1982 Wright Surfing Map of the Hawaiian Islands

This is a 1982 Allen B. Wright Jr. surfing map of Hawaii.

A Closer Look

The map depicts all eight islands in the archipelago with Nihau on the left and Hawaii on the right. Each island is labeled, as are cities and towns on each island, except for Kahoolawe and Nihau. Roads are illustrated as well, including ungraded dirt or jeep trails. Most importantly for this piece is that myriad surfing locales are identified along the coast of the islands, with short descriptions of a large number of them appearing in the lower left as well as the upper right, where descriptions of the beaches on the island of Hawaii are situated. The whole is surrounded by a border featuring color photographs of swells and surfers. Four inset maps occupy the four corners and illustrate Hanalei Bay on Kauai, Waikiki and the North Shore on Oahu, and Honolua Bay on Maui. The surfing at Hanalei Bay is the best on Kauai, while Honolua Bay, if the surf is right, can provide some of the best surfing around. Waimea Bay and Pipeline on the North Shore, however, are world famous, while the North Shore has some of the world's finest beaches and bays.

Surfing in Hawaii

Surfing in Hawaii, the birthplace of the sport, is not just a pastime but a deeply embedded cultural tradition, a spiritual experience, and a testament to the islands' connection with the Pacific. The ancient Hawaiians revered the art of 'he'e nalu' (wave sliding) as a communion between land, sea, and the individual, harnessing the power of waves on their wooden 'papa he'e nalu' (surfboards). Today, iconic spots like Waikiki, North Shore's Banzai Pipeline, and Maui's Jaws have become global meccas for surf enthusiasts, attracting professionals and novices alike to challenge the islands' legendary waves. In Hawaii, surfing transcends being a mere sport - it is an embodiment of aloha, history, and the rhythm of island life.

Publication History and Census

This map was created by Allen B. Wright Jr. and published in 1982. We are aware of three examples present in the institutional collections of the Library of Congress, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. We are aware of at least other example entering the private market.