Island of Oahu

An uncommon pictorial map of Oahu from the 1930s.

“This cartograph is lined and colored to the thrills that greeted me when I first touched the Hawaiian Islands some 2,000 miles from America’s western edge…at the “Crossroads of the Pacific.” In the sun-filled corners of this island of Oahu you’ll find, as I did, a lifetime of high adventure.” – Text, upper right.

This whimsical pictorial map of Oahu was illustrated by the talented Ruth Taylor White. It’s one of the first editions of the popular souvenir piece, printed by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and distributed courtesy of the Hawaii Tourist Bureau around 1933. Several variants were issued and this is among the less common versions. A brightly colored image captures the inviting charm of the island, inhabited by a multi-ethnic group of smiling visitors and residents. Recreational opportunities, historic sites, major industries, and cultural features are labeled throughout. Of particular interest are the throngs of steamers arriving at Honolulu Harbor, several military installations, Diamond Head, and the Koʻolau Range. The road network reflects the construction boom of the late 1920s, with early rental agencies and tour companies taking advantage of the automobile’s surging popularity.

Ruth Taylor White was a dominant figure in the Golden Age of pictorial cartography, renowned for her vibrant and whimsical “Cartographs” that favored regional personality over geographic precision. Her signature style, defined by vibrant color palettes and humorous vignettes, played a pivotal role in 1930s tourism, particularly through her iconic work for the Hawaii Tourist Bureau. These maps were instrumental in rebranding the islands for the American mainland, transitioning Hawaii’s image from a remote outpost to a vibrant, exotic playground during the Interwar Period.

Source: Los Angeles Public Library