The Elevation of Hawaii

Hawaii Elevation is an interactive map which visualizes elevation data on the Hawaii island of O'ahu. O'ahu is the third-largest of the Hawaiian islands and home to around two thirds of the state's population. The map uses data from the Hawaii Statewide GIS Program's Geospatial Data Portal to show how volcanic activity has shaped the island's geology.

The map includes a slide control which allows the user to control the height of elevation shown on the map. As you raise the height you can see the Koʻolau and the Waiʻanae ranges emerge on the map. The larger of the two, the Koʻolau Range, originally formed as a single mountain. What you can see on the Hawaii Elevation map is the remains of the western half of the original volcano. The entire eastern half of the volcano slid into the Pacific Ocean in prehistoric times. The more western, smaller Waiʻanae Range is what remains of an ancient shield volcano. The last point to emerge on the Hawaii Elevation map is the crest of the Wai'anae Range, called Kaʻala. At 4,025 feet Ka'ala is the highest peak on Oʻahu.