Island of Maui

An uncommon pictorial map of Maui from the 1930s.

“This cartograph is lined and colored to memories of the good times I found on the Island of Maui. That it is the “Valley Island” you will have no doubt when you look down for Haleakala’s 10,000 foot top across the sweep of checkered plain that’s anchored to a pile of the sheerest, greenest peaks on earth.” – Text, lower left.

This whimsical pictorial map of Maui 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, though 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 pineapple and sugar plantations, Haleakala Crater National Park, Maalaea Airport, and the Ancient Capital of Lahaina. 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