The State of Hawaiʻi is undertaking a project to digitally preserve its historical records through mapping. The Land Survey Division of the State Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is working to digitize around 90,000 maps, some dating back to the division’s founding in 1871. The goal is to develop a free, online, and searchable map service that will provide public access to historic cartographic data, combining archival preservation with modern technology.
The digitization of these maps aims to benefit more than just history enthusiasts. According to DAGS Director and Comptroller Keith Regan, in a statement from the Department of Accounting and General Services, they are planning to "save people time and money by allowing them to find the information online, at any time of day." This marks a shift from the current process, where individuals often need to hire professionals such as title experts to locate the necessary information. Once completed, residents will be able to access state survey information on their property by simply entering an address or tax map key.
Training on Esri Software, a leader in the geographic information system (GIS) industry, has already begun for staffers at Land Survey. This step is critical to ensure the accuracy and accessibility of the digital map service Land Survey is building. The division is taking a measured approach to the scale of the project, with Land Survey Administrator Reid Siarot estimating that it will take several years to complete.
But this project goes beyond streamlining the land survey process. It carries cultural significance that resonates with many in the community. "Many people want to know more about their family's ancestral lands," Siarot told the Department of Accounting and General Services. People are seeking insight into the past—what their ancestors' lands were like during the Great Māhele, who their kūpuna lived near, and how the land and its use have changed over time. The project seeks to integrate technological advancement with the historical and cultural heritage central to Hawaiʻi’s identity.
