scanned images of the map
Inventory #11905
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